Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 55

[brettarnett]

Posted: 2/11/18 at 8:49pm

Interesting as Hurder was probably the funniest thing in today's matinee, I kinda wished she was on for Roxie. Although Bianca definitely picked up steam after Roxie, but I was very unsure of her after Funny Honey. I will second that both leading ladies seem to be overpowered by the band amplification.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/11/18 at 9:40pm

Bianca Marroquin has done the role of Roxie, off and on, since around 2003.  On Broadway and  on tour, she has managed to put her own personal touches to the role.  

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 2/12/18 at 12:44am

I have made a vow not to return to this show until there is a promise the Amra is gone for good. I've seen her twice, and admittedly her Velma is more interesting from the front row (a great deal of subtle, playful nuances that I doubt play any further than the first three rows), but she is really just giving a technically perfect, bland performance. I'd love it if Carly Hughes would come back.

[ethan231h]

Posted: 2/12/18 at 1:21am

jonartdesigns said: "I have made a vow not to return to this show until there is a promise the Amra is gone for good. I've seen her twice, and admittedly her Velma is more interesting from the front row (a great deal of subtle, playful nuances that I doubt play any further than the first three rows), but she is really just giving a technically perfect, bland performance. I'd love it if Carly Hughes would come back."

I would love to see Carly come back as well, also would kill to see Ciara Renee as Velma one day....I would buy a ticket in a heartbeat to see her in this.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/12/18 at 6:22am

With regards to understudies, Donna Marie Asbury usually goes on when the regular Velma doesn't.  Gabrielle McClinton (the other Velma understudy) rarely performs the role.  I think she's done it once (recently) when she showed her pic on  Instagram.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/12/18 at 9:34am

The producers really need to clean house at Chicago. How many cast members have been there for 10 years +? I'd see the show immediately if they had a brand new cast from top to bottom.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 9:30pm

Ruthie Henshall as Mama Morton?  This is interesting.  https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ruthie-Henshall-Sarah-Soetaert-and-Josefina-Gabrielle-to-Lead-CHICAGOs-Return-to-the-West-End-20180215

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 11:34pm

Chicago has become the nursing home for Broadway warhorses and a haven for reality TV show “stars”....next up: Omarosa Manigualt.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 11:44pm

ACL2006 said: "The producers really need to clean house at Chicago. How many cast members have been there for 10 years +?I'd see the show immediately if they had a brand new cast from top to bottom."

I agree but Barry & Fran don't care...the show is tired and those dudes Brian O'Brien & Patrick Sands have been with the show for over 10 years

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 6:10am

Robbie2 said: "ACL2006 said: "The producers really need to clean house at Chicago. How many cast members have been there for 10 years +?I'd see the show immediately if they had a brand new cast from top to bottom."

I agree but Barry & Fran don't care...the show is tired and those dudes Brian O'Brien & Patrick Sands have been with the show for over 10 years"     I have seen Brian O Brien perform as Billy Flynn (back in 2012), though I've never had a chance to see Jason Patrick Sands as Billy.  I remember Brian holding that "the....gun" note for the longest time.  Jason Patrick understudies for Billy and Amos.  They and other veteran players continue in their roles because they are very talented.  The producers of the show recognize that, even if some theatre fans do not.    By the way, I'm seeing the national tour of "Chicago" tomorrow evening (Sat. Feb. 17th ) with Dylis Croman as Roxie Hart and Lana Gordon as Velma Kelly.  I live in Austin, Texas (central TX) and am driving to Dallas (195 miles) and then to Ft. Worth (32 miles).  It's all worth it, to me. The only thing I don't like about the Bass Performance Hall (Ft. Worth) are the seats in the front row section.  They tend to "move" and gives me a bit of motion sickness.  I might have to take Dramamine.  (I am not kidding.)

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 2/17/18 at 3:36am

Why is Ruthie as Mama interesting? Just curios. 

Ruthie included “when your good to mama” on her last album. 

Disclaimer - I love Ruthie. During her stint as Velma on broadway the Shubert box office used to say the Henshall boy is here again. She my fav 

 

 

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Ruthie Henshall as Mama Morton? This is interesting. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ruthie-Henshall-Sarah-Soetaert-and-Josefina-Gabrielle-to-Lead-CHICAGOs-Return-to-the-West-End-20180215"

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 7:23pm

Here are some of the pictures of my backstage visit to "Chicago" at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas.  

left to right:  Dylis Croman (Roxie Hart), Daniel Gutierrez (Billy Flynn u/s, Fred Casely u/s), Roman Castillo Jr. and Brent Barrett (Billy Flynn).  

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 7:26pm

with the delightful Lana Gordon (Velma Kelly) and Jennifer Fouche (Matron Mama Morton)

Updated On: 2/18/18 at 07:26 PM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 7:28pm

I had a shirt created with Pop, Six, Squish (front) and this on the back.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 7:37pm

with Dylis Croman (Roxie Hart).  The intent was to form a 2 and a 0, to signify the 20th time I've seen the show.  

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 8:58pm

The current "Chicago" National Tour Cast:

Velma Kelly:  Lana Gordon

Roxie Hart:  Dylis Croman

Fred Casely:  Michal Kolaczkowski

Sergeant Fogarty:  Adam Vanek

Amos Hart:  Paul Vogt

Liz:  Lauren Gemelli

Annie:  Tiffany Mellard

June:  Laura Oldham

Hunyak:  Celia Mei Rubin

Mona:  Sophie Lee Morris

Matron "Mama" Morton:  Jennifer Fouche

Billy Flynn:  Brent Barrett

Mary Sunshine:  D. Ratell

Go-To-Hell-Kitty:  Tanya Haglund

Harry:  Daniel Gutierrez

The Doctor:  Taylor Collins

Aaron:  Colt Adam Weiss

The Judge:  Taylor Collins

The Bailiff:  Deon Ridley

Martin Harrison:  Daniel Gutierrez

Court Clerk:  Deon Ridley

The Jury:  Matthew Winnegge

UNDERSTUDIES:

for Roxie Hart:  Lauren Gemelli, Evelyn Christina Tonn

For Velma Kelly:  Lauren Gemelli, Laura Oldham

For Billy Flynn:  Daniel Gutierrez, Deon Ridley

For Amos Hart:  Matthew Winnegge, Corey Wright

For Matron "Mama" Morton:  Laura Oldham, Evelyn Christina Tonn

For Mary Sunshine:  C. Caballero

For Fred Casely:  Daniel Gutierrez

Dance Captain:  Christophe Caballero

Swings:  Christophe Caballero, Evelyn Christina Tonn, Corey Wright

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 11:25pm

could you possibly post a cast list(w/understudies) for the tour since there isn't one posted on the show's website? 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/19/18 at 9:35am

ACL, you'll find that information in the post just before yours.  I must say that Michal Kolaczkowski is one sexy Fred Casely.  He does a moving pec thing that is "memorable."  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/19/18 at 10:00am

thanks for the cast list. Looks like the tour has some long running vets in it, too(Caballero, Gutierrez, Oldham, Tonn, Corey Wright).

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/19/18 at 1:28pm

ACL:  I finally met Daniel Gutierrez.  I spoke a little bit with Laura Oldham and Corey Wright.  The person who plays Fred Casely is quite the looker.  I finally had a chance to meet Lana Gordon and also spoke with the lady who played Mama Morton.  Her voice reminded me of Patti LaBelle.  She smiled when I mentioned that to her.  I'm almost certain that Lana Gordon will return to Broadway Chicago, as AFW (your favorite) finishes her current run and Terra C joins the tour once more.  The crowd was a little subdued at the Bass Performance Hall.  Paul Vogt was very good as Amos, as well as Dylan Ratell as Mary Sunshine.

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 2/21/18 at 1:47am

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UpoUBqo1-os
two of the bests

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/22/18 at 5:59pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTpf-HejscE  New promo video for Chicago West End

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 2/22/18 at 6:29pm

It’s funny cause the Josefina pic is from her Roxie days and Ruthies pic is of her as Velma from like fifteen years ago (I actually have a copy of that picture framed and on my wall)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/24/18 at 11:08am

I was looking thru the cast list on the official website.  There is a new cast member by the name of  

• Pilar Millhollen

Also, Angel Reda is back.....this time as a Mama Morton understudy.   https://chicagothemusical.com/cast.php

Updated On: 2/24/18 at 11:08 AM

[guidocontini2]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 10:36am

Thanks for updating the news and cast list for the tour! I've seen the show several times in Asia last year and found that several cast members go on to current US tour. I would like to ask  Patti LuPone FANatic: How's Brent Barrett's performance when you saw the show? I didn't found you mention him but thanks for sharing the picture with him backstage~

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "I was looking thru the cast list on the official website. There is a new cast member by the name of

• Pilar Millhollen

She was in Asia tour last year, and I know she' toured Japan with the show 3 times (including last year).