Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 67

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/23/19 at 8:44pm

Donna Marie Asbury interview by WNYC.   https://www.wnyc.org/story/donna-marie-asburys-20-years-chicago-musical/?fbclid=IwAR3oCdSd4jQE4PzNjqyGDTbFbtfwC9_kTZXvVvvM3VWx7AsvFhi8OAMFR_A

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/23/19 at 9:31pm

This is the first time I've seen this video.  I certainly wasn't aware of Chicago when it opened in Nov. 1996.  The interviewer is Steve Kmetko.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HM0GR-xyVI

[It's me again]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 3:35pm

Is Amra still in this on Broadway? She has been in it for years...

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 4:02pm

Yes, AFW is in it until her current run ends on July 14th.  Either Lana Gordon or Terra C will take over the role.  Honestly, there are not that many Velma Kelly replacements.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 4:16pm

I'm sure there's plenty of newbies out there more than capable of playing Velma. AFW needs to go, she was marking it about 8 years ago, don't know why the producers keep bringing her back.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 5:24pm

I agree- granted every time I have seen her, I can't say she wasn't impressive.  However, the notion that this is a role that others can't play well is just dumb.  Get some new blood in there, I've gone to see some of the stunt casting and every time Amra was the co-star.  In that instance it's just not exciting to see her over and over again.  The role isn't Christine, Evita, or even Elphaba, it just seems lazy on the part of casting and/or producers. I don't even need it to be a name, I just want someone new at some point.  I was hoping this would happen with the recent shake-ups that have been happening with the production, but alas, more of the same.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 5:34pm

Maybe Naomi C Walley will return to the cast, once she finishes filming her part in the In The Heights film?

[It's me again]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 3:15pm

I saw Amra in London in 2010, that's the only time I saw her. I thought she danced well, sang competently but wasn't much of an actress. I appreciate Velma is a physically demanding role and there probably aren't that many who could do it, but I just don't think Amra is Velma. She has been doing this role for a LONG time and it's just so boring for the audience not to see another performer try this role. I would also love to see a new production of this show. The all black staging and costumes are way past their sell by date, Kander, Ebb and Fosse deserve something better.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 7:21pm

It's me again said: "I saw Amra in London in 2010, that's the only time I saw her. I thought she danced well, sang competently but wasn't much of an actress. I appreciate Velma is a physically demanding role and there probably aren't that many who could do it, but I just don't think Amra is Velma. She has been doing this role for a LONG time and it's just so boring for the audience not to see another performer try this role. I would also love to see a new production of this show. The all black staging and costumes are way past their sell by date, Kander, Ebb and Fosse deserve something better." 

 'I'll just comment on the last parts of your reply.  The all black staging and costumes are an integral part of the show.  It's part of the show's continued success.  It's classic, simple and effective.  "Chicago" has lasted more than 22 years for these and other reasons.  The show's original creators would be (are) proud of the continued success of the revival.  Other shows have come and gone. "Chicago" continues and will continue to flourish here in the U.S.  and around the world.  

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/2/19 at 5:54pm

At the last minute, Donna Marie Asbury is on tonight as Velma Kelly.  Her last day with the show is tomorrow, June 3, 2019.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 6:16pm

https://chicagothemusical.com/cast/   Mary Claire King is listed as the new(est) Velma Kelly understudy.  According to Playbill Vault, she will also play the character of Liz.  June 3, 2019 is listed as her first day.

Updated On: 6/3/19 at 06:16 PM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 6:23pm

https://www.maryclaireking.com/   

 

Updated On: 6/3/19 at 06:23 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 7:53pm

I think Donna's last day was yesterday. Can't imagine she'd end her run on a Monday.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 8:36pm

Her last day  is today.  She mentioned it some time ago on social media.  Yesterday was her last time as Velma Kelly (a last minute occurrence).  Actually today is a special day in Chicago history.  On this date in 1975, Chicago opened with Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/4/19 at 4:55pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay/VIDEO-Donna-Marie-Asbury-Takes-Final-Bow-in-CHICAGO-After-20-Year-Tenure-20190604

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 6/4/19 at 7:03pm

So upset I wasn't able to catch her last Velma, I'd never seen her do it before and had a feeling it might happen but I was just getting home from the airport that night. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/4/19 at 9:54pm

yeah, there was no possible way I could've made it in on Sunday or last night to see her.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/6/19 at 2:51pm

with fellow Texan Dylis Croman (Roxie Hart) and Lana Gordon (Velma Kelly) outside the "Chicago" stage door at the Jesse Jones Theatre in Houston, Texas.  It was the 25th time I had seen the show (12 on Broadway, 13 on tour).
 

Updated On: 6/6/19 at 02:51 PM

[hveasey]

Posted: 6/10/19 at 7:42pm

Did anyone see Desi Oakley as Roxie in her first two-week run in May? She's back next week and I'm curious how she is in the role.

Updated On: 6/10/19 at 07:42 PM

[It's me again]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 4:04pm

When is AFW retiring?

[Dallas Theatre Fan]

Posted: 6/21/19 at 8:54pm

two random questions,

1.) When did the show start doing short contracts for the leads?  Besides AFW and R. Lowe, the leads usually leave after 3-4 months.  

2.) When did the show start stunt casting?  I think it started around the same time the movie came out, but I can be wrong.   The show still stunt cast, but it doesn't' seem as much as they did about 10 years ago.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/22/19 at 8:22pm

Rachel Schur is on for Matron Mama Morton tonite  (per her Instagram page).

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/27/19 at 10:03am

This is another opportunity to see Donna Marie Asbury perform.  Her previous 54 Below concert was a sold-out success.  https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/AT-THIS-PERFORMANCE-Returns-To-The-Green-Room-July-1st-20190626?fbclid=IwAR0lWiYX1el5mzQg5C4dnnlgCfBT9nJWKBnEXxpuOXJWJiwySm5ozGIN0nA

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 4:48pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Meet-the-Current-Cast-of-CHICAGO-on-Broadway-20190630

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 6:07pm

Saw the show last Friday. Yikes, what a mess! Most of the cast looked bored as hell, starting with Amra Faye Wright, who makes it more than obvious she's been doing the show for almost 20 years. Desi Oakley has little to no stage presence, and while her vocals her fine, I kept forgetting her character existed. The Billy, Mama, and Amos were great but couldn't save the show. They need to clean out most of the cast and just close this already.