Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 67
Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
#1650Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1651Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
It's me again
Swing Joined: 5/29/19
#1652Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 5/29/19 at 3:35pmIs Amra still in this on Broadway? She has been in it for years...
#1653Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1654Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 5/29/19 at 4:16pmI'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.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#1655Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
#1656Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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?
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
It's me again
Swing Joined: 5/29/19
#1657Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 5/30/19 at 3:15pmI 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.
#1658Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1659Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1660Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Updated On: 6/3/19 at 06:16 PM
#1661Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/3/19 at 6:23pm
https://www.maryclaireking.com/
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Updated On: 6/3/19 at 06:23 PM
#1662Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#1663Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1664Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/4/19 at 4:55pm
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1665Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#1666Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#1667Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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).
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Updated On: 6/6/19 at 02:51 PM
hveasey
Understudy Joined: 3/27/19
#1668Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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
Swing Joined: 5/29/19
Dallas Theatre Fan
Stand-by Joined: 3/10/13
#1670Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
#1671Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/22/19 at 8:22pm
Rachel Schur is on for Matron Mama Morton tonite (per her Instagram page).
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1672Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1673Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/30/19 at 4:48pm
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Meet-the-Current-Cast-of-CHICAGO-on-Broadway-20190630
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#1674Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
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