Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 81

[ACL2006]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2000

Posted: 8/23/21 at 2:33pm

Quite possibly whoever they had for Billy backed out last minute and they could be scrambling now. Can't ask Tom Hewitt since he's going into Hadestown. Tony Yazbeck has Flying Over Sunset. Wayne Brady is in Los Angeles. Is Jerry Springer free?

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.

[EDSOSLO858]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2001

Posted: 8/23/21 at 2:42pm

The official Chicago Instagram page has confirmed Bianca Marroquín as Velma Kelly!

Updated: Ryan Lowe and Ray Bokhour will return to the production as Mary Sunshine and Amos Hart. Entire ensemble mentioned by Ermengarde just earlier has also been confirmed. 

We are the New York Knicks! / We are the New York Knicks! / We are the New York Knicks! / We are the New York Knicks! / Say "Go New York, go New York, go!” / (Go New York, go New York, go!) / Say "Go New York, go New York, go!" / (Go New York, go New York, go!)

Updated On: 8/23/21 at 02:42 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2002

Posted: 8/23/21 at 2:42pm

They are probably stunt-casting Billy Flynn and are waiting to hear back in regards to offers and/or wrap up negotiations.

[Lunalaaaaaaaa]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2003

Posted: 8/23/21 at 2:48pm

Lillias White and the Chicago ensemble cast have also been confirmed on their Instagram page! I wonder if they will confirm Roxie and Billy Flynn's casting on Wednesday?

[everythingtaboo]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2004

Posted: 8/23/21 at 3:07pm

While not a "stale fart" as someone else said, I really am hoping for a WOW! Billy announcement to jazz up this casting. Love to see some of my favorite performers up there, but at least a little stunt casting couldn't have hurt. 

I do wonder if bigger-name stars are worried about Covid in the theatres, and that's keeping them from coming to Broadway in the fall. 

"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2005

Posted: 8/23/21 at 5:50pm

I would love to see Jason Danieley (again) as Billy Flynn.  Another good Billy is Ryan Silverman.  Also, BWW confirms Ana Villafane as Roxie.  https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Bianca-Marroquin-Ana-Villafae-Lillias-White-Will-Lead-CHICAGO-on-Broadway-20210823?utm_source=newsletterdaily&utm_medium=email

"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: 8/23/21 at 05:50 PM

[ACL2006]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2006

Posted: 8/23/21 at 6:22pm

Very odd Billy is the only casting not announced. I wonder if we'll find out on Wednesday during the GMA performance?

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.

[EDSOSLO858]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2007

Posted: 8/23/21 at 6:29pm

ACL2006 said: "Very odd Billy is the only casting not announced. I wonder if we'll find out on Wednesday during the GMA performance?"

How do you know they're doing GMA? They haven't revealed they're performing yet.

We are the New York Knicks! / We are the New York Knicks! / We are the New York Knicks! / We are the New York Knicks! / Say "Go New York, go New York, go!” / (Go New York, go New York, go!) / Say "Go New York, go New York, go!" / (Go New York, go New York, go!)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2008

Posted: 8/23/21 at 6:47pm

Bianca Marroquin just posted this on her Facebook page, 6 minutes ago.  "Chicago" will perform on GMA on Wed. Aug. 25th at 8:49 a.m.   I'm assuming that's EST.  Yay!   P.S.  I'm a bit sad that previous cast member Gary Cooper will not return with the cast.  

"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: 8/23/21 at 06:47 PM

[JBradshaw]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2009

Posted: 8/23/21 at 7:30pm

…and all that Bianca

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F31zoz5jgv4

I hope she rocks a long a$s ponytail as Velma. She did a long pony as Roxie for a short time and I loved it.

Sadly they tend to suck at wigs 50% of the time at the ol’Chicago

[jonartdesigns]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2010

Posted: 8/23/21 at 7:50pm

If Billy stunt casting fails (I cringe at the thought of a lackluster "gun" note) There's always Brent Barrett, Chris Sieber or Jason Daniely. 

"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2011

Posted: 8/23/21 at 7:59pm

Today was the first day of rehearsals.

"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)

[Nolan LuPone]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2012

Posted: 8/23/21 at 8:04pm

jonartdesigns said: "If Billy stunt casting fails (I cringe at the thought of a lackluster "gun" note) There's always Brent Barrett, Chris Sieberor Jason Daniely."

Christopher Sieber is working on the Company revival right now

[BCfitasafiddle]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2013

Posted: 8/23/21 at 8:29pm

Although not the first time, how wonderful is it that the three leading ladies of Chicago are all women of color?! Not to mention how great it is that there is a LATINX pairing of Velma and Roxie. Definitely worth celebrating.

[Tag]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2014

Posted: 8/23/21 at 8:51pm

Is that something to celebrate now?  They've had pretty diverse casting for the better part of 20+ years...

[blaxx]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2015

Posted: 8/23/21 at 9:07pm

Tag said: "Is that something to celebrate now? They've had pretty diverse casting for the better part of 20+ years..."

Considering that diversity on Broadway is still a long uphill battle, yes, it will be something to celebrate until you and I die.

Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2016

Posted: 8/23/21 at 9:08pm

YES.

"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)

[BCfitasafiddle]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2017

Posted: 8/23/21 at 9:18pm

Tag said: "Is that something to celebrate now? They've had pretty diverse casting for the better part of 20+ years..."

Yes, it is. 

Broadway has been gone for 16+ months. No one knew exactly what to expect with long running shows. I'm excited to see fresh takes on Roxie and Velma from two women talented women of color who have never played these roles before (to my knowledge) and to see the great Lillias White on Broadway once again. This is celebratory news.

[Lunalaaaaaaaa]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2018

Posted: 8/23/21 at 9:38pm

BCfitasafiddle said: "Tag said: "Is that something to celebrate now? They've had pretty diverse casting for the better part of 20+ years..."

Yes, it is.

Broadway has been gone for 16+ months. No one knew exactly what to expect with long running shows. I'm excited to see fresh takes on Roxie and Velma from two women talented women of color who have never played these roles before (to my knowledge) and to see the great Lillias White on Broadway once again. This is celebratory news."

Lillias White coming back to Broadway, quite possibly, the best news of today.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2019

Posted: 8/24/21 at 5:32am

Jeff Gorti is one of the three newest Chicago cast members.  According to his Instagram profile, he's a Billy Flynn u/s.   https://www.jeffgorti.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)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2020

Posted: 8/24/21 at 5:42am

New cast member Celina Nightengale.  https://www.celinanightengale.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)

[ACL2006]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2021

Posted: 8/24/21 at 6:20am

Joseph London is also back as the Mary Sunshine/Amos standby.

Understudies:

Velma: Mary Claire King, Christine C. Smith

Roxie: Jessica Ernest, Angel Reda

Billy: Brian O'Brien, Jeff Gorti

Amos: Drew Nellessen

Mama, Arian Keddell, Celina Nightengale

 

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.

[BrodyFosse123]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2022

Posted: 8/24/21 at 7:20am

I'm excited to see fresh takes on Roxie and Velma from two women talented women of color who have never played these roles before (to my knowledge)?

You must be kidding.  Both roles have been played my many nationalities and ethnicities.  The original Broadway Velma and her replacement were Latinas: Chita Rivera and Lenora Nemetz.  Not to mention the endless POC that have played both roles in the revival.  

[willep]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2023

Posted: 8/24/21 at 7:35am

I didn’t read that comment as saying the roles have never been played by women of color before, just that these specific women haven’t played them.

[Plannietink08]

Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#2024

Posted: 8/24/21 at 7:49am

BrodyFosse123 said: "I'm excited to see fresh takes on Roxie and Velma from two women talented women of color who have never played these roles before (to my knowledge)?

You must be kidding. Both roles have been played my many nationalities and ethnicities. The original Broadway Velma and her replacement were Latinas: Chita Rivera and Lenora Nemetz. Not to mention the endless POC that have played both roles in the revival. "

They meant the actors have never played the roles before…

"Charlotte, we're Jewish"