Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 81

[ACL2006]

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?

[EDSOSLO858]

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. 

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

[The Distinctive Baritone]

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]

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]

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. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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

Updated On: 8/23/21 at 05:50 PM

[ACL2006]

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?

[EDSOSLO858]

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.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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.  

Updated On: 8/23/21 at 06:47 PM

[JBradshaw]

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]

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. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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

Today was the first day of rehearsals.

[Nolan LuPone]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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

YES.

[BCfitasafiddle]

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]

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]

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/

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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

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

[ACL2006]

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

 

[BrodyFosse123]

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]

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]

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…