Did Anyone See Ann Reinking in Chicago In 1977?

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 2:38pm

Did anyone see Ann in Chicago when she took over as Roxie in 1977, in the original Chicago.

Ann was very young back than, and she was a lot younger than Verdon. Was Ann's take on character youthful compared to Verdon's take? Or was Ann still raspy and crude like she was in the 96 Revival?

I have someone in the family who saw Ann in the original as Roxie, and they said she was FABULOUS.

So I was wondering if any you older members here caught her as Roxie in 77? How was she? If you also saw her in the Revival in 96 - was her take on the character similar, or very different?
Updated On: 6/27/05 at 02:38 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 2:54pm

I's also like to hear about her performance as Cassie in A CHORUS LINE if anyone saw it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 4:19pm

Anybody??

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 5:19pm

I didn't see Annie's performance as Roxie in the original CHICAGO. I'm sure that she had the same take as Gwen did. However, I would have loved to have seen Liza do it while Gwen was out sick. That would have been killer!!!

I also didn't see her play Cassie. My first Cassie was the lovely and talented Vicki Frederick. I'm sure that Annie was an amazing Cassie. She was the first one to switch the opening in the skirt to the left leg, which is how all Cassies where it now. It makes the skirt work more in "The Music And The Mirror."

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 5:23pm

For some reason I think Ann's take on the character would be different from Gwen and her take.

Gwen was 50 when she played Roxie, and Ann was only in her late 20's. I doubt a youthful Ann played Roxie like a 50 year old.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 5:27pm

Ah but I can only imagine that Bob would want to keep it fairly close to that of Gwen's. I'm sure that it would indeed have to vary some since Gwen was older than Annie was but in general I think she would have followed most of what Gwen did. I'll find out for sure though and let you know.

[CJR]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 5:32pm

My first Cassie was the lovely and talented Vicki Frederick.

*falls over and dies*

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 5:36pm

Okay Thanks WonderBoy, let me know..

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 5:45pm

Updated On: 6/27/05 at 05:45 PM

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 5:46pm

my mother saw Chorus Line w/ Ann... she loved it

[justme2]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 6:09pm

From what I've seen of Anne Reinking, she always seems to be channeling Gwen Verdon (in voice and dance), so I agree with Wonderboy....she would have kept her performance as close to Verdon as possible.

[dry2olives]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 6:33pm

I saw 26 year old Ann Reinking as Roxie with Lenore Nemitz as Velma. The rest of the original leads were still there.

I can't say I remember much about her specifically. It was one of my first Broadway shows. I remember thinking she sounded an awful lot like Gwen Verdun did on the album and it was a little odd to have her say "I'm older now than I ever intended to be."

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 6:36pm

Finally someone! Thanks for you input - Olives.

There is no doubt Ann sounds similar to Gwen. I would just imagine her Roxie had a more youthful feel.

[CJR]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 7:23pm

WonderBoy -- I know the picture of V you were trying to post there... I uploaded it lol

[morosco]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 8:28pm

For A CHORUS LINE they must have lowered the key for Ann to sing "Music and the Mirror" but I just can't imagine what she sounded like singing that role. McKechnie was a belt soprano was she not?

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 8:32pm

Hmm. I wonder if they did lower keys for Ann when did ACL. Though Ann's voice was MUCH stronger when she was younger - especially in the 70's - she was most certainly not a belt soprano.

So anyone know if they did lower keys for her as Cassie?

[Glebb]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 8:50pm

I could kick myself for not seeing that production. I was living in the city and saw the commercials on tv every day. Too young to realize what I was missing. I did see AR in Sweet Charity and got to go back and have my pic taken with her. :)

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 8:56pm

Question. How did Ann sound singing the funky "Im The Bravest Individual"? It sounds like the new arrangement was modeled after Allen's soulful voice. So I'm curious to know how Ann sounded singing the funky version?

[Glebb]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 9:03pm

This is many years ago but I remember being impressed that she sounded a lot like Gwen. I saw Debbie and Ann. Ann wore a very short blonde wig.

[morosco]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 9:08pm

Ann in "the wig".

[DAME]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 9:09pm

I saw Ann and Chita. I think Chita had just either come back to the show or was about to leave. I was very young ( It was the same NY trip I saw Grease at the Royal theater). I rember she had a blonde wig on and I rember liking her. I was also lucky enough to see it when Liza took over ( I went with my mom while my dad was on a buisness trip thing) . I was mesmerized. She told everyone I was mesmerized. That should have been her first clue I was gay.

Updated On: 6/27/05 at 09:09 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 9:18pm

Yes, they definitely lowered the keys for Reinking when she did Cassie. Not only that, Bennett actually adjusted the choreography of "Music and the Mirror" to better show off all those wonderful unique things that Ann brought to the table as a dancer. While McKechnie was a master of scissor kicks, spins and quick steps (and the original "Music and the Mirror" was completely based on her strengths as a dancer), Reinking had one of the most beautiful extensions of any Broadway dancer ever (do to all of her ballet training). Bennett added several high kicks and jumps that showed that off.

For Bennett, a show was never frozen and he enjoyed making adjustments for his leading ladies in both ACL and Dreamgirls to show them off to their best advantage. Pity more director/choreographers don't have the same philosophy.

Updated On: 6/27/05 at 09:18 PM

[Ann_Margrock]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 9:56pm

Bennett is one of the Theatre Gods and as such he cannot be equaled.

Reinking must have been fabulous in ACL.

Does anyone here remember those old commercials for Bob Fosse's "Dancin'" she was in. Phenomenal legs.

And don't get me started on "All That Jazz"...

Whattawoman!!
Updated On: 6/27/05 at 09:56 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:02pm

[DAME]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:13pm

I feel so fortunate to have seen the original casts of Chorus Line, Dreamgirls, and Ballroom.