Does Chicago need to close?

[Parks]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 12:38am

I saw Chicago last night--and I was SO excited to see it! I've seen it twice before (once in 2006 with Charlotte D'Amboise (sp?) and again in 2007 (with Robin Givens)). I don't know if it's the fact that there were I think 4 or 5 understudies in last night or what--but it just was not a very exciting show. I was sitting in the rear mezz for act 1, and it really sounded like the actors were whispering at times.

Ashlee Simpson was a surprisingly good dancer, I thought. I didn't think she'd be able to keep up at all, but she was pretty good! Not great, but good for my standards I have for Ashlee Simpson-Wentz!

Is it time for this show to close? I feel like the cast goes through ups and downs in energy levels--but last night was pretty bad at times, I thought. It just seemed tired compared to the exciting show I saw back in 2006.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 12:49am

Why does it "need" to close?

It's doing perfectly fine with box office sales. They don't "need" to do anything. It keeps the money circulating and offers more jobs in the industry - I don't see a problem?

It's not like people are going to see it for its artistic merits. Not trying to be a jackass about it but I think you might want to rephrase both your title and original post. At least this show is MAKING money... And I'm not even a fan.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 12:55am

I think it does.

Granted, that's coming from the "It's getting too close to running longer than A Chorus LIne and it shouldn't happen."

That and I don't wanna have to say "A Chorus Line is the longest running original Broadway musical" (Sorry, Phantom and Les Miz and Cats are all West End transfers)

[JP2]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 1:04am

Last time I saw it was 2 years ago and it was dreadful.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 1:05am

Saw it again this past summer, and the energy was high.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 1:50am

Stunt casting lost novelty long ago but the budget is low and easy to recoup. No reason to remove a staple.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 8:01am

Seriously, they could probably sell less than 50% and it would still be profitable.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 8:06am

I saw it a few months ago and it was in terrific shape. I was delighted.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 8:14am

While I wouldn't say it "needs to close," I agree with Parks. This production is tired.

[winston89]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 10:59am

husk_charmer, due keep in mind that A Chorus Line will always keep its status of of the longest running American musical on Broadway even if Chicago plays longer than it. Do keep in mind that this production of Chicago is a revival and not an original production.

[darquegk]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 11:07am

Chicago has become something of an institution. It may be a stripped-down, bare-bones production, but it's profitable, memorable, and provides the myriad celebrities anxious to get onstage an appropriate venue to do so. After all, CHICAGO, both the show and the production, are about stunt casting.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 11:40am

I've actually been itching to drop by the Ambassador Theatre to revisit this production and I'm very interested in seeing Ashlee Simpson Wentz.

How does her acting hold up?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 11:49am

The last few times I saw it it was a lumbering bore. No energy is an understatement. The entire cast was sleepwalking through the whole show.

[sgv123]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 12:17pm

I saw it for the first time on Dec. 5th. I really enjoyed it.The cast was great, and they all really seemed into it....nothing boring at all. Ashlee-- to my surprise was really good. She is a fantastic dancer, and her acting was pretty good as well.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 12:22pm

This is the nature of Broadway. Long runs tend eventually to leave a show a distant relative of the original. In some ways, the old days, when a long run was 500 performances, was better for the shows themselves. But now, if the producers are still making $$$$, their opinion - the only one that really counts is "Thanks but, no."

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 12:24pm

I saw it back in Sept. to see Deidre Goodwin as Velma and she was wonderful. The cast was in great shape.

[jonmbway4652]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 12:34pm

I wouldn't say its time for the show to close. I have seen the show 3 times and the second time I saw it I was very disappointed. When I saw it back in january this year though I was extremely impressed. What I like about the show is that is focuses on the characters instead of spectacle. The only problem is that if one lead is not into or the chemistry isnt very strong it can make the whole show a downer and make the expierence not as powerful. The production is brilliant, it just focuses on the cast and characters which means the performers need to be spot on and full of energy

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 12:40pm

I'm sorry I have to agree with the first poster. I saw it last week and it was tired, tired, tired. Even the amplification wasn't strong enough.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 12:48pm

Yes it does need to close, and should have a long time ago.

And to think people criticize Ragtime for its sparse set design. Talk about a bare bones production (Chicago), and people are still paying to see that crap.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 12:54pm

I think Chicago, like Sweeney Todd, works well in both bare and big settings.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 12:54pm

winston-
Right, but you have to add the word original to the statement for it to retain the title.

[Huey's Pop]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 1:26pm

I saw it this past April and the sound was very poor. Not to mention that the balcony seats are about 100 years old, with absolutely no leg room. I was uncomfortable and had to strain to hear. Loads of fun. Not.

[winston89]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 2:10pm

The last time I was at this show was to see Melora Harden in it. I had seen it before and I kind of like it. I will admit that as a theatre fan I feel like the only thing that might get me to go to this show is if they hire a famous person who I would like to see on stage. Usually for that I go to see how bad or good they are going to be.

I mean it's the Wessler's we're talking about. These are people who brought the touring production of the 1990's Grease revival to City Center while the Broadway production was going strong at the O'Neil Theatre.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 2:15pm

"These are people who brought the touring production of the 1990's Grease revival to City Center while the Broadway production was going strong at the O'Neil Theatre."

Wait. Did they really??

[Revolutionary]

Posted: 12/14/09 at 2:19pm

No, it doesn't need to close. it's like POTO and Mamma Mia. It doesn't matter how crappy the quality of the shows get, they just belong there.