Faith Prince as Roxie Hart??

I would have liked that, before her voice hit a BIG wall.

Yes, Faith was one of the many women considered for the 4 performances of Encores! Concert Series concert staging of CHICAGO back in 1996. Ann Reinking, who had been hired to choreograph the concert staging, eventually (after much haggling) agreed to play Roxie again (which she had played in the original Broadway run back in 1977).

Also, FYI - though Faith was indeed part of the original Broadway cast of JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY, she was NOT part of the dance ensemble. She only performed in 2 specialty numbers: a cute soft-shoe with Jason Alexander in the "I Still Get Jealous" number from HIGH BUTTON SHOES and Tessie Tura in the "You Gotta Have a Gimmick" number from GYPSY. She did not appear nor danced in any of the dance numbers.

I knew Faith Prince was featured in those two numbers, I wasn't sure if she in addition did other numbers, thanks for clarifying, Brody.
Who were the other women considered? I wish Prince had done it, I think it would have been a very interesting performance, though the big contrast between Prince's style with Bebe's could either have been genius or it could have presented a big problem. It's almost sad that we'll just never know.

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Ripley as Velma would be EPIC

I don't believe Ripley or Skinner had/have the dance skills for Velma. Velma is a VERY demanding dance role.

Updated On: 7/13/09 at 01:40 AM

If Jasmine Guy could pull off Velma Kelly, I'm confident Emily Skinner (who was quite the mover back then) could have done it.

Though Mama Morton is sort of an obvious choice for her, I think Skinner would be a hoot as Roz in 9 TO 5. I'm surprised they didn't pursue her initially.

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Updated On: 7/13/09 at 01:43 AM

In Jasmine Guy's defense, she DOES have an extensive dance background -- she danced and trained with Alvin Ailey's troupe for a bit and trained with various dance companies, including Debbie Allen's. She did CHICAGO after a long break from dancing, which is why people weren't sure if she was up to it so many years later.

I didn't mean to insult Guy's performance, Brody. I loved her in the role (she's probably my favorite of the few actresses I've seen play Velma over the life of the revival.)

I just meant to state that she too had a limited dance background, though it was more classical than Skinner's.

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I disagree that Ursula is the only role Skinner was born to play.

Because of her eery similarity to Mae West (physically, vocally, and in persona,) I think she is as "meant to be" as you'd find for the Claudia Shear roles in DIRY BLONDE, which she's played recently and will again quite soon.

I'm surprised she hasn't done more Sondheim material in her career. She is/was an absolute perfect fit for several roles he's written, including The Baker's Wife in INTO THE WOODS (it was down to her and Kerry O'Malley for the recent revival) and Petra in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. She's getting toward an age now where she'd be a killer Joanne in COMPANY. Her Gussie in the Kennedy Center production of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG was absolutely divine.

Regardless, I think we can all agree Skinner is long overdue for a return to the Broadway stage. Here's hoping the right vehicle materializes for her sometime soon.

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Updated On: 7/13/09 at 01:53 AM

Skinner is so underused, probably because of the rumors about her personality which I don't know if they are true or not. She's still insanely talented and does have a larger than life personality that makes her ideal for a number of roles. I wonder what her Fosca could be like.

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Emily would be an awful Baker's Wife. She could not use her big voice for the role. No room for her to use her famous riffs either. She did find a way to successfully riff Gussie's "Good Thing Going", and it sounded incredible. I assume Sondheim approved and enjoyed the riffs.

LOL

LOL

LOL

Fath Prince is so gud.

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