Is 'Chicago' Just a Tourist Show?

[fbueller]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 11:27am

I am always surprised to see that 'Chicago' is still on Broadway.  Is this really just a tourist show at this point?

[sharilynj]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 11:57am

Tourist here. Chicago was the first musical I saw on Broadway. I was young and didn't know any better.

[billyelliotfan123]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 12:08pm

Yup

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 12:29pm

I wouldn't say it's just a tourist show. Especially since this production isn't as elaborate as the rest of the shows tourists tend to flock to like Phantom and Wicked. It's also a fairly dark subject that has the potential to leave you with something to think about even though it's handled in a relatively light hearted way. Having said that, it has become a bit of a New York theatre institution and while it may very well be a tourist trap I don't consider it to be "just" or "only" a tourist show. It's more than that.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 2:52pm

The one and only time I saw it was April 1998.  The only time I had a desire to return was when Jennifer Nettles and Carly Hughes were in it.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 3:24pm

No.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 3:37pm

The original Fosse production definitely was not. This one most certainly is.

 

[darreyl102]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 5:11pm

Maybe, But I'm In NYC two times a year and It's always a tradition for me to see it whenever I'm in Town.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 6:05pm

It's actually quite a sophisticatedly written satire, with a classic score. It's really the dark horse of the long running shows since it's pretty dark material and doesn't have any big spectacle.

I think it only falls to being "just a tourist trap" when they stunt cast hilariously ill-equipped D-list celebrities in it.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 6:25pm

Who can forget Melanie Griffith ?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 6:32pm

No, it's not just a tourist show. I just went back this Monday myself to see Jaime Camil. Jane the Virgin is one of my favorite shows currently on TV and was very excited to see him. Camil has a nice voice, but his book scenes fell surprisingly flat. It was the ever-brilliant Charlotte d'Amboise who floored me with her Roxie. I've seen this revival in some decrepit states, but she made everyone better (easily the best pairing I've seen with  Amra Faye-Wright). 

 

Chicago is easily my favorite of the longer running shows; the score is fantastic and the book is top-notch. Maybe a majority of the audience is comprised of tourists, but there are New Yorkers who go too. 

[Javi]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 7:56pm

Does anyone know how long Charlotte will be in the show? I'm in NY July 22-Aug 5 and I'm excited that Jame has extended his run because I can now see him. His original run ended before I got there. But I would love to see Charlotte. Haven't seen her in Chicago before. 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 10:36pm

Charlotte is indeed an excellent Roxie, and, as Whizzer stated, seems to bring an energy back to the show whenever she steps back in that can sometimes be lacking when other actresses are in that lead role. If you haven't seen her Roxie it is well worth checking out.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 6/11/16 at 3:51pm

Mr Roxy said: "Who can forget Melanie Griffith ?

 

Did you see her in it ?

Like to read your crit.

 

"

 

[A Director]

Posted: 6/11/16 at 4:14pm

Yes, Chicago is just a tourist show!

"It's really the dark horse of the long running shows since it's pretty dark material and doesn't have any big spectacle."

LOL!  Chicago is not pretty dark material.

The original production was not a flop. It ran over 900 performances.  The show was not ahead of its time. It got shut out at the Tonys by a little show called A CHORUS LINE.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 6/11/16 at 4:45pm

"It's really the dark horse of the long running shows since it's pretty dark material and doesn't have any big spectacle."

LOL!  Chicago is not pretty dark material.
 

 

 

"

Disagree.  Chicago's themes are explosively dark and its satire is scathing. The show ends with the the lead characters, who had just been acquitted of murder (Velma is assumed to be acquitted), claiming that they are examples of what a wonderful country the United States is.  The verbal irony of this line is unmistakable. They were only acquitted because they had a high priced lawyer who could essentially cancel out the US justice system. 

Updated On: 6/11/16 at 04:45 PM

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 6/11/16 at 5:28pm

1) no it's not just a tourist show 

2) I believe charlotte is contracted through 7/10

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 6/11/16 at 7:09pm

You say "Tourist Show" like it's a bad thing. Maybe it is, but so is Phantom, Wicked, and Lion King, just to name a few. Just because it's grosses may come mostly from tourists doesn't mean that it's any lower in quality than something like Hamilton.

[Dave13]

Posted: 6/12/16 at 9:25am

¿Macavity? said: "You say "Tourist Show" like it's a bad thing. Maybe it is, but so is Phantom, Wicked, and Lion King, just to name a few. Just because it's grosses may come mostly from tourists doesn't mean that it's any lower in quality than something like Hamilton.

 

"

Glad someone said this and even more, all of Broadway shows stay in business because of tourist dollars. Hamilton included.  

 

Of of course Wicked, Phantom, Lion King, are on the top of the list of things to in NYC for the casual Broadway fan.  Many people still travel to NYC for the "Broadway marathons" that keep the other shows in business. 

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 6/12/16 at 1:07pm

Aren't most of the "bigger" shows tourists shows. 

 

Chicago has no set and costumes are basically black dress pants and net shirts on the men and the ladies in skimpy underwear looking outfits. 

 

I saw it once. Jennifer Nettles and Carly Hughes' last show. I enjoyed it. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/12/16 at 2:35pm

Who can forget Melanie Griffith?

 

The New York Times didn't.  They went back to re-review the show when Griffith joined it and raved about her performance.  

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 6/12/16 at 2:55pm

I'm in the minority about Melanie Griffith as Roxie. She couldn't dance and could only talk-sing, but she acted the hell out of it, putting a remarkable stamp on the role. And hell, she sold tickets!

[bryan2]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 3:15pm

I actually saw Melanie Griffin and to be honest I thought she was pretty on point as the character. her voice was baby talkish ...like Gwens was so I didn't think it was bad. I have seen it 7 times and she was as good as all the others I have seen....they are all a little bit different but I have liked them all...  The show is not a tourist trap ...it still has a great score and a funny/ provocative story...love CHICAGO

 

[Mediamaven2]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 6:34pm

fbueller said: "I am always surprised to see that 'Chicago' is still on Broadway.  Is this really just a tourist show at this point?

What does this mean? That everybody who isn't a tourist already saw it years ago? Probably. 

But if you mean that somehow the show itself is no longer anything worthwhile because of its audience, I'd have to disagree.

"