Mary Sunshine (Chicago)

Posted: 8/20/04 at 9:13pm

What does the purpose of having Mary Sunshine being played by a man? Is there a message behind this or is it just something to give the show some personality?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 9:22pm

My guess is to give the show some personality.

Although, I do believe in the London show Sunshine is played by a woman.

Updated On: 8/20/04 at 09:22 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 9:56pm

It all leads up to the courtroom revelation. But I don't think there's a deeper meaning behind it. Maybe one of our resident Chicago experts knows more about it.

[BialyBloomInc02]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 10:03pm

Hey there,

The original Chicago was 'Chicago: A Musical Vaudeville', and it was set up originally just like that, a vaudeville. Each song was presented in a vaudeville style - for example, the ventriloquist act was featured during We Both Reached for the Gun. Mary Sunshine was the drag act in the musical (her song A Little Bit of Good and the revealing at the end being the pinnacles of it). Of course, the revival decided not to focus on the vaudeville aspect of it, which is why it commonly causes confusion:S

Cheers!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 10:06pm

Interesting. I always wondered this.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 10:23pm

BialyBloomInc02- Thanks for the info

[Craig]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 10:35pm

It also plays upon the theme that appearances are deceiving and it's further mocking of the judicial system and how people can be manipulated...

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 10:38pm

The piece was originally written for a woman and Fosse suggested the male countertenor.

Posted: 8/20/04 at 10:38pm

Well, I think it was a good choice to omit that from the movie.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 11:00pm

Well, they made more of a legitimate courtroom scene in the movie, so you couldn't exactly have Ms. Sunshine being unveiled in the middle of the trial.

[zepka102]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 11:06pm

i saw chicago last month... i think it was pretty funny in the show, but to tell you the truth, i did not understand a word he sang during "A Little Bit of Good"... probably cuz it was a man trying to sing like a woman. i'm sure it would have been different in the movie and christine baranski would have done a fine job, but yeah, best it was kept out.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 11:43pm

i've always viewed "a little bit of good" to function essentially as a break for the actor playing billy flynn, not that thats a bad thing

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 12:57am

I look at it this way.

They are trying to say nothing is what is seems. Mary Sunshine seems like she's big into women enpowerment, and just really is a sob sister reporter. and it turns out shes a man. So the point of that is nothing is what it seems. and it shows how corrupt the jury system and everything is.

And personally I think "A little bit of Good", is a useless song. I agree it's a good break for Billy, coz he has two big numbers, almost back to back. I

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 1:38am

trust me its become my favorite number for that reason (i'm prepping to play billy flynn in a local production)

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 1:48am

CJR, WHERE YOU AT?

[CJR]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 1:52am

*steps up*

As craig said, it's a further spoof on the judicial system. Mary Sunshine's revelation takes place during the trial scene when Billy is giving his summation to the jury. As he's pleading Roxie's innocence he says: "Look closely at this frail figure... my god, hasn't she been punished enough? You can't give her happiness, but you can give her another chance. Now you've heard my collegue call her temptress, call her adulteress, call her MURDEROUS! But despite what the prosecution says, things are not always what they appear to be!" and he yanks Mary Sunshine's wig off, revealing that she is, indeed, a man.

[chelvis]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 2:43am

And you can understand female opera singers?

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 10:52am

In the London production of Chicago, the role of Mary Sunshine has NEVER been played by a woman.

[badkarma719]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 2:30pm

WELL I know the line before it is revealed the Mary sunshine is a man it


THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT THEY APEAR TO BE!!!

cause when I was in a production of it we had Billy Flin with a Superman shirt on and he revealed it to the audience when he said that

[Jon]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 3:30pm

The most sensible reason for not using a man in the movie is that it would be impossible to keep the secret. Film critics are notorious for giving away stuff like that.

Besides, "A Little Bit of Good" is the worst song in the show.

[JakeB]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 3:34pm

From the script:

BILLY: You have heard my colleague call her temptress, call her adultress, call her murderess. But, despite what the Prosecution says, things are not always what they appear to be. (BILLY crosses to Mary Sunshine. Circus-ey music plays as Mary Sunshine sing a coloratura trill. BILLY removes her wig and dress to reveal her to be a him in his boxer shorts. They bow to each other.) The defence rests! (He, Mary Sunshine exits.) Updated On: 8/21/04 at 03:34 PM

[CJR]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 3:49pm

Mmmm I believe I quoted that already

I wish I knew what I did with my script.....