Mel B joining 'Chicago' - Page 2

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 11/2/16 at 4:23pm

https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Chicago/Overview

The overview page says NaTasha Williams is Mama Morton "thru 1/15," though I guess that could be wrong. Why they wouldn't announce Mel's role with this excuse of a press release is beyond me.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/2/16 at 4:31pm

In other news, Faye Dunaway has made peace with the "capricious man" Andrew Lloyd Webber and will be Glenn's alternate for Weds matinees singing the score "comfortably, in her range."

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 11/2/16 at 5:24pm

She can't be any worse than she was in Rent...

[evic]

Posted: 11/2/16 at 6:07pm

If they really wanted Mya in the role they would have rehired her after she recovered from her injury....maybe she got cold feet and didn't want to do it on Broadway......she had no charisma in the movie Chicago.....that was a head scratcher- all the prisoners were great B'way dancers except for her.  Maybe Harvey insisted on her...I can't imagine Marshall wanting her with all of the great dancing divas he knew.  I can see Mel as Velma with her strong personality.

[itsshowtime2]

Posted: 11/2/16 at 8:39pm

I think Mel would make a great Velma or Roxie.  She proved she can dance when she did Dancing With The Stars.

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 11/3/16 at 5:12pm

She'll be playing Roxie

http://bit.ly/2eZsDwC

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/27/16 at 5:13pm

Looks like she WAS given a choice between Roxie or Velma. I guess that's why there was a delay announcing the role.

"When posed with the choice of Roxie Hart or Velma Kelly in Chicago, Roxie was the obvious choice."

http://www.playbill.com/article/musical-theatre-scared-me-says-mel-bbroadways-new-roxie-hart

Updated On: 12/27/16 at 05:13 PM

[hes16]

Posted: 12/29/16 at 1:56am

Did anyone see Mel B perform yet? I'm curious as to how she is.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 12/29/16 at 2:37am

She was soooo bad in Rent----I will be missing this for sure

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 12/29/16 at 6:39am

I think she's had an interesting rehearsal schedule, with the dance captain David Bushman working with her on the West Coast (possibly together with Leslie Stifleman).  She probably has continued her rehearsal, up to now.  I understand she had a "put-in" on Wed. Dec. 28.  Bless those cast members who basically have to perform/practice the show with the new Roxie...on her first day.  I hope there is some video of her playing some of the dances.  When I saw the show on Dec. 25 and Dec. 27, you had the assistant conductor at the helm.  I hope someone shares their experience of seeing Mel B.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 12/29/16 at 5:03pm

I must say she looks amazing[ly good]. Wonder if she will use her own accent.

Very keen to read reports.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 12/30/16 at 1:41pm

I wonder who will be playing Roxie on the first week of January since Mel B will be out.

[LxGstv]

Posted: 12/30/16 at 1:48pm

ScottyDoesn'tKnow2 said: "I wonder who will be playing Roxie on the first week of January since Mel B will be out.

 

"

She's not performing for the first week? Where did you see that? When is she scheduled to be back?

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 12/30/16 at 4:27pm

LxGstv said: "ScottyDoesn'tKnow2 said: "I wonder who will be playing Roxie on the first week of January since Mel B will be out.

 

"

She's not performing for the first week? Where did you see that? When is she scheduled to be back?

 

"

https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Chicago/Overview

It says she's out from 1/5-1/11. Broadway.com also states that.

[ChrisTyler12882]

Posted: 1/2/17 at 3:58pm

Has anybody seen her yet?

[bryan2]

Posted: 1/4/17 at 11:06am

Saw her last Wednesday night. She was quite good. for her first night...I have seen Brook Shields/Melanie Griffith -who was really fun- / Belle  Calloway ..the best/ Bebe as Roxie-  strange//Bianca and also /Maria Friedman in London....Mel doesn't have a strong voice at all which is ok for Roxie , but she harmonized really well...she was funny and cute and also got all the laughs...her accent is still there which is funny...I liked her and the show looked good for such a long run.. and I thought Amra was really great...I have heard so many "she is sleep walking " comments I expected nothing and I really liked her...and I have seen a lot of Velmas also lol....I took someone who never has seen it and he said he understood why I keep going back ...he loved it and loved them both.

Updated On: 1/4/17 at 11:06 AM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/4/17 at 11:26am

I'm hoping AFW's 3 month away from the show brought some new energy for her. We'll see if she's still giving 100% 6 months from now.

[SellingOut]

Posted: 1/4/17 at 9:50pm

bryan2 said: "Saw her last Wednesday night. She was quite good. for her first night...I have seen Brook Shields/Melanie Griffith -who was really fun- / Belle  Calloway ..the best/ Bebe as Roxie-  strange//Bianca and also /Maria Friedman in London....Mel doesn't have a strong voice at all which is ok for Roxie , but she harmonized really well...she was funny and cute and also got all the laughs...her accent is still there which is funny...I liked her and the show looked good for such a long run.. and I thought Amra was really great...I have heard so many "she is sleep walking " comments I expected nothing and I really liked her...and I have seen a lot of Velmas also lol....I took someone who never has seen it and he said he understood why I keep going back ...he loved it and loved them both.

 

"

 

Glad to finally read a review from her performance!  I was supposed to be going on the 15th, but I've been so sick i'm trying to get my ticket exchanged w/Telecharge to a date next month.  Hopefully she's doing Sunday matinee's. 

Also, does anyone know if Mel B. does the stage door/autographs?

Thanks!

 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 1/5/17 at 8:44pm

bryan2 said: "Saw her last Wednesday night. She was quite good. for her first night...I have seen Brook Shields/Melanie Griffith -who was really fun- / Belle  Calloway ..the best/ Bebe as Roxie-  strange//Bianca and also /Maria Friedman in London....Mel doesn't have a strong voice at all which is ok for Roxie , but she harmonized really well...she was funny and cute and also got all the laughs...her accent is still there which is funny...I liked her and the show looked good for such a long run.. and I thought Amra was really great...I have heard so many "she is sleep walking " comments I expected nothing and I really liked her...and I have seen a lot of Velmas also lol....I took someone who never has seen it and he said he understood why I keep going back ...he loved it and loved them both.

 

"

Thank you so much for this review. I'm glad Amra seems to found her mojo back. That break must have helped her big time.

[SellingOut]

Posted: 1/5/17 at 9:00pm

I'm going to Mel's last show now on the 19th - had to exchange my ticket due to being sick

 

 

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 1/6/17 at 12:10am

Mel isn't a big stage door person. Sorry. 

Theres an exit by the parking garage #justsaying

[brian1973]

Posted: 1/7/17 at 1:01am

Can't believe Amra is STILL doing this.. so depressing. She'll still be there at 70 clinging on.

[AngusN]

Posted: 1/7/17 at 12:57pm

Personally, I thought she was awful. Her singing is weak and occasionally out of tune. As for her acting ability, that leaves a lot to be desired - I've seen much better in school performances. Her dancing was acceptable, but not impressive.

I have to admit, it's the worst professional performance I've ever witnessed - she should not be on the stage. 

[SellingOut]

Posted: 1/8/17 at 10:38am

JBradshaw said: "Mel isn't a big stage door person. Sorry. 

Theres an exit by the parking garage #justsaying

 

"

I had a feeling that was the case.  Plus, i'm going to the 7:00pm show on her last night.

 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 1/9/17 at 9:14am

AngusN said: "Personally, I thought she was awful. Her singing is weak and occasionally out of tune. As for her acting ability, that leaves a lot to be desired - I've seen much better in school performances. Her dancing was acceptable, but not impressive.

I have to admit, it's the worst professional performance I've ever witnessed - she should not be on the stage. 

 

"

I had a feeling that'd be the case, which is why I was so relieved she was out the week I bought tickets. As obvious as it is to say out loud, I do think some take for granted that the character of Roxie really does need a great actress to really bring out the character for the audience and the songs are harder to sell than people realize. Of course, since dance is a big part of the story telling, being a great dancer will do more than just elevate the material, even with the toned-down Fosse choreography. I think we've seen so many "servicable" performances in Chicago that we all some times forget that. I saw Bianca Marroquin for the first time on Friday and she gave one of the best performances I've seen on stage.