Melanie Griffith in Chicago

ok

Except that all of those things that you say she needs to work on are what got her critical acclaim for that part. She fits the part perfectly. Roxie, as a character, not as an actress, isn't a performer. That's the whole concept of the show. So while you say she needs to work on her singing and dancing, the critics said things like :

"A sensational Roxie, possibly the most convincing I have seen." -Brantley

or

"The contours of the character fit Griffith's screen persona like a lace glove: Inside this Roxie, a knowing woman playing the little girl lost, is a real little girl lost.' -Isherwood

"Brantley and Isherwood are both giant starf*ckers who got off on seeing Melanie Griffith"

You must be joking. Brantley always bitches and moans about star stunt casting. Griffith fit the part perfectly. Just because she doesn't sound pretty or look like she is coordinated doesn't mean that she wasn't good for the role. And please, Brooke Shields was a TERRIBLE Roxie. She needs to pay her dues at Overactors Anonymous. When you look at the character description for what Roxie is supposed to be, Griffith nailed the character.

She reminded me of the leading lady of the musical within the musical in Curtains who got everything a beat behind and got bumped off. She was a charicature who spoofed herself, and not very well at that. Seeing her hubby in Nine however....

I didn't see Melanie but I did see Brooke Shields in London and she was a mess. Horrible horrible! Acting was average but her singing and dancing was horrible! Nothing new or exciting apart from the fact she looked like one of the cast of La Cage Aux Folles on the stage!

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I saw both Shields and Griffith as Roxie.

Shields was rather dull but, she came alive during her "Roxie" monologue. She also looked great and played well opposite Luba Mason's Velma.

Griffith was interesting, to say the very least. With each scene and song, I never knew quite what I was going to get. And for that reason, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. Her singing range was limited (it's Roxie, I could care less) and her dancing ability was less than average (she did manage a clean cartwheel at the end of "Hot Honey Rag.") But otherwise, Griffith sold the role for all it was worth; she was a spunky, trashy, sweet, vulnerable, conniving Roxie...a little girl at heart, lost in the big city, and stopping at nothing. So, despite her shortcomings, I still deem her Roxie a success.

Anybody who thinks Roxie needs to sound good clearly never listened to Reinking sing the role.

I don't think Forbidden Broadway would have devoted an entire song to Reinking's singing voice if she didn't sound that way all the time... which she does.

"Except that all of those things that you say she needs to work on are what got her critical acclaim for that part. She fits the part perfectly. Roxie, as a character, not as an actress, isn't a performer. That's the whole concept of the show. So while you say she needs to work on her singing and dancing, the critics said things like :

"A sensational Roxie, possibly the most convincing I have seen." -Brantley

or

"The contours of the character fit Griffith's screen persona like a lace glove: Inside this Roxie, a knowing woman playing the little girl lost, is a real little girl lost.' -Isherwood"


I agree with what you say because Roxie Hart is supposed to be a not so-talented actress/singer. I think she did ok in Chicago, but her singing and dancing was sooo awful that it was like watching a trainwreck at times.
Anyways, I somehow agree with what you say and on top of that she sold out her entire run basically. We can agree that her Broadway engagement was a success(the movie won the Oscar a few months before she took the role of Roxie, so that also must have helped)

Anyways, I did see Brooke Shields as Roxie and she was very good. Also if you base your opinion on reviews you should look for the ones of Brooke in Wonderful Town. She was even better as Ruth Sherwood.

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Updated On: 8/31/09 at 09:14 PM

Shields was extraordinary in WONDERFUL TOWN, which remains one of the most satisfying experiences I can recall.

Also if you base your opinion on reviews you should look for the ones of Brooke in Wonderful Town. She was even better as Ruth Sherwood.

Shields was solid as Roxie, but she EXCELLED as Ruth in Wonderful Town. I had my reservations going in, but Shields owned the stage.

"I actually thought Shields was better than Murphy.

I missed Murphy the first time I saw the show so I returned just for her (I didn't love the production) and was let down. When I saw it again with Shields, I was blown away"

"Shields was solid as Roxie, but she EXCELLED as Ruth in Wonderful Town. I had my reservations going in, but Shields owned the stage"

I agree a 100%

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