Hi all, hope you're doing as well as can be expected these days. I was on a Fosse kick the other day and found some rehearsal footage from the original production of Chicago - I won't link it, but it's out there!
The finale looks a lot different than the one we know - Nowadays is still there, but Roxie and Velma's act opens with them playing instruments - Roxie on sax and Velma on drums. There is also footage of a kind of Bugs Bunny-sounding song and dance which made use of the wind machine, and appears at the very end of the video.
My question is, does anyone know if this version ever made it before an audience, or it was changed before previews started? I'd love to know how it worked, and if the wonderful Hot Honey Rag was a part of it.
Leading Actor Joined: 1/9/18
The song is called LOOPIN’ THE LOOP it did indeed make it before an audience and apparently left them cold so was replaced.
The idea was that Velma and Roxie were performed the Kelly Sister Act (aka I CAN’T DO IT ALONE with the saxophone and drums)
The melody is used in the overture
If you do a youtube search you will find bootlegs of the original along with a professional recording from a Kander & Ebb tribute with Susan Stroman singing one of the roles!
Geez. We’ve been permitted to link anything on YouTube for over a decade. Hahaha.
Leading Actor Joined: 1/9/18
BrodyFosse123 said: "Geez. We’ve been permitted to link anything on YouTube for over a decade. Hahaha.
Geez.
"
Ge
Loopin’theloop said: "The song is called LOOPIN’ THE LOOP..."
@Loopin'theloop how long have you been waiting for someone to ask that question? Lol
Leading Actor Joined: 1/9/18
DooWahDiddy said: "Loopin’theloop said: "The song is called LOOPIN’ THE LOOP..."
@Loopin'theloop how long have you been waiting for someone to ask that question? Lol"
Hehehehe!
I was cursed to wait for this question since the opening of the original production and I would have been here until the end of time but I am now free!
Videos