Rita Wilson- How is she?

[Born2cthelightsofbway]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 9:33pm

Hey, I am just curious, in Chicago is Rita Wilson actually good? Can she sing and dance? thanks, just kind of curious

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 9:45pm

She's a very good dancer. I was not once distracted by her dancing, and you could tell she was really working hard with the choreography. Her singing was good as well. Nothing too spectacular, but no complaints at all. I felt some of the songs were a bit low for her, but she does a fine job. Dare I say, very good job with the role. She's a very strong actress, and seems very comfortable in the role. It was fun watching her on stage. I saw the show expecting to not be impressed, but I was. It's in great shape. Audiences are loving it, and the cast is excellent.

[donna_darko_23]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 10:16pm

that's good to hear

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 10:21pm

I was curious about how she was doing too.Thank's LittleWing.

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 10:21pm

I have read some positive things about her on here; and my father saw her and said she was good. However, my friend saw her and said nothing but horrible things about her performance. I'm assuming that he saw her on an off night.

[loudasthehelliwant]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 12:36am

I saw her on her second night, and enjoyed her. I thought she was very solid (at worst).

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 1:10am

Rita Wilson was by far the worst Roxie that I have seen. It was a very disappointing, almost laughable performance. None of her movements had any of the requisite Fosse nuance or style. Brenda Braxton cleaned her clock on the "Hot Honey Rag."

Her singing was mediocre, and the acting totally uninspired.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 11:50pm

I saw the show last night (8/2) and I have to say I actually enjoyed Rita Wilson, for the most part. I will say her singing isn't the best. Dancing-wise, she was fine. I will agree not in the Fosse vein, but I thought she did very well with MAMB, which always seems to be a tough number for the "stunt" Roxies.

Acting-wise, I actually thought she was pretty top notch. Mind you, I was sitting first-row centre, so I can't say how she read in the house, but I thought she added a lot of great little ad-libs and quirks to the character that really made the role feel fresh. And her chemistry with Brenda Braxton was really entertaining, I found myself laughing at things I hadn't laughed at in awhile (I'm almost at twenty times with this show, btw)! My only quip was the "Amos was...a zero" schtick fell really flat.

But otherwise, I thought she was a fine fit for the role.

But OH MY GOD BRENDA BRAXTON! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE? I had seen her in a couple of other things, but seeing her last night as Velma for the first time, she went right into my top three of all time. Her singing was ridiculous, her dancing remarkable, and wow, did she breathe fresh air into the role. I never wanted her to leave the stage! So much energy, so much sould, so much attitude, so much everything. I wanted planning to see the show again until the Usher debacle begins, but I have to go buy another ticket just to see her before she leaves!

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 1:45am

A dissapointment. Her voice was mediocre at best, her acting made her seemed amateurish, her dancing was fine, but she just couldn't stand up to Braxton. Not Broadway-worthy, in my opinion.

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 1:55am

"Not Broadway-worthy, in my opinion."

... but certainly leagues better than haylie duff. Which is why you'll hear no complaint out of me. And next to Brenda Braxton its hard for any one to look amazing.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 2:00am

Rita Wilson was by far the worst Roxie that I have seen. It was a very disappointing, almost laughable performance. None of her movements had any of the requisite Fosse nuance or style. Brenda Braxton cleaned her clock on the "Hot Honey Rag."


- Your comments are a huge insult to those who had to sit through Melanie Griffith's performance. Wilson is doing all of Ann Reinking's choreography for the role. Griffith had to have EVERY number reworked.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 2:00am

Well I haven't seen Haylie, so I can't make a comment, but I'd say someone like Lilias White can definately stand up to Braxton, even though I got her u/s last time.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 2:02am

Was the Mama understudy you saw the fabulous Michelle Robinson?

An AMAZING performer. Would love to see her Mama.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 2:04am

I THINK so--she was great, but a little young for the role.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 8:42pm

Here is Michelle Robinson as Liz..



Was that who you saw as Mama?


You are so lucky if you did. I would kill to see her as Mama. She's always the highlight of the ensemble.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 9:01pm

Rita Wilson is....leaving tomorrow.