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!
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008