Short CHICAGO Review 12-13-04

[CJR]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 2:15am

Saw the show tonight. It's in fierce shape.

Wopat makes me cringe. He was a little too reminiscent of Mr George (Hamilton). Maybe he'll grow on me like Mr George... or maybe not. Time will tell. Far too many mistakes for someone who's been in the role before. I say bring back Eric Jordan Young!

Shawn Emamjomeh was out tonight and Mark Anthony Taylor went on in his place. Was definitely missing Shawn, but Mark did a great job. He didnt disappoint as the jury. During the summation was the best, though -- "Yes, you may take her life, but it won't bring Casely back!" Mark: That's news to me...

Dana Moore in for Krissy Richmond, currently. Dana's fabulous -- I've just never been a real fan of her Hunyak. She gave a great performance, but I missed Krissy.

Michelle Potterf also out, though Gabby Garcia gave a HOT performance as Kitty. I always love seeing Gabby go on. She's such an underappreciated talent in that cast.

Terra MacLeod: Solid. She gives a cold Velma portrayal which takes some getting used to.... Spectacular dancer.

Tracy Shayne: Love, love, love her, but I don't need to tell you all that. She gave a great opening night performance and despite a few mic troubles in the 1st act she was strong, hyper, fiery and everything I expect (and know and love) from her as Roxie. It's really great to have her back in the company.

Roxane Carrasco: Fierce as usual. Extra spunk tonight, lots of adlibs, incredibly enthusastic. Superb performance as always. Never less than an absolute joy to see her onstage.

Ann Nathan: She's a great Mama, but I'd like to see her have more direction. She seems to play Mama in two opposite directions... She's a phenomenal talent, but I think I'd enjoy her more if she picked one of those two directions to run with.

Ensemble: In fabulous shape. Listened to the people behind me spend 20 minutes talking about how gorgeous Michelle DeJean is and how funny Michelle Robinson is. There are some new boys I didn't recognize and I'm too lazy to go get my playbill.... and I'm thrilled to report that Dan LoBuono is back. YAY!!

This is slightly incoherent, so on that note I think it's off to bed with me

Updated On: 12/14/04 at 02:15 AM

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 2:19am

So, how many times have you seen it now?

1,560?

[DAME]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 2:52am

She is a junkie and she needed her fix.

[pab]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 9:02am

Well, CJR, I'm glad it was just a SHORT review

I saw Wopat in June and he was pretty good. I guess that maybe he has not fully gotten back into it or maybe he had a bad night. Thanks for the review and it's incredible how the show continues to be strong both in performances and in Box Office. The movie definitely did not hurt ticket sales. 95.3% attendance last week at an average ticket price of $70.71.

Updated On: 12/14/04 at 09:02 AM

[CJR]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 12:30pm

yeah, that was definintely a short review on my account.....

As for how many times now, too many lol

I didn't really need my fix, I wanted to be there to support a good friend on her opening night and welcome her back to the cast. The audience was a little dead, considering it was a Monday night, but overall they were pretty good.

[formanatrix]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 1:21pm

I saw Terra when I aw Chicago over the summer and also thought she did pretty good job. However, I feel it was unfortunate that I got to see Paige Davis. Her acting was good, but her singing wasn't that enjoyable. I love so many of the songs that Roxie sings so I was a little upset. I'm guessing the new cast member is an improvement?

[DAME]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 1:42pm

i think I might check it out again next week. It would be like my 100th time. But I have never seen Tracey Shane in it.

[CJR]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 3:21pm

Oh Dame, DEFINITELY go!!!! Tracy's only in the company till Jan 2nd.

She's a phenomenal Roxie. I'm definitely biased and some people have told me she can be an acquired taste, but I adore her. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 3:46pm

Chicago is one of the best revivals I have seen and its the second longest running revival of a show ever. I hope it runs for many more years to come since its not slowing down at all gross-wise. Glad you liked the show again, CJR!

[CJR]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 7:42pm

You can guarantee I'll be back a few more times before Tracy's run is over!

[Ellie3]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 8:10pm

Wait, is your review positive, or negative? Because I was supposed to go to NYC before Christmas, but alas it was not to be...we were going to see Chicago again, so your review cheered me up! I'm not as disappointed now...but I still need someone to tell me 42nd St is rubbish.

[CJR]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 8:15pm

You have to ask if my review is positive or negative? lol

I've seen this show so many times this is just me disecting it. I'd say go see the show. You won't be disappointed. If you want a titanium migrane for days, go see 42nd St. (sorry, not a fan of it lol)

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 8:38pm

CJR saw Chicago??? What a surprise! haha.

[Ellie3]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 8:42pm

Oh, I know the show is fab, I just don't want to catch it during a bad patch. Only the best for me!

[CJR]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 9:07pm

I was talking about the cast when I said that, not the show itself.

[Iris Chacon]

Posted: 12/14/04 at 11:01pm

And now that Dan is back in; definitely go!

[CJR]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:10am

Oh god yes. I adooooore him. The only thing that could make me happier (well, among the chorus boys) would be having Eric Jordan Young or Marc Calamia back

[Iris Chacon]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:13am

Or if they added some nudity. Male frontal nudity. ( Sorry; I'm in that mood.)

[CJR]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:19am

HAHAHAHA

Well in that case.... I can think of a few other boys I'd love to see in the chorus

However, those tight pants don't exactly leave a lot to the imagination lol

[DAME]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:23am

Chicago in the nude. Now; CJR; why don't you run that by the Weisslers?

[CJR]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:30am

Hahaha because in some roundabout way I'd probably wind up getting fired

[Kris2]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 8:56pm

Okay, so I've never seen Chicago ::ducks::

My question is, should I wait until Brent Barrett and Charlotte d'Amboise are back in it in January or go see it when I get back home with Tracy Shayne and Tom Wopat? And don't say both because I can't afford it! Otherwise, I would. What's their student or general rush policy like and where are the seats?

[DAME]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 6:35am

I would wait till January. They are both so good in the show and january is such a dead month for audience attendance; I bet you get real good seats for cheap at tkts.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 7:06am

The Weisslers would jump at the chance to do a nude show. They'd do anything to save money on some cosutumes! Then they can just save the extra money and record a new cast album for every cast.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 4:53pm

Go see Charlotte and Brent!!! To me, they're the first or second best among all the actors I've seen play Roxie and Billy. The show totally becomes a different animal when they are in the roles, and you will not be disappointed.

(And munkustrap178, we have to make sure someone we both love joins Chicago before bringing up the nude thing....)

Updated On: 12/18/04 at 04:53 PM