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The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

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#1

The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/8/26 at 12:10pm

Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton and more are reuniting for a Chicago 30th anniversary celebration

Thirty years is the real story to me. That 1996 revival was supposed to be a limited Encores! transfer and it has now outlasted basically everything, largely by being cheap to run and infinitely re-castable. The reunion is a nice moment, but it also underlines how much of the show's survival has been about the replacement machine rather than the original company.

Does seeing Neuwirth and Naughton back in it remind people how good it can be, or just how far the production has drifted?

#2

The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/8/26 at 3:01pm

I don't think the production has drifted at all. I've seen it 39 times at the Ambassador and I have yet to see a bad performance. I'm especially reminded of this during the entre'acte when the performers act as if they haven't heard the music in ages and they are so beyond thrilled to start Act 2 that they can't contain themselves.

#3

The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/8/26 at 3:21pm

Magic2Do said: "Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton and more are reuniting for aChicago30th anniversary celebration

Thirty years is the real story to me. That 1996 revival was supposed to be a limited Encores! transfer and it has now outlasted basically everything, largely by being cheap to run and infinitely re-castable. The reunion is a nice moment, but it also underlines how much of the show's survival has been about the replacement machine rather than the original company.

Does seeing Neuwirth and Naughton back in it remind people how good it can be, or just how far the production has drifted?"

The answer for me is how good it can be. Chicago is my all-time favorite show. I have always found it exciting and smart with songs that I never tire of. I visited twice earlier this year for the stellar duo of Kate Baldwin and Robyn Hurder. There are plenty of talented actors that I'd pay to see as future Roxie/Velma replacements.

#4

The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/8/26 at 3:28pm

Does seeing Neuwirth and Naughton back in it remind people how good it can be, or just how far the production has drifted?

Seeing them back in it? Um, you ARE aware they’re not performing that night. Like at all previous decade reunions of CHICAGO, they’re only attending.

Here they are alongside composer John Kander and Joel Grey at the 20th anniversary reunion:

The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

#5

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/8/26 at 3:30pm

I refuse to see the show with these D-list reality TV stars. Employ actual Broadway names and I'll return. Happy about the 30th Anniversary but I'll revisit the show when we get a combo like Hurder-Baldwin-Newell again.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#6

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/8/26 at 5:43pm

It's interesting how celebrity Roxies are numerous, but celebrity Velma's are a rarity these days.

"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#8

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/8/26 at 5:56pm

TotallyEffed said: "Velma requires pipes in a way Roxie doesn’t."

And stronger dancing.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#9

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/8/26 at 6:24pm

Magic2Do said: "Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton and more are reuniting for aChicago30th anniversary celebration

Thirty years is the real story to me. That 1996 revival was supposed to be a limited Encores! transfer and it has now outlasted basically everything, largely by being cheap to run and infinitely re-castable. The reunion is a nice moment, but it also underlines how much of the show's survival has been about the replacement machine rather than the original company.

Does seeing Neuwirth and Naughton back in it remind people how good it can be, or just how far the production has drifted?"

Probably lots of people forget this show is a revival, and the original production did not even make 1,000 performances. I hate the stunt casting that is filled with people who just are not that good.

#10

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/9/26 at 6:37pm

How wonderful that this show is still running, after 3 decades. Lots of "stunt casting" has kept actors, musicians, crew, and theatre staff employed. Brought tens of millions of dollars of revenue to the city, and many millions of people to the theatre. All of that, is a very, very good thing.
#11

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/10/26 at 5:33pm

Happy anniversary and all, but I want this current production to end. Enough. Think of the revivals we could've had, the alternative regional productions etc.

There's a brand new production running in Sweden right now. Rave reviews. Why can't we have that?

I don't think this show should be stuck, on pause, frozen in time forever because of one team of producers. It has lasted this long because it is relatively low-cost and because of stunt casting. The musical is a classic and deserves better. Sad.

Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
#12

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/10/26 at 5:37pm

nealb1 said: "How wonderful that this show is still running, after 3 decades. Lots of "stunt casting" has kept actors, musicians, crew, and theatre staff employed. Brought tens of millions of dollars of revenue to the city, and many millions of people to the theatre. All of that, is a very, very good thing."



I don't disagree with any of that, despite my comment above. Still, I don't want to sacrifice art for the sake of economy.

Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
#13

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/10/26 at 9:05pm

Jay Lerner-Z said: "Happy anniversary and all, but I want this current production to end. Enough. Think of the revivals we could've had, the alternative regional productions etc.

There's a brand new production running in Sweden right now. Rave reviews. Why can't we have that?

I don't think this show should bestuck, on pause, frozen in time forever because of one team of producers. It has lasted this long because it is relatively low-cost and because of stunt casting. The musical is a classic and deserves better. Sad."

From what I've seen of that production it literally just looks like a mashup of the revival and a few visual elements taken from the movie. I'm sure the performances are great, but I'm not seeing where highlighting that as example of what we're missing out on goes to your point.

#14

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/10/26 at 9:43pm

nealb1 said: "How wonderful that this show is still running, after 3 decades. Lots of "stunt casting" has kept actors, musicians, crew, and theatre staff employed. Brought tens of millions of dollars of revenue to the city, and many millions of people to the theatre. All of that, is a very, very good thing."

I wouldn't say it's wonderful. The show has been in bad shape in the past and had to fire 8 veteran cast members recently in an attempt to freshen it up. They did something similar about ten years ago, too. The only reasons it's still running is it's very cheap to operate and the rotating door of D-list reality stars is keeping it afloat.

A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#15

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/11/26 at 9:57am



I haven't seen much myself, but BroadwayWorld's own review calls it "undoubtedly superior". Shrug. I guess I'm just thirsty for something DIFFERENT. Maybe the Stockholm show is not groundbreaking, but it looks sufficiently unlike the current Broadway version to somewhat excite me.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/sweden/article/Review-CHICAGO-at-Oscarsteatern-20260910

https://youtu.be/ECiFDNs1lIM?si=ocq7MNKlxzhc1Bqf



Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
#16

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/11/26 at 10:54am

ACL2006 said: "nealb1 said: "How wonderful that this show is still running, after 3 decades. Lots of "stunt casting" has kept actors, musicians, crew, and theatre staff employed. Brought tens of millions of dollars of revenue to the city, and many millions of people to the theatre. All of that, is a very, very good thing."

I wouldn't say it's wonderful. The show has been in bad shape in the past and had to fire 8 veteran cast members recently in an attempt to freshen it up. They did something similar about ten years ago, too. The only reasons it's still running is it's very cheap to operate and the rotating door of D-list reality stars is keeping it afloat."

The show lost me when years ago they hired the no talent Christie Brinkley.

#18

Re: The CHICAGO 30th anniversary reunion

Posted: 10/11/26 at 3:10pm

And keeping Amra Faye-Wright as Velma for about ten years too long.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.

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