Tonight's Chicago Performance Rundown- Page 2

[CJR]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 8:47am

Man, I should have thought to ask someone to get me a playbill. I fail.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 8:51am

Still waiting for an answer to Shameless's earlier question - how was Ziemba?

[NBC]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 11:07am

Ziemba was fabulous, she did My Own Best Friend with Ruthie Henshall. They sounded terrific. (I wish Karen had done the trial scene, too...sadly I never saw her as Roxie.)

And it was Walter Bobbie who went up to the stage and told Melanie to start the Roxie monologue over.

Ernie Sabella just did a couple of scenes, he did the dialogue during Funny Honey, and I think he was one of the Amoses who came out during Mr. Cellophane (though Joel sang the whole number).

[ILUVTOMG]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 11:57am

ute was home sticking pins in her fran and barry dolls.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 11:58am

Thanks for the Ziemba report, NBC. I was fortunate enough to see Karen's Roxie.

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 12:03pm

Wow was the party fun! The Weisslers requested that New World get pictures of the event, so I was the one to do it! I normally don't take photos of celebs, but now I HAD to!

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 1:21pm

Okay. I'm gonna try to get this done before class.

With a very special thanks to NBC, I am pretty much now straight on who did what, with a couple of exceptions. may add/update. So I'll write a bit more about it now.

Going in...wow. I felt like I was transferred to California and at some kind of huge Hollywood party. I brushed up against Antonio Banderas, saw Barbra Walters, Rosie, Glenn Close, Kristen Chenoweth...a lot of the performers, they were in the audience when they weren't doing their select parts.

As previously mentioned, Chita and All That Jazz--wow. Really magical. Umm, the people sponsoring it did a brief message, and then 2 of the current cast company members escorted John Kander on as he announced that his partner, Fred Ebb, wrote this beginning to Chicago (something more profound and praiseworthy of Mr. Ebb, but I don't want to misquote), and proceeded to give the Tonight you are invited opening.

Then Chita and All That Jazz.

Then Ernie Sabella rushed on as Amos to do his part during Funny Honey. Marilu Henner started Funny Honey with the ladder on stage left. She did a good job.

Then Rita appeared on the ladder on stage right...I think she started during "He ain't no sheek," but I'm not positive. IMO, Marilu was definitely better. Then they sang together, and again I felt Marilu outshined Rita. Then they both disappeared on the ladders and Michelle took her part as Roxie with Ernie.

The cell block tango was done with Brenda Braxton and the current company members. Still, a dazzling performance, their energy was so great and they were enjoying every minute of it, making the number so much fun. And of course the audience response made every number really enjoyable.

Roz came out and started when you're good to Mama, and was then joined by Carol Woods. The two of them had a lot of fun, Carol did some awesome riffing, and Roz did some great audience interaction. Their last mama's good to you was great.

Then James Naughton did All I Care About. Huge audience response. He was great, very much enjoyed the number. He got to do a bit of the dialogue with Roxie immediately following the scene, and he was brilliant. I could tell what a great original Billy he must have been.

Then Brooke and Brent Barrett did We Both Reached for The Gun. That was very cool of Brooke to do that number, as it's not exactly a Roxie-featured number. She was a good sport, and actually did a really good job with the funny Roxie puppet-like mechanisms.

Brent was...woow. I've actually never got to see his Billy, and I've heard he's one of the best, and he certainly proved it last night. The final "the" he just held and held and held and it was gorgeous. A great performance.

Now, Roxie. I guess an alarm went off? I wasn't positive what was going on, but there was some annoying huge noise during Melanie's monologue before the song. Like a previous poster said, maybe it was Gwen. And Walter stepped forward, called her over to him, grabbed her hand, and told her to start over. She was fine and kind of fun to watch during this monologue. She was like okay, "I guess this is take 2" in Roxie mode. I can see why she might have received some praise as Roxie--when she was just speaking, she was good. I kept hanging onto some hope that they were smart enough to just let her speak and bring in a new Roxie to sing, but no such luck. Melanie sang and...oy oy oy. And the song of course dragged, when all I wanted was for it to be over. So much talent on that stage and Melanie got to sing such an important song

Anyway, after recovering from that...Amra Faye Wright did an amazing I Can't Do It Alone. IMO, one of the absolute standout performances of the night. She's a great dancer and singer. She was one I was very sad to have not known until now who she was, because she was one of the stars of the night.

Then Karen and Ruthie Henshall ended the first act with My Own Best Friend. What a powerhouse number. And I just adore Ruthie. And I mean Karen was great, the song was great, but then Ruthie's ending All That Jazz just gave me chills.

When the orchestra stood up and got applause and started to play the overture, they announced the original revival cast who all came out for some dancing. I'm pretty sure Ann slid out and danced some of Me and My Baby, but I'm not positive.

Then Charlotte did Me and My Baby--gah, she's just great. Great dancing and her silliness/acting in Roxie--she really does such a great job with the character.

Then Joel emerged to a huge applause. Did the opening dialogue before Cellophane, started to sing it, and the gloves came out. Huuge applause. Such a great performance. I was so happy to see that.

Then near the end of the song when he goes "I tell you" and starts kicking, Joel was on the side of the stage and led on all of the Amos who kicked together. Then they all formed a semi-circle around Joel for the end of the song, sang together a bit, and Joel took the last "I'm There." It was especially effective to have the bigger guys surrounding teeny Joel, really made him feel like he wasn't there. I wonder why all the other actors were so physically similar, and all so different from Joel--like why after he left, they totally changed the idea of Amos and stuck to that idea...if that makes sense.

And now I really need to get to class so I'll finish this when I get back.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 1:33pm

I thought Melanie did a FANTASTIC job. Her delivery of the monologue was pitch-perfect, and while yes, she is not a singer, she carried the tune just fine (for me at least) and I totally bought every second of it (and she handeled the whole having to start over pretty gracefully)

Other highlights for me were:
- Chita was pretty spectacular (but I knew she was doing the song, so, I wasn't suprised like everbody else)
- Joel Grey was very funny and gave a very heartfelt performance
- Caroline O'Connor was definitely the spunkiest Velma I have ever seen, and she did a great job with When Velma Takes The Stand
- Charlotte was very good as well, and she got some pretty loud applause throughout and at the end of Me and My Baby

[NBC]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 1:34pm

That was Nancy Hess who came out with the original ensemble (well, PART of the original ensemble, anyway...) and did a little of Me and My Baby with Jim Borstelmann and Rocker Verastique during the Entre Acte. Nancy was the original standby for Ann and Bebe.

And I think the problem during Melanie's monologue was a loose light, or something...I saw two guys run down the far right-hand aisle and it looked like they were readjusting something.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 1:39pm

From where I was sitting, it looked like they just unplugged whatever was making that noise.

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 3:06pm

"I wonder why all the other actors were so physically similar, and all so different from Joel--like why after he left, they totally changed the idea of Amos and stuck to that idea...if that makes sense"

Because Joel Grey, as beyond brilliant as he was, was miscast in this role the way it was originally intended to be. The role was created by Barney Martin, who was a big guy and therefor it was funny when he was such a nebbish that no one noticed him. Most of the Amos casting in the revival has gone back to that original version, the only "small" Amos was Joel Grey who was originally only for the Encores concert but thereby carried over with the show when it went to Broadway.

I am SO depressed I missed this performance. If I can't figure out a way to get to the city and see Bebe as Roxie I am gonna DIE!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 4:07pm

Can someone tell me what Wayne Brady did?? I know he was supposed to be there or did he not show up???

[NBC]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 4:34pm

He was one of the Billys who sang some of Razzle Dazzle...I think he might have been the third or fourth one onstage for that number.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 4:59pm

I'd die to see Ruthie in Chicago again... I bet her Act 1 ending was amazing :'(
Why is Ute/Sandy Duncan not in the performance?

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 5:43pm

Thesb, it's good you said that, b/c it's probably important for me to mention something. I'm a musician, and I SUFFER from having a pitch-perfect ear. When I'm watching a performance, if my ear is really hurting me, I can't appreciate any other aspects of the performance/singing. There's been plenty of times that I've been with friends and family and I've seen singers who have gorgeous voices but who just were off-tune, hurting my ear, and everyone I was with thought the performer did a fabulous job. I'm certainly not saying that makes me better, on the contrary, I often wish I didn't have the ear so I would be able to enjoy some of those performances more. So that was a huge issue with Melanie for me. In terms of tonality, I'm much harder on performers than an average audience-member. So I just want to clarify that in terms of my dislike of Melanie's singing. I agree, she was good for the monologue, but like I said, the singing killed it for me.

Thank you (yet again) NBC. When it happened, I thought it was Ann, but then I thought back and thought wait maybe that wasn't her...hmm. Aww, that's cool that the original Roxie/Velma standby had a bit of a solo.

Hmm, thank you for answering the Amos question Broadway Bob. I guess that makes sense that Amos was originally the way the others have been, then to have gone back to the original version after Joel left. Just makes Joel's performance all-the-more brilliant. And though it just happened, it still was very interesting when the larger Amos's surrounded the teeny one--just a neat effect.

Wayne was the 3rd Billy during Razzle Dazzle.

I imagine anyone who did not perform just weren't able to make it.

Okay, will finish my review shortly.

[JustABroadwaybaby2]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 5:51pm

Was Michael Beresse there?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 5:58pm

Another poster said that Charlotte was the only cast member out of ACL last night, so both Michael and Deidre were not in attendance.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 6:19pm

So I left off with Cellophane...

Joel's "I hope I didn't take up too much of your time" got an ironic laugh from the audience.

Caroline O'Connor did When Velma Takes the Stand. I liked her spunk as well. And a very strong request for her exit music.

Ooh, forgot that Terra C. Macleod did I know a girl.

Lynda Carter did some of Mama's funny dialogue.

Paige Davis and Kevin Richardson came on for Razzle Dazzle (at least just Kevin at the beginning). Paige was cute, a good pick to express her nervousness of the trial. I...had such hatred of the Backstreet Boys that there's no way I can unbiasly say how he did, so I will let someone else take it. I'm pretty sure he wasn't amazing or awful.

Huey Lewis then came on as Kevin stepped to the side. Umm, this was...okay, there's like 4 verses to the song right? So Kevin did the first one, Huey did the second one, then they both went on the platform where the orchestra was as Wayne came out to do the third verse, for the fourth verse they all sang together, and were joined by 3 other Billy's...I know one of them was Destan Owens. Then another Billy...I know Tom Wopat was Billy up until the trial, and then John O'Hurley was Billy during the trial...I can't remember if Tom Wopat took the very end of Razzle Dazzle, if no one did, or if someone else did. But yeah, all the Billy's with the sparkles and everything pouring down singing Razzle Dazzle was pretty impressive. They were good, all powerful.

Bianca Marroquin was Roxie during the trial. I really liked her, she had this...quirkiness to her...it fit Roxie, and made the scenes interesting and entertaining.

then Marcia Lewis Bryan did Class, and was fabulous...what a great, old edge...and...I'm not sure I know who the Velma was...shoot...help NBC! Anyway, she was good, the two of them doing great with the cynicism and negativity and such. This may be my favorite song in the show, and it didn't disappoint.

Ooh, Roy Bean's reveal as Mary was funny, as was he the rest of the night.

Umm, so as mentioned, Ashlee was Roxie when she was declared innocent, her final scene with Amos, and the first Nowadays. Like I said...she...wasn't...bad. A bit of odd excitement near the end, but she actually...didn't hurt my ears, had an edge to her voice, got the message of the song across. Not the best of the night exactly...but not bad.

Ooh, I think there was a mike problem, I was pretty sure at one point during Ashlee's song we were hearing Ann and Bebe talking backstage. Oops.

So to no one's surprise, they came on for the final Nowadays. What a treat. Huge applause. Their voices still meshed well, and they had that wonderful slightly-evil twinkle in their eyes. The little hints of dancing were also great, and well-cheered. Then they both moved offstage to appear back on for The Hot Honey Rag, and like I said, Bebe came back on stage...with Michelle DeJean. I suppose Ann had good reason for not doing it. Still would have been great to see. I feel like I might have rather seen Charlotte do with Bebe or something, not that Michelle wasn't great, but..yeah. Anyway, soo great to see Bebe do the rag. She is a really great Fosse dancer. When the dance was over, and Velma and Roxie were given flowers, Michelle went offstage to lead/drag (probably a bit of both) Ann back on to do the final dialogue with Bebe. Lots of laughter applause about how they are the perfect example of this country. And a final delectable "all that jazz."

Curtain call started with the usual ensemble cast doing their thing. Then the main characters all bowed together--the Marys, the Mamas, the Amos's, the Billys, the Velmas and Roxies together. I'm sure many pictures of them all on stage will appear.

So then the Weisslers went onstage to speak. Umm, thanked lots of people. Barry spoke first, thanking people who helped make tonight possible. Fran said she had to take some important people, including the wonderful scenic designer....couldn't remember his name.

Well, Ann got special cheers for choreographing it, and all the people who worked on the revival--costume guy, music director, Walter Bobbie, and especially the people who started it all--John and Fred and Bob. (Was Gwen said in there somewhere? Maybe Chita and Gwen? I can't remember).

Anyway, I think Bob was the last one mentioned. Of course. Appropriate.

Then if you didn't rush out, you got a very special treat. As the orchestra played the exit music, there were people hugging and such, and they left the stage one by one, and finally there were 4 actors left on the stage--Chita, Ann, Bebe and Joel. The 4 of them danced together in the center in front of the center stage exit. At one point they all danced around Joel, it was really funny, but it was basically just them all dancing together. What a scene. So appropriate. Such a great treat. All having great fun. The music stopped, we cheered one more time, and they exited.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 9:14pm

URGH. Ruthie did the act 1 finale? The more I read the more I wanna cry!

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 9:31pm

Who was Mary Sunshine?

[NYCtheater]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 9:40pm

Does anyone know who choreographed the additional/new choreography last night? Was it Ann Reinking or the dance captains??? Someone else? Such as the original ensemble dancing at the beginning of Act II and All That Jazz were a few.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 10:22pm

especially the people who started it all--John and Fred and Bob. (Was Gwen said in there somewhere? Maybe Chita and Gwen? I can't remember).


- They BETTER have mentioned Gwen. Considering a musical adaption of CHICAGO was all her idea, and Fosse created this all for her. Gwen was so important in the creation of this musical, and she was VERY fond and proud of the revival. I hope she got her credit last night. It seems she was certainly in the theatre. God, I wish she could've have been there physically.
Updated On: 11/15/06 at 10:22 PM

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 10:25pm

The three Mary Sunshines were D Sabella, R Bean, and R Lowe.

Well, considering what you wrote...yes, they must have mentioned Gwen. At first I thought they did, but then I thought did they mention Chita and point to her? Actually, I think they did...but my mind kept circling well Jerry and so forth? But yeah, they must have definitely mentioned Gwen.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 10:52pm

Man it really is amazing to see Chita perform ATJ, styled almost exactly as she was in 1975! She can't quite sing it as strong as she did in 75, but all the spunk and power is still there.

This must've been so bitter-sweet for Chita. Fosse, Verdon, Ebb, Orbach, McCarthy, and Barney Martin are all gone. How sad is that? Chita and Kander are basically the only two from the original production left standing.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 1:04am

Wow, I didn't really think about that. That's just sad. I mean, it's not like it was THAT long ago. I mean, it was the fact that most of the people involved were relatively older, but still.

So then the evening was perfectly started out with those two: John reading the first line, and Chita's ATJ.