Who's in Chicago right now on Broadway?

[AndrewClay]

Posted: 5/19/03 at 12:39pm

My mother is coming to town and wants to see it. Is it worth it or should I convince her to see something else?

Andrew

[CJR]

Posted: 5/19/03 at 1:26pm

Chicago is definitely worth it -- I think your mother would love it.

Currently we have:

Tracy Shayne as Roxie
Brenda Braxton as Velma
Gregory Harrison as Billy
Angie Stone as Mama

I was just there Sunday and the cast is in great shape.. private message me if you want further details :)

Tracy Shayne: The Official Website

[AndrewClay]

Posted: 5/19/03 at 1:57pm

Or just a coincidence?

Andrew

[CJR]

Posted: 5/19/03 at 2:00pm

I am webmistress to both Roxane Carrasco and Tracy Shayne (both pictured in my icon).

In an unbiased opinion though (and from the COMPLETELY unbiased opinions of people sitting around me last weekend) the cast really is in great shape.

[AndrewClay]

Posted: 5/19/03 at 2:09pm

how do you become a webmistress to a broadway star?

[CJR]

Posted: 5/19/03 at 2:21pm

You can start by making a tribute site... (unofficial fan site, as some call it). Maybe if you have met them before, you can approach them, telling them about your site and how you'd like it if they would take a look at it and consider making it an official/authorized website.

Other times, if that is what you do for a living, you can just send them a proposal expressing your interest in running/creating their official site and explaining why you would have the edge over other web designers.

In my case, both of my sites are official and I am friends with both Roxane and Tracy. I began Tracy's site as a surprise/thank you sort of thing, and it took off from there. Rox... well I proposed the idea to her -- basically it was me saying "what do you think of 'The Official Roxane Carrasco Website'?" and her saying "Why? Would you want to do it? (me: yes) Suuuuure :)" Tracy's website is undergoing a reconstruction and a new logo is in the works -- which is why it still says "the original website." Trace has always known about/supported the website and the work I have done on it, only recently did it get the "official" seal of approval.

CJR
www.roxanecarrasco.com
www.geocities.com/tracyshayne1

Updated On: 5/19/03 at 02:21 PM

[AndrewClay]

Posted: 5/19/03 at 2:32pm

My mom loved the movie so was interested in the stage show also. I haven't seen either one. Do you do anyone else's web sites?

How long has this site been around? I just stumbled on it today but it seems like a good community.

Andrew

[CJR]

Posted: 5/19/03 at 2:37pm

Nope -- Unless you count the one I do for myself for ****s and giggles, I only do Rox and Tracy's.

This sites been up, what? a Few weeks? I quite like the layout myself :)

You'll enjoy Chicago -- it's a wonderful show. Rox currently plays Annie (she has a thick spanish character accent, you can't miss her) and Tracy plays Roxie.

Have fun!

[KB]

Posted: 5/19/03 at 3:01pm

[babyface]

Posted: 5/19/03 at 5:22pm

Go make momma happy!

[CJR]

Posted: 5/19/03 at 10:58pm

for ****s and giggles (and a little shameless self promotion)

www.geocities.com/htsmith1

It's definitely not as good as the Official Websites I run, but then again I don't put nearly the same amount of dedication into it....

and let's get a big ass WOO-YEAH! for Brent returning to Chicago!!!! :)

Posted: 5/20/03 at 12:38am

I think the collages are nice, but the layouts of the official websites are a little distracting, and the permanently italicized font is a little hard on the eyes and detracts from the professionalism that is typical of an official site. Sites such as yours remind me more of unofficial websites. There are very professionally done official websites, for example the amazing Kerry Butler website (which I do not design for), that manage to use fun fonts in their graphics, but the actual text is a normal font that's readable, and the layout is very user friendly. I wouldn't say copy them exactly, but I might take a few suggestions from them.

--uptowngirl
Kerry Butler

[violet hilton]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 1:33am

Being a web designer myself (not of actors' websites), I'll have to agree with uptowngirl. I, also, suggest taking a look at some other official websites to get ideas. :)

[CJR]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 9:22am

Actually, you are the first (professional webdesigners included -- and I *have* asked several to review the site and give me ideas/input on what can be fixed and changed) to say that the layout of Roxane's website is NOT user friendly. Quite to the contrary -- I have always gotten praise to the high heavens from fans of hers who visit the site on just *how* user friendly it is. Also, knowing people who have unofficial sites, I do not know how you could accurately say it reminds you of an unofficial fan site.

Now Tracy's on the other hand... her site is being upgraded and worked on -- I stated that in a previous post. I don't want to take the site down in the during the upgrade, so I keep it running with 'what I've got', so to speak. Until I get the new pictures, there isn't a whole lot I can do.

Kerry Butler's website is done by a person who does this for a living. (Craig - He also does my friend Donna Lynne's website) I'm not a webdesigner by trade. I'm an actress who works in mortgage banking part time.

As long as Tracy and Roxane like their websites and their layouts (and they do) that's really all that matters to me.

You both said you design websites... let's see what you have done :) I'd be interested.

CJR

[Craig]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 9:24am

Thank you very much uptowngirl for your endorsement of Kerry's site. I'm the webmaster and designer and appreciate the accolades! (shameless plug but then some useful info after)

Other sites...
http://www.marissajaretwinokur.net
http://www.johnhillonline.com
http://www.michellepirret.com
http://www.donnalynnechamplin.com
http://www.lizcaplan.com
http://www.mediarightproductions.com
http://www.laurencampbell.tv

The following is something I posted over a year ago on a newsgroup when someone posed the question about what makes a good "site".
---------------------------------------------------------------
Well, as a graphic designer (and also web), here's my input on this matter..I will say upfront that I am not deeming myself an expert in any way... but these are my thoughts...

- Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD. Meaning, just because you can do fancy flash animations, scrolling text, blinking graphics, frames, ebmedded audio, etc doesn't mean you should. I would take a simple clean site over an amazing display of technology any day.

- A performers website should be their "home" -- it should represent them both in style and content. An off-beat, quirky site is not going to work for a performer who is straight laced and dramatic. Conversely, someone who is considered quirky, fun-loving, etc really shouldn't have a website that looks like it's a mortuary. Also, the purpose of the site is important to define. Is it a professional site, a marketing venue, a dedication to fans -- what is the goal?

- You should really never be more than 2-3 clicks away from the information the audience wants/needs. The web is still a short attention span medium (yes we can all surf for hours..and if it's a great site, even more so) -- but generally...people go to a site and want to get their information asap.

- Actual architecture of a site should be browser friendly -- a good designer will ensure this. Meaning that all pages and functions of the website appear the same in all browsers. Many times, this is easier said than done.. those who don't know the differences between netscape and IE and their quirks would be surprised at how tricky this can be.

- Load time -- even though we are in the age of high speed, pages should still be designed with the slowest connection in mind (and also the lowest screen resolution). This can sometimes be impossible, based on the content needed to be displayed... but in short -- graphics, etc should be optimized
as best they can.

- Uniformity in design. A site should have consistancy. Same colors, fonts (and not dozens of them), etc. Exceptions apply of course. For example, a site I designed has a "main" site, which is the professional side of a performer, and then a whole other breakout section devoted to the fans. But, each section is uniform unto itself.

I could go on, and if anyone is interested, feel free to email me. I think it's important for the performer to be involved in the creation and content of their own site. Many official sites were/are fan sites that the performer just said "sure... it can be official". It makes a world of difference when the performer is actually involved continuously in the project.

[CJR]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 9:39am

I think it's important for the performer to be involved in the creation and content of their own site. Many official sites were/are fan sites that the performer just said "sure... it can be official". It makes a world of difference when the performer is actually involved continuously in the project

I feel the same way. And Roxane is always involved/gets the final say on how something looks or what does or doesn't get put on the site. I basically have free artistic liberty, but if I ever do anything drastic (layout or appearance wise) I always run it past her -- and SHE gets the option to say yay or nay.

A performers website should be their "home" -- it should represent them both in style and content. An off-beat, quirky site is not going to work for a performer who is straight laced and dramatic. Conversely, someone who is considered quirky, fun-loving, etc really shouldn't have a website that looks like it's a mortuary.

EXACTLY! I feel that Rox's site represents her very well (and so does she). She can be dead serious, but then come out with something unexpected and make everyone burst into hysterical laughter. I try to convey both her fun nature and her professionalism on the site. I am actually currently awaiting more material from her on her professional career.

Thank you Craig, for those guidelines -- I feel those are basically something I've always tried to follow.

Updated On: 5/20/03 at 09:39 AM

[Craig]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 9:42am

Those guidelines weren't directed to you (which I am sure you already knew)... I just thought Andrew might be interested...

[CJR]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 9:46am

Oh I know that -- they just back up what I was trying to articulate, but not doing a very good job of.. (I'm still half asleep, what do people want from me! lol)

[CJR]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 9:56am

The last website link I posted (www.geocities.com/htsmith1) is my personal website which I really only have for ****s and giggles. I neglect it more than I work on it.

[Craig]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 10:33am

As an FYI, although it would appear from my list of sites, web design is actually NOT my profession per se. It's actually a paying hobby....

[Rob]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 11:11am

Most of my own credits are up in the left column of www.robertdiamond.com, and one of the parts of my day is running a technical publication for web developers...

Whenever I've been asked to pick the one must important thing to think about when creating a web site - I've always answered with the same point, and that's to design it for your users. Too often, usability seems to come last after wild designs, functionality, etc... Some of the best sites out there, are also the simplest sites out there. Users first!

Rob Updated On: 9/26/04 at 11:11 AM

Posted: 5/20/03 at 11:21am

I never said I was a web designer, I was just making a comment is all.

[Craig]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 11:23am

Rob -

that's basically a very concise version of my ramblings. I agree. I would trade ooooh ahhhh factor over usability every single time.

[AndrewClay]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 11:32am

You'll be pleased to know that I did get tickets for my mother after all. Learned a lot about web sites too. You guys are the best.

Andrew

[CJR]

Posted: 5/20/03 at 8:22pm

Glad to hear you did get them... when are you planning on going?

CJR