Who was the best Roxie Hart? — Page 2

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#26

Who was the best Roxie Hart?

Posted: 2/20/21 at 8:47pm

Jarethan said: "There is no question in my mind who the best Roxie was: Gwen Verdon. No one came close to her. Hell, one could argue that Reinking mimickedher shamelessly, particularly in the original production (Reinking was Roxie when the original show closed.

It was exciting to be in the audience when Liza was in the show. She was as game as could be, her voice was terrific, and the audience loved her; but Chicago is first and foremost a dance show and Liza was not in Verdon's or Reinking's league. Seen a lot of other Roxies, but none came close to Verdon.

If you had asked about the best Velma, I would have talked about how great Chita Rivera was, but I actually thought that Bebe Neuwirth was even better. For me, it was one of the great female performances on the musical stage (probably Top 10 for me)."

This was my very first Broadway show and I had the pleasure of seeing the original cast! Gwen will always be Roxie and Chita is Velma for me!

Be Kind

#27

Who was the best Roxie Hart?

Posted: 2/20/21 at 11:31pm

I too agree with Karen Ziemba (my first Roxie) and Sandy Duncan. I also always enjoy seeing Bianca. Bebe was good in all three roles but nothing will ever come close to her Velma.

#28

Who was the best Roxie Hart?

Posted: 2/21/21 at 11:58am

Gwen Verdon.

Well-well-well-what-do-you-think-of-that-I-have-nothing-here-to-pay-my-train-fare-with-only-large-bills-fives-and-sevens....

#29

Who was the best Roxie Hart?

Posted: 2/21/21 at 6:53pm

Curious if anyone got to see Chita on the 2nd national tour as Roxie? She only did the role for a few months.

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.

#30

Who was the best Roxie Hart?

Posted: 2/21/21 at 8:20pm

ACL2006 said: "Curious if anyone got to see Chita on the 2nd national tour as Roxie? She only did the role for a few months."

I saw her in Toronto. I'm not sure if she was good at playing Roxie, but she was great at giving you all she had onstage. She could've been playing any role and she would've been great.

Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#31

Who was the best Roxie Hart?

Posted: 2/21/21 at 8:26pm

ACL2006 said: "Curious if anyone got to see Chita on the 2nd national tour as Roxie? She only did the role for a few months."

I saw Chita when she joined the London production for a limited run and she was truly memorable. Of course she was too old by then but she acknowledged that herself, to hilarious comic effect, and brought a sense of glamour, showbiz magic and sheer fun to the role that far outweighed any misgivings about her suitability. Her ‘Roxie’ monologue went on at least twice as long as anybody else’s as she was having so much fun with the male dancers and indeed the audience. I always think it’s essential that Roxie is likable, well Chita was ADORABLE.

Even having said that, the best Roxie out of the 18 I’ve seen was Josefina Gabrielle in the West End. Best known in the States for playing Laurey in the UK National Theatre’s OKLAHOMA! opposite Hugh Jackman on film and Patrick Wilson on Broadway, and as Gussie in the Menier filmed version of Merrily, she was also a stunning Velma in the last London revival. Her Roxie ticked every box: she looked like Rita Hayworth, danced like an angel, was hilariously funny, cute, oddly poignant....could not take ones eyes off of her.

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