d'Amboise to return to Chicago(again)

Curious - is this a show that you re-view often, and if not, why do you care? She's great in the role. Who do you want to see?

Slightly off-topic, I read an Isherwood article recently about replacements, and how sometimes they're better than the original, spurred, no doubt, by Peterson and Stritch in ALNM.

The article reminded me that Michael Berresse, who originated Fred Casely in Chicago's revival, was an understudy and eventually a replacement for a time as Billy Flynn. Isherwood said Berresse was his favorite Flynn of the 1/2 dozen or so that he had seen. I know he's busy with High with Kathleen Turner right now, but I'd love to see him re-visit the role.

I pretty much agree with newintown in this one, though I still think Chicago is good theater, if not what it once was. I'll see it from time to time, if someone I know is in it, or out of towners want to go. It's never bored me, and I've seen it many, many times, though not always as a patron.
Isherwood's article on sometimes superior replacements

I saw Michael Berresse as Flynn- he was one of the best!

I'll freely confess to having a bias for Berresse, Joe, and I also really enjoyed him as Flynn - and I've seen far more Flynns than Isherwood has. I liked Tom Hewitt, too. Barrett has a fantastic voice, but I always found him a little bland - non-threatening. Berresse and Hewitt really conveyed the absolute ruthlessness of the character. They made you and their Roxies understand that they held her life in their hands and truly didn't care if she lived or died, unless she had the money and was willing to do exactly as he said: "They'd love you better if you were hanged. That's Chicago!" . Never cared for Wopat.

Totally agree with jonart that Braxton was fantastic, and will add Diedre Goodwin and Mamie Duncan-Gibbs to the Velma list, and loved Roz and Carol as Mama. Also Michelle Robinson.

Oh, and Belle Callaway was a great Roxie, as was Sandy Duncan (who knew?).

Updated On: 8/24/10 at 07:33 PM

I'm really excited Charlotte's returning. I saw Chicago years ago and had no real incentive to go back until now

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Having seen the show a little over 40 times, Charlotte has continually been a stellar Roxie. She's a trouper through and through, and always gives her all in the role. Considering she's often the Roxie when no "stars" are in the role, she's been really the backbone of the show for the last decade.

Having listened to the various revival cast recordings recently, what they really need to do with that show is take a look at the music direction. The faster tempos and cluttered orchestrations are really a distraction the last few times I've seen the show.

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I know that Reichen Lehmkuhl would love to play Billy Flynn. He's told me so and he'd be interesting casting.

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I had never seen the show before but I was recently cast as Amos at a regional theatre. I am considering seeing it now.

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d'Amboise is an excellent "Roxie." Not nearly as fabulous as she used to be (a paycheck is a paycheck and the last few times I've seen her have been fairly phoned-in) BUT still a solid account of the role.

It's hard to top her "Me And My Baby."

Kev, what other recent Roxies have done the "Me and My Baby" leaps besides d'Amboise? Henshall doesn't do them. And If I remember correctly, DeJean didn't either, right? Who else has recently?

Of recent Roxies, the only two to have done leaps (that I've seen) have been d'Amboise and, to a lesser extent, Bonnie Langford. Marroquin, DeJean, and recent "name" Roxies (Simpson-Wentz, Williams) did not, though I'm sure most were capable. I never saw Bryn Dowling.

And just a reference to d'Amboise's joyful "MAMB":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew8JSoxqXcI

I'm just waiting for her to return to Carrie.