d'Amboise to return to Chicago(again)

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 3:49pm

I had a feeling she'd be returning soon. I'm just tired of Chicago recycling cast members over and over. Can't they find anyone new to play Velma, Roxie & Billy??
d'Amboise to return to Chicago, O'Hurley Extends

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 4:16pm

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?

Posted: 8/24/10 at 4:26pm

'People returning to shows' is one of the great issues of our time, along with 'musicals that are adapted from other sources and so, are not truly original'.

They are "problems" that can be infinitely bemoaned, giving much joy to those theater fans that enjoy complaining about theater far more than actually watching it.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 4:40pm

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.

[newintown]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 4:44pm

Chicago, like other infinitely-running shows, is less theatre now than an industry. Does it really matter who is in it at this point?

I saw this production almost 14 years ago, enjoyed it very much, went back a few years later with out-of-town friends, enjoyed it a bit less, and will never see it again because the money and time are better spent on seeing a new show.

But NYC's gigantic tourist trade needs a guaranteed hit or two (that don't require much English) to enjoy, and this show fills the bill. At least it's more interesting than Cats, Phantom, or Mamma Mia.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 4:58pm

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

[Kalimba]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 5:59pm

Once was enough for me.

Posted: 8/24/10 at 6:08pm

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

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 6:53pm

there is several oft recycled performers who are great in this show, even more so when they've had some time off between stints.

Brent Barrett and Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn
Brenda Braxton and Amra Fay Wright as Velma
Charlotte D'Amboise as Roxie
Roz Ryan and Carol Woods as Mama

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 7:33pm

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

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:57am

I do visit the show about every two years or so. I think Charlotte's the best Roxie I've seen, but I would really like to see them bring in some new faces to the show and give someone new a chance. I don't have anyone in mind that I'd like to see, I just think it would be nice to see some new faces in these roles.

[rachelbway1011]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 4:34pm

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

[bryan2]

Posted: 8/26/10 at 4:51pm

Now here is someone who deserves a replacement TONY
she is amazin in it and keeps coming up with new thngs to make
it seem fresh!!! I just love Charlotte!

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/26/10 at 9:35pm

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.

[Dollypop]

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

I have never seen Charlotte perform. Ever.

Each time I have a ticket for a show she's in, her understudy goes on. I'm getting paranoid.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/26/10 at 10:03pm

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

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/27/10 at 5:01pm

All the shows I have seen...I have never ever seen Chicago (due to its status as a stalwart show)

If D'Amboise is really good, I may actually consider seeing it.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 8/28/10 at 2:45am

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

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/28/10 at 4:24pm

Love Charlotte. Love CHICAGO. Love Charlotte in CHICAGO. Good news indeed

[Kev]

Posted: 8/28/10 at 9:02pm

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."

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/28/10 at 9:34pm

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?
Updated On: 8/28/10 at 09:34 PM

[Kev]

Posted: 8/28/10 at 10:02pm

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

[My Oh My]

Posted: 8/29/10 at 7:45am

Her returns obviously mean she doesn't suck, hehe. But I can see how someone might get tired of seeing the same performer time and time again. But then you'd totally wish she was there if the "fresh face" cast in her place sucks, lol.

It's more about long runs and that comes with the territory. I saw her yeeeeears ago alongside Jasmine Guy in L.A. and thought she was fabulous and her dancing was infectious.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 8/29/10 at 8:54am

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

[GatorNY]

Posted: 8/29/10 at 11:03am

I go for the chorus boys.