I was surprised by this. I just assumed this would run forever(ish). Does this say anything about the Broadway productions longevity? I haven't checked it's grosses.
I certainly don't like to 'want' a production to close, though I do feel Chicago's time has passed. link
Chicago's time passed years ago on Broadway. I can't speak for the West End, I never saw it, though I'm quite sure it was just a carbon copy of the revival, yes?
I mean, when you cast Billy Ray Cyrus in a role made perfect by Jerry Orbach... Jerry Springer was more forgivable.
Are you high Overkill? Think what you will about Billy Ray Cyrus...but he's a professional singer. His music might not be your music, but he sings. Jerry Springer is merely a glorified circus carny whose lot in life is to emcee the dregs of society in front of a national audience. I'm not a fan of Billy Ray Cyrus, but he deserves a chance to prove himself. Just saying...from RC in Austin, Texas
The Broadway production needs to close too. It was the most boring and lifeless production of a show I have seen. Most of the ensemble has been in it for years and drag the show. When you have to stunt cast for years that should be a sign that no one wants to see your show just the person starring in it.
I'm not underestimating the man's talent as a singer or a performer at all... but Billy Ray as a suave, smooth talking Chicago lawyer in the 1920's? Have you seen the man act? Go watch a few episodes of Hannah Montana, or even his short lived reality show that came on CMT... the man can't even act like himself when he has to - I'm not holding out much hope for his portrayal. But really, my point isn't Billy Ray's talent - it's the fact that he was cast at all. Chicago stunt casts, and it's known for doing so... this is no different. The fact that it needs to stunt cast on such a regular basis just seems to point out the fact that it's been running out of steam for years now... 6,000 + performances is nothing to sneeze at. Christie Brinkley is...
Add me to the camp that says Cyrus's casting speaks volumes about the show's current state... I love the show and all, but their recent casting choices have made me think it's time to close up shop.
I remember when I saw the show a few years ago the entire ensemble was 35+, not to mention just plain tired-looking. Shouldn't this show demand a sexy ensemble in their 20's? Their entire advertising campaign has been built on sex-appeal.
For a lot of reasons, the producers of "Chicago" have needed to find "unorthodox" choices for pivotal roles. Granted, some of those choices have been more successful than others. People will constrantly belittle some of those choices. But the plain fact is that "Chicago" has done what is necessary to keep the show operating. Obviously, that is not to everyone's liking...but the show has prevailed for 15 years +..while countless of other musicals have bitten the dust. I've seen "Chicago" a few times (twice on tour and 4 times on Broadway). I've been lucky to have seen the show, close to the stage. It's exciting seeing the action so closely. Speaking of the West End Chicago....it's always sad to see a show end its run after so many years. I hope that the Broadway Chicago lasts as long as possible. It gives joy and excitement to a lot of people...not to mention the employment it provides to cast, crew, orchestra, theatre staff, etc. I don't even want to think about a Broadway w/o "Chicago." from RC in Austin, Texas
I find it ironic that of all shows, the one about cebrity and "15 minutes of fame" is the one that casts the modern day examples. Maybe this whole production is just one big social experiment!
Should have handed the production over to Cameron Mackintosh.
He's so proud of his new, thrifty, speed-racer paced (overtime costs), cartoony, reedy Les Mis, I'm sure he would take those lessons and put them to good use in Chicago. The fans? What fans? Since when does he care what his decisions do to fans? LOL.
He'd have Roxy played by that fake hog from that one recent flop of his and chuck the entire orchestra and replace them with DYNAMIC video renderings of a bunch of musicians playing instruments.
Besides, video and projections are all the rage these days!
I saw it about 6 years ago and didn't really care for it, but then I saw it about 4 months ago and LOVED it- it was in amazing shape and like a totally different show.
^ I had the same experience with the national tour. One time I saw it and it was insipid, stale, and lifeless. I saw it a couple years later and it was sleek, stark, and sharp.
Should close? Needs to close? This is why you people are just FANS, not Producers. "Chicago" costs nothing to run, nothing to advertise and in a theater no one kills to book, and it makes money. It's called Show Business, Folks. Keep your day jobs.
If I remember correctly, not only did Melanie Griffith sell tickets..but she also got some very good reviews for her performance of a woman who could not sing or act.:)
I'm obviously a fan of "Chicago". But I remember a little snippet of Melanie's performance as "Roxie" in a 10th anniversary video, I think. I was honestly, not very impressed. Her singing was awful. from RC in Austin, Texas
And keep it closed this time! And while they are at it, close the one on Broadway too. The Weisslers can run it at the "theatre" in the back yard of their estate and charge the idiots who go to see it
Ah, reading this thread brings back some memories. I saw this show back in '96 when it was at the Aldephi Theatre. I don't always get to follow what's going on here, so I was surprised that the same production was still running over there after all these years. The only thing I can say is that I remember having enjoyed it and thought it funny I had travelled all the way to London from Boston to see Chicago.... I still have the ticket stub and booklet ( ? - I gather they don't call them "playbills" in London?).
Since I was traveling for business back then, I also saw "Passion", "Sunset Boulevard", and "Martin Guerre" (afaik, that show never made it to the states). The exchange rates were great for US travelers back then, and so I felt like a kid in a candy store being able to afford these shows!
To the poster who thinks the show would benefit by replacing the cast with 20-somethings: I just saw Bring It On. Youth and exuberance don't necessarily mean "better" or even "good". I saw the original cast of the Chicago revival. (I was in my early thirties at the time.) I thought the older ensemble, including several long-time Fosse dancers, many over 40, MADE the show. Chicago is not about cheery, peppy kids giving a hard sell. It, like many Fosse (and Kander and Ebb shows) takes a more-an-slightly jaded view of its subject matter. 20-somethings who play jaded, come across as smug brats. It takes been-there, older dancer-actors to pull it off. The Bring It On girls would bring NOTHING to The Cell Block Tango.
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Posted: 7/13/12 at 03:16pm