I will be going to NYC for the first time at the end of June, and have been trying to choose a show to see. I have narrowed it down to CHICAGO or NEWSIES, and would love to hear what you guys have to say about the two shows, in comparison. By the way, the show does not have to be kid-friendly. Thanks in advance for the input!
Newsies simply because the cast still has life and energy. Also the production still it's inital spark that faded in Chicago long before it's 100th attempt at stunt casting.
I'm not wholly fond of the monochromatic set design for CHICAGO, especailly after seeing the film. Also, when I saw the TOUR of the Broadway production in like 2005 or so, they didn't dance in "Cell Block Tango." The women sat on stools with prison looking lights lowered over them. I'd hope that the Broadway version is different... but I don't know, having never seen it in NYC.
I also haven't seen NEWSIES, but I love the OBC recording. I just feel like NEWSIES is a flashier and brighter show, which is more appealing to most tourists.
::Shudders to think of the pot I juts stirred and hornets nest I just kicked::
I'm not the biggest fan of either but I'd definitely pick Newsies if you're deciding between the two. Newsies definitely still has energy and a freshness to it while Chicago feels as stale as ever.
Do you only have time to see one? Or is it money? Only asking because you can get rush seats for Chicago for $37 that are pretty awesomem and rear mezz at Newsies is usually not too expensive with a great view (mezz is best at that show).
That said, from the two options you give, I'd pick Newsies, although not because I think the cast of Chicago is stale. (The cast is actually transitioning now to new leads, who seem very enthusiastic about their new roles.) The choreography in Newsies is phenomenal, and I grew up on Alan Menken's music, so I'm partial to that show :)
DECarke- the women don't dance during the Cell Block Tango on Broadway, either.
Definitely Newsies. Great choreography and dancing, songs, story, set, characters, costumes. I didn't enjoy Chicago the one time I saw it on Broadway last year - it lacked all of the above elements for me.
Without a doubt Newsies. The best thing for Chicago to do is close (save the "how dare you wish people out of work" crap) or completely recast the whole show with new younger more energetic performers.
I cannot comment on the current cast, but saw Chicago years about in NY and it was ok. I actually liked the movie better (which is backwards for me). I have tickets to see Newsies end of April and decided on that one becuase of the great reivews of it from here. It apparently is high energy with amazing dancing and choreography. Also, I downloaded the music from itunes and ma really enjoying it. Only thing with Newsies is the prime seats are $$$ but apparently the seats int he mezzanine are good too.
There is definitely a strong trend of disliking long-running shows on this board, so the OP should take that into consideration when reading this thread.
Newsies and Chicago are both choreography-driven shows, and I feel Chicago is the superior product. It's a classic, and yes believe it or not, it does still have energy and edge to it like it's still 1996.
My parents actually saw CHICAGO a long time ago-probably in LA-with Patrick Swayze (RIP) as Billy Flynn-but he had a cold at the time and they were very disappointed overall-especially because he did not have a tap number during Roxie's trial. They have since advised me that the film is superior to the stage version.
CHICAGO was not dance heavy when I saw it... that was what so upsetting about it.
"All that Jazz" - great dancing and lots of it - dance heavy "Funny Honey" - Roxie climbs a ladder - no dancing "Cell Block Tango" - sung on stools - no dancing "When You're Good to Mama" - sung while walking back and forth - no dancing "All I Care About" - Billy walks, chorus girls do big feather fan dance - minimal dancing "A Little Bit of Good" - I have no memory of this song what-so-ever. I think it was sung standing in one place... I might be wrong "We Both Reached for the Gun" - sung from on the stand, with great faocial expressions and looks - no dancing "Roxie" - minimal dancing, mostly strutting "I Can't Do It Alone" - dance heavy for 1 character "My Own Best Friend" - I don't remember this number either "I Know a Girl" - No memory of this number "Me and My Baby" - No memory of this number "Mr. Cellophane" - sung mostly in one place - no dancing "When Velma Takes the Stand" - sung from behind the stand - minimal to no dancing "Razzle Dazzle" - strutting, not dancing "Class" - sung on stolls, no dancing "Nowadays" - No dancing "Hot Honey Rag" - a hot rag dance! dance heavy! Best dance in the show! "Finale" - No memory of this part
The film has more dance (in my memory) than the stage version...
I feel that Newsies is a better show. I feel that Chicago does have dancing, but it is done by an ensemble that sleep walks through everything and it shows. I feel that Chicago is a show that is becoming rather bland and stale. A shell of its former self in a way. I am sure that it had energy and raves etc when it opened up in 1996. But,I feel it to be far removed from what it was.
Newsies on the other hand is something fresh and vibrant. There is heavy dancing and it is done with a lot of youthful energy. While you may be getting dancing in both, Newsies is a show that has more energy unlike Chicago, the cast doesn't look like their sleep walking through the duration of the show.
I saw Chicago in previews with the original cast and the first national tour and LOVED it, but have no idea what shape the Broadway production is in now. But "dancing" is more than just full-body high-energy production numbers featuring the entire cast.
"Cell Block Tango" - sung on stools - no dancing
Has dancing.
"All I Care About" - Billy walks, chorus girls do big feather fan dance - minimal dancing
Billy has minimal movement. Chorus girls dance the intro and the rest of the number.
"We Both Reached for the Gun" - sung from on the stand, with great faocial expressions and looks - no dancing
Brilliant choreography of Billy and Roxie while chorus dances.
"Roxie" - minimal dancing, mostly strutting
Roxie dances with "her boys".
"Me and My Baby" - No memory of this number
Roxie and chorus dance.
"When Velma Takes the Stand" - sung from behind the stand - minimal to no dancing
Dancing choreographed with chair.
"Razzle Dazzle" - strutting, not dancing
Choreographed in slow motion, but it is dancing utilizing the entire chorus.
I like Emma and Mr. Matt. "Chicago" has its appeal, partly because of its dark themes and adult interpretation. The show had a good week. I'm getting nervous about "Ann" and its lasting power. Sigh. "Hands On A Hard Body" is sure having a rough time of it. Has anyone seen it? Is it good or...not so much? from RC in Austin, Texas
Mister Matt, thank you for your input. Here's the thing, I haven't seen the show in NYC (which I made clear). My post is based on the tour I saw. The tour seemed modeled after the City Center Encores presentation. The set was largely a multi-leveled band stand that could be used for for court room scenes as well. The production I saw skimped on the dances. I put as much info as I could remember. I was very disappointed by the production when I saw it some 8-ish years ago. I remember walking out and thinking, "God, I hope it's not like this on Broadway."
Having seen "Chicago" both on tour and on Broadway, they are basically the same, for the most part. The thing about "Chicago" is that the choreography (and there is a great deal of it...despite what some critics might say)is not completely frozen. Cast members are allowed to present their own interpretations from time to time. Each "Roxie" or "Velma" can add their own special touches..subtle at times, but they are there. Granted some celebrity "Roxies" perform at a basic level...and not the full-on choreography as the Broadway/tour veterans. There IS dancing...subtle and full-on. The hallmark of the Fosse style is simplicity in movements on many occasions. But to me and to the many "Chicago" fans, the dancing is magical. Someone mentioned that many take long running shows like "Chicago" for granted. I took the show for granted, not even considering seeing it the first few years I visited NYC. Now, having seen it for the first time in 2011, I can't get enough of it. I could kick myself for not having seen it early on. So, if I'm effusive of my praise of "Chicago", it is because I've learned to appreciate what it has to offer. from RC in Austin, Texas
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Posted: 3/18/13 at 12:12pm