An Imperfect 'Chicago' in Baltimore

Opening night at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre for the tour of "Chicago" had a crowd of over 1,600. But since this was non-subscription event, this may have been partly responsible for the audience never really getting involved in the production until Michelle DeJean, playing Roxie Hart, takes over.  Or it may be that after viewing the incredible "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" with incredible sets, superb cast, and great humor…they were surprised to see most of the stage taken up by the orchestra with very little room for anyone else, no sets, and costumes comprising mostly of leotards and tights.

I got the impression the audience was waiting for Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, and Richard Gere to appear from the 2002 film. The supposed sexy introduction by a member of the ensemble (who all deserve much praise for their incredible stamina and expertise with the Ann Reinking choreography in the style of Bob Fosse) explaining what will be seen, got no response. The elevated appearance by Terra C. MacLeod (Velma Kelly) didn't cause a whimper. But, when DeJean started to take the evening over, finally the audience was impressed and got interested in what was going on.

There may also have been some disappointment when it was announced prior to the show the role of lawyer Billy Flynn, played by Tom Wopat last week in Philadelphia, was to be played by well-known film actor Christopher MacDonald. Well, according to Wopat's web page, he's left the tour for the moment appearing in New York City this week-end at the Metropolitan Room, then heads to Palm Beach and returns to the tour on January 16 in St. Paul, MN. MacDonald's background includes the same role on Broadway but does not mention any other musical theater experience. So it was not surprising that his voice cracked in "All I Care About is Love". He also did no dancing.  Maybe Wopat would have made a big difference.

Another disappointment was the Tony-winner Melba Moore. The sixty-one year old was walking with a cane due to recent hip surgery. (What is this with canes? In the current Center Stage production of "Boys from Syracuse", Chris Wells, who plays the sorcerer, uses a cane due to any injury he sustained just before the dress rehearsal.) While her voice still is quite strong, she clearly stumbled and mumbled a few of her lines in her role as Mama Morton.

While the current Broadway cast includes Bebe Neuwirth and Huey Lewis, I still suggest you head to the Hipp for two reasons.

Ron Orbach's performance as forlorn husband Amos I found more impressive than that of Joel Grey who performed the role in the Encores performance in 1996 along with Neuwirth and Ann Reinking at City Center in New York. His naiveté  was dead-on in "Mr. Cellophane". He had the audience wrapped around his finger and he milked it!

The only other similar reaction was a result of the incredible performance of  DeJean who has played the role of Roxie Hart on Broadway for four years and just steals the show with her amazing performance. Her comedic timing reminded me of Bette Midler…but in a dancer's body. And can she dance. And can she contort her body like something you've never seen.

I thought it was a nice touch that Musical Director Vincent Fanuele announced the name of each member of the cast for their bows. But since the only named members of the orchestra in the Playbill were the musicians who travel with the show, it would have been nice to have named the talented local musicians who made up the bulk of the orchestra who get no mention. Well, here they are: Reeds-Walt Borys, Ed Walters and Lee Lachman. Trumpets- John Blount and Fred Irby. Trombones -Mark Mauldin and Paul Schultze. Tuba-Ed Goldstein, Banjo-Phil Mathieu, and String Bass-Jeff Cooper. They were terrific.

So, do not miss DeJean and Orbach. See "Chicago". You'll be glad you did.

"Chicago" continues until Sunday, January 8, at the Hippodrome. 410-547-SEAT.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com