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Chicago Reviews
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CHRISTY GETS AN "A" "W" "F" "U" "." Review by: JennyGirl, Nov 6, 2012 |
| Chicago is one of my favorite Broadway musicals. Casting Christy Brinkley, who cannot dance, sing, act or even present herself well on stage was an outrage. There are so many competent, wonderful actors who would have outdone her (I may have even performed better and I can't sing to save my life). I'm not sure why in this world anyone would have cast her, but I suspect it was to promote ticket sales, as she is featured on the playbill. ... read more Please, please casting director...take her OUT and save your production. John O'Hurley sizzled as Billy Flynn and the Momma character had a fantastic voice. Other than that, the balance of the cast was lackluster and Christie's horrible showing put a dark shadow on the entire production. I could go on and on, but you get the jist. DO NOT waste your money on this show...grab a ticket and see it in NYC to catch some REAL talent! |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
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| 2 |
Wonderful Show! Review by: Chicago Fan, Oct 28, 2012 |
If you're going to this show to see the movie - don't bother. BUT if you want to see a GREAT rendition of the story superbly sung, wonderfully acted with a cast that's having an absolute BLAST performing for you - don't miss it.
I thought it was funny, the entire cast was outstanding and having the orchestra on stage and the performers playing multiple characters pure genius (keep your eye on the jury during Roxie's "trial"). It all made for ... read more a fast-paced show which was wonderfully delivered.
I've directed over fifty shows, about fifteen of them musicals, and I thought the performance was well worth the money. A do NOT miss! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Romantic Date
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| 3 |
An Awful Rendition of a Classic Musical Review by: Lily, May 17, 2012 |
| I was extremely disappointed with the entire show. Ensemble singers were sloppy and off-pitch. Christie Brinkley was just awful. She never should have been cast. She could not act, sing, or dance. Velma's acting was atrocious as well. The Cell Block Tango was a bore without any tango. The dancers were obviously amazing, but never showcased. Choreography was simplified and boring. The two good numbers were Razzle Dazzle and the courtroom scene.... read more. Other than those, I wish I'd stayed at home. I came for free and still regretted seeing the show. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 4 |
Good Show, except for Christie Brinkley.. Review by: ttompkins, Apr 23, 2012 |
I went with my girlfriends yesterday (4/22/12). Having never seen a Broadway show, I didnt know what to expect. I liked the storyline, wished there was a costume change and more props than just a chair, and wished that I had seen it with someone other than Christie Brinkley as the lead! I didnt like her speaking voice or her singing voice, she sounded to "breathy". During Intermisson, everyone in the area that I was ... read more in was talking about how poorly she was doing. She ends her run at the end of this week, and I can bet you that the cast is happy about that, you could see where they were having to pick up her slack, because they were excellent!
I purchased my ticket as part of a bus trip, so for under $100, I got a ticket to the show, round trip transporation and had a nice lunch in Times Square..so I got my money's worth, but I was dissapointed that Christie wasnt better! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 5 |
One of a Kind. Review by: SophzMichelle, Apr 18, 2012 |
Chicago: The Musical is a production in which Bertolt Brecht and Bob Fosse go hand in hand.
There is little set and few costume changes, but every little detail counts. Brecht believed a chair is just a chair, it's how you use it that changes it. The orchestra are placed on-stage in a tiered structure so that the audience can see the musical talent as well as the acting performances. The performers use the space of the orchestra ... read more well and interact with them in a very Brechtian way, reminding the audience that this is a show.
The Choreography by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse is flawless and when performed correctly - mesmerising. With the 'Hot Honey Rag' keeping the original Fosse choreography, giving fans a kick right at the end of the show. One goes to see this show for the dance, music and performances, for certain.
The songs are catchy, exciting and varied, often leaving an audience member singing along and gasping at the vocals of somne performers.
The costuming is typically simplistic and Brechtian. All in blacks, the chorus/ensemble dancers are sassy, sexy and often stunningly gorgeous. With as little as 2 costume changes for characters Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, the significance of the costumes is the real eye catcher, like the notorious "silver shoes with rhinestone buckles".
The most tricky part to criticise of this production is, indeed, the performances. Often, the performers are greatly talented and will leave one speechless. The actress of Velma Kelly must be a professional dancer in order to fit the role, so will often have a certain amount of talent to work with, and actresses like Amra-Faye Wright often make the character amusing, empathetic and an audience member can tell that Wright is enjoying herself onstage, so Velma then has a certain amount of sparkle.
The character of Roxie Hart is the most complex in the whole play, however the performer of this role will have an easier time portraying her, due to her lacking in dances and less charged, active and even vocal numbers. Roxie is more often portrayed by the 'guest star' while Velma is played by the professional dancer. The performers in the role can be very hit and miss however. I saw Sarah Soetaert play the role excellently in the West End, and she truly deserves a move to Broadway, since she captured the essence of Roxie perfectly, and mananaged to make the character more likeable. Model Christie Brinkley (until April 27) however, was a shambles. Her vocals raspy and croaky, her performance very one dimensional and singing lazy, leaving the big songs that Roxie has, merely to the imagination and she sang so quietly, the orchestra overshadowed her.
The characters of Billy Flynn and Amos Hart are complete contrasted opposites of each other and actors often put their own stamp on the characters, for example Raymond Bokhour (currently on Broadway), who puts a camp edge onto the character of Amos. Equally currently Mama Morton Actress, Carol Woods' vocals are spine tingling and put an audience to silence until she is finished singing when the whooping and cheering starts; an effect which is a true achievement.
Special mention must go to R.Lowe who is experiencing a Broadway Debut and provides spectacular vocals and a shocking performance for a first timer, the very best Mary Sunshine I have ever seen.
To conclude, avid theatre goers must see this fantastic show, put together wonderfully by the late, great Bob Fosse and experience a little 'Razzle Dazzle'. Suitable for absolutely anyone (with only few occaisions of cursing and innuendos that younger audiences wouldn't understand) The songs alone by John Kander and Fred Ebb are enough to give anyone reason to enjoy this show! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 6 |
Little Effort in a Dumpy Theater Review by: vf024a, Mar 10, 2012 |
| I did not like the show...for the same reasons other people wrote...not a single costume change, the orchestra took up 3/4 of the stage...no stage scenery changes either. I get it's supposed to be a "dark" theme but black on black got old in about a minute. The worst part was, and I'm just being honest not hurtful, was the casting of Sharon Moore. She was so freaky to look at and if there's such a thing as an OVER PERFORMER, it was her. ...... read more..no one could focus on the rest of the performers because she was just so in your face...and scary looking. The Ambassador Theater was a dump and very small. And the bathrooms were the worst - dirty, too few, and falling apart. I felt like trailer trash in that environment...which really pissed me/us off because we paid $160 per ticket. I would not recommend this musical. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 7 |
It was great and all that jazz! :) Review by: BroadwayBabe97, Jan 14, 2012 |
| Just saw it today, it was wonderful! Very entertaining and great music. Great ensemble and fantastic leads as well :) |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults, Anyone
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| 8 |
Saw it 10 times Review by: gabbym, Dec 26, 2011 |
| THE BEST, bar none Broadway musical currently running. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 9 |
THE BEST SHOW EVER....AND ALWAYS WILL BE!!!! Review by: Paule Joe, Dec 24, 2011 |
| I dont believe in the other reviewers bad remarks!! The charm of this show is the lack of sets and costumes. I was sinning the songs as I left the theater, this is rare for me as I am an avid theater goer. SEE THIS SHOW!!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults
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| 10 |
Total Let Down from a Very Experienced Theatre Goer's Perspective Review by: Usually A Very Positive Person, Dec 12, 2011 |
| If you've seen and enjoyed headline broadway shows before and have high expectations for Chicago DO NOT SEE this production. There were zero set changes because the orchestra was center stage and covered 3/4 of the stage area. The costumes were bare bones and they did VERY little to change between acts. We paid WAY too much money to be center orchestra row G when we should have settled for upper balcony on this one. This is basically ... read more JUST a musical performance of one of the leading shows that I know should have been spectacular...based on conversations with previous attendees. What I saw is oddly unlike what others saw and overall a HUGE disappointment! Spend your money on any other broadway show and wait for this production to travel to a nearby city as I know you'd get more of a show from a road tour. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 11 |
It was OK Review by: Chubby Theater Goer, Oct 21, 2011 |
I like jazz so kinda enjoyed this one. It's a more surreal approach as there is no set design or changes. A bit of a rip-off if you ask me. No different than seeing a rehearsal in rented space.
However, if you have a good imagination, you'd say it's quite stylized and reimagined.
Kara looks like a young Madonna from far away. Quite pretty. Many of the female dancers are quite beautiful as well. The dancing could have been ... read more better especially the showstopper but it is passable. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 12 |
Not one of the better Chicago productions Review by: pariscoh, Sep 28, 2011 |
| 4 of us girls went to see Chicago in NYC Sept 2011. Two of us had seen a prior production, two had not. Two newbies loved it, but other two did not. As charming as DioGuardi is, she cannot dance and has limited singing ability. The numbers with the entire company were great to watch, but sadly, there were very few of those. Its the solos and/or duets with DiGuardi and Wright that dragged on a bit. I cannot imagine why the director does not ... read more incorporate and demand better dancing in this production. Perhaps my disappointment is because I had previously seen it in Los Angeles in a production that was riveting from start to finish. This production did not move me. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
Tourists, Anyone
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| 13 |
Kara DioGuardi steals the show! Review by: RoxieHart, Sep 15, 2011 |
| Loved this show! Kara DioGuardi is fabulous and her voice is absolutely amazing! She steals the show! Tony Yazbeck is also great, as is the rest of the cast. The singing and dancing is wonderful. Best show I've seen on broadway in a long time! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 14 |
Good. Not great. Review by: Krzysztof, Sep 13, 2011 |
| After watching "Chicago" movie many times, I expected the original Broadway show to be brilliant. It is very good. Orchestra and music are first class. What Broadway "Chicago" doesn't have are top performers and good staging. I didn't like Amra-Faye Wright playing Velma Kelly (she's too old for this role and she seemed to lack the feeling) and Tony Yazbeck as Billy Flynn (just average, he didn't handle his role). Luckily, Kara DioGuardi does ... read more amazing job playing Roxie Hart. Stage is just boring and too small. Overall it was very positive experience, but could be much better. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
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| 15 |
Disappointing, skip it. Review by: scrappygurl, Aug 5, 2011 |
| We saw it last night and couldn't have been more disappointed. I was disgusted to feel like I was at an Off Broadway play with high budget ticket p rices. It was very frustrating, boring, and disappointing, the lead that played Roxie, was much toooo old to play this part, and her singing was lackl;uster, I understand she had won a Ovation award in LA but here, she lacked any feeling for the role, and seemed rehearsed rather than acted. ... read more I was very disappointed actually at the age of the cast, with a few minor exceptions everyone was over the age of 45+ which lacked the youth and vitatlity that the chorus had previously had, maybe I don't know theater, but I do know that this was sub par to many of the shows I had seen. Velma's role was superb which only underscored the lackluster singing, dancing and acting by Roxie Hart's actor. Disappointing to see the cast engaging in conversation during the show while in the sidelines. Disappointing. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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