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Post by QuincyMD on Sept 14, 2004 13:15:07 GMT
Just bought tickets to see the touring musical version of Chicago starring Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet, Drugs and Beard fame.
I have every inkling that this is going to suck big time but I'm a sucker for a musical.
It's on at The Kings in Glasgow till a week on Saturday and I'm so excited I'm going to dress up as Mr Cellophane before I go.
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Post by klee on Sept 14, 2004 13:23:18 GMT
Chicago is a fantastic show - when done properly. Can't see Marti Pellow making anything other than a pig's ear of Billy Flynn, though. Mind you, I wasn't keen on Richard Gere in the film either - he played it as sleazy/over-the-top rather than sleazy/smooth.
The original Broadway recording is definitely the best, though Joel Grey (Emcee in Cabaret) is stunning as Mr Cellophane in the Broadway revival recording.
Have to say as well that I was really impressed with Renee Zelleweger as Roxie Hart. I thought she was spot-on in the part, unlike CZJ whose singing I wasn't taken with at all. She always seemed to approach the high/long notes from underneath and then bent them - quite irritating.
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Post by Steven on Sept 15, 2004 10:39:44 GMT
Renee Zellweger was an excellent Roxie, I agree. But I can't even begin to describe how miscast I thought Richard Gere was, and that ruined the film for me.
I've seen the show in London twice, once with Denise Van Outen as Roxie (not bad, but for some reason all of the cast had Long Island accents and appeared to have never been anywhere near Illinois), and once with Frances Ruffelle as Roxie and Gaby Roslin as Mama Morton. That was fabulous.
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TrixieFirecracker
Jane Asher
In the words of David Cassidy, while he was still with the Partridge Family, I Think I Love You
Posts: 178
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Post by TrixieFirecracker on Sept 15, 2004 14:48:57 GMT
I'm going to see it at the Kings on Monday night, I'm really looking forward to it. I was extra pleased when I found out Marti Pellow was going to be in it! Part of me wishes I was seeing in London instead though, I'm curious to see how Jenny Elly does as Roxie.
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Post by klee on Sept 16, 2004 9:05:06 GMT
Jenny Elly's playing Roxie?
Saints preserve us. Fred Ebb's (lyricist) not even in his grave yet (he died this week) and already he's started spinning like a Catherine wheel.
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Post by Sparkle on Sept 16, 2004 13:35:42 GMT
Oh God yes. As from the end of the month.
I weep.
I've seen Chicago three times. Once with the original West End revival cast (Ruthie Henshall and Ute Lemper), once on Alison Moyet's first night as Mama Morton, and once last month to see the Hasselhoff.
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Post by max on Sept 16, 2004 21:18:56 GMT
Jenny Elly's playing Roxie?Saints preserve us. just the very phrase that popped into my head also. Will she be doing "choonky chips" also?
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Post by klee on Sept 17, 2004 15:15:56 GMT
just the very phrase that popped into my head also. Will she be doing "choonky chips" also? I know it's actually Velma's song, not Roxie's, but that made me think of this: - Come on babe, why don't we paint the town, And choonky chips? I'm gonna peel my spuds and get the chip pan down, And choonky chips Start the hob, I know I know a Pizza Hut Where the oven chips they use are Crinkle Cut Yes, there's a daily prize For crispy spiral fries And choong-ky chiiii-iiiiips
Oooooh, you're gonna see that basket drip and shake (And choonky chips) I'll salt and pepper them for flavour's sake (And choonky chips) Shooow them where to park their arses, Heeeeelp to serve them tasty sauces. And yes we must make haste Cause they all want to taste Those chooon-ket chiiiiiipsGod, got a bit carried away there.
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Post by lovebomb on Sept 19, 2004 19:40:45 GMT
I don't know why people are going OTT over Jenny Elly taking a part as if it's such a bad thing. Especially considering some of the others who have appeared in it.
Personally I think she could do rather well. I know people just see her as an ex soap star turned popstress and a bit of a d-lister but she does appear to be quite a strong spirited young girl who when she sets her mind on something really goes for it, plus she's probably twenty times the dancer than most the others who have taken the part. A lot of good things have also been said about her performance in "The Phantom of the Opera"movie too!
Maybe she will be crap but give her a chance and I reckon she might surprise. Not long to find out now, isn't it tomorrow she starts?
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Post by Sparkle on Sept 20, 2004 8:42:27 GMT
I don't know why people are going OTT over Jenny Elly taking a part as if it's such a bad thing. Especially considering some of the others who have appeared in it. Personally I think she could do rather well. I know people just see her as an ex soap star turned popstress and a bit of a d-lister but she does appear to be quite a strong spirited young girl who when she sets her mind on something really goes for it, plus she's probably twenty times the dancer than most the others who have taken the part. A lot of good things have also been said about her performance in "The Phantom of the Opera"movie too! Maybe she will be crap but give her a chance and I reckon she might surprise. Not long to find out now, isn't it tomorrow she starts? Yep, she starts tonight. Not wishing to denigrate your argument, but I don't believe her appearance in Phantom totals much more than about ten minutes, and it's certainly not a major singing role. And though her dancing might be great, I for one would rather have a Roxie who can sing properly.
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Post by lovebomb on Sept 20, 2004 11:35:12 GMT
Not wishing to denigrate your argument, but I don't believe her appearance in Phantom totals much more than about ten minutes, and it's certainly not a major singing role. I know that, I was more on about how the girl is underestimated. Everyone laughed when it was annouced she got a part in that and yet if reports are to be believed she has impressed, leading to her role being extended and interest from other movie projects. But Fosse musicals are just as much about the dance as the singing. The main critisism the film received was the constant flashbacks to reality during the numbers interupted the fantastic choreography. As for her singing, if I'm not mistaken this is her first big role in musical theatre so we don't know what her ability is. Sometimes in musical theatre a strong singing voice isn't important but more how you deliver the character through your performance and Roxie Hart in particular is a part which doesn't necessarily demand the most powerful of singing but more a spunky, give it all you got effort. Believe me I'm not saying she's gonna be great, what I'm trying to say is I can't say she is anymore than you can say she's gonna be crap. I just think it's silly to for people to have decided she's no good before she's even started. Give her a chance.
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Post by Sparkle on Sept 20, 2004 15:04:30 GMT
But Fosse musicals are just as much about the dance as the singing. The main critisism the film received was the constant flashbacks to reality during the numbers interupted the fantastic choreography. As for her singing, if I'm not mistaken this is her first big role in musical theatre so we don't know what her ability is. Sometimes in musical theatre a strong singing voice isn't important but more how you deliver the character through your performance and Roxie Hart in particular is a part which doesn't necessarily demand the most powerful of singing but more a spunky, give it all you got effort. Believe me I'm not saying she's gonna be great, what I'm trying to say is I can't say she is anymore than you can say she's gonna be crap. I just think it's silly to for people to have decided she's no good before she's even started. Give her a chance. OK, point by point. - Fosse's choreography is more about a style than a technique. Ruthie Henshall and Ute Lemper are singers, not dancers, and they remain the best Roxie/Velma combination I've seen. - Totally agree that Roxie's part demands vitality in the voice rather than a spectacular voice, but what I've heard of JE's pop career doesn't lead me to conclude that she will be on the money with this. - I'm no particular detractor or supporter of Jenny Elly. I have been riled by those stupid new posters with the "cooking" references - ie come and see the girl what was on telly with that chef what swears a lot, won't it be a treat? I know that West End shows, particularly ones that have been on a long run, start to get big names in to pull in the punters. However, I hate the implication that Chicago is now merely a celebrity vehicle. To conclude, I hope Jenny Elly does well, as I love the show and she's done nothing to offend me personally. But I won't hold my breath.
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