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thehefnerI just came back from seeing a production of CHICAGO, which is all well and good, except that it was produced by a community theater group. American Music Stage was the group I was with before I joined the Rudes for Henry, and each show they've been getting better and better, easing out the deadwood, looking and sounding more and more like a professional theater. That they got the rights for Chicago was sheer dumb luck; they were between touring companies, and one week later they wouldn't have gotten it.
Of course, some of the company's distinctive flaws were still there. The microphone system is horrid as usual, as are the wobbly spotlights. Roxie was horridly miscast, a middle-aged, lumpy woman who had neither the singing nor acting talent required for the role. I really don't know how the hell she was cast, except maybe she was a reliable friend of the troupe and didn't suck.
It really makes me wish that I'd known about the auditions months ago, since I'd have loved to had seen![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dicechan in that role. I dare say she'd have gotten it too, even though I know she really wants Velma (more on her later), and she's almost as big a fan of this show as I am. Ah well. Hell, had I have known, I'd have fought tooth and nail to get Mr. Cellophane. Sigh, another chance at a "must play before I die" role gone. Phooh.
Speaking of which, several other key characters just didn't quite click; Amos had the acting and character down to a T but his singing was weak and Mama Morton was... well, she just wasn't MOMMA, you know?
Billy Flynn was the most different interpretation of Billy I've ever seen. Played by an obviously gay man (with awesome legs, I might add), they upped his gay-ness just enough to give the character an interesting new take; with this Billy, he really IS only in it for the money. He was damn good. And Mary Sunshine... well, I don't want to say too much, but for those who know Mary Sunshine, know that Mary Sunshine was PERFECT. Awww yeah.
But Velma... OH MY GOD. This actress, her name escapes me... she was, I swear to God, the BEST FUCKING VELMA I'VE EVER SEEN (not counting Catherine Zeta-Jones, I mean stage Velma, but this girl was up there with Cath). Her every little gesture, her eyes, and those lips! My god, those lips! Every single curl, pout, smirk, she absolutely NAILED the frickin' role. I have no idea what she's doing with this theater, this girl belongs on Broadway, right fucking now. I'm almost disgusted she's in community theater.
All in all, it was a damn good show, flaws and all. There's one more performance Sunday afternoon, I think. If you haven't seen the show, I'd say go for it. I still kinda prefer the show script to the movie's anyway, it's more fun.
Of course, some of the company's distinctive flaws were still there. The microphone system is horrid as usual, as are the wobbly spotlights. Roxie was horridly miscast, a middle-aged, lumpy woman who had neither the singing nor acting talent required for the role. I really don't know how the hell she was cast, except maybe she was a reliable friend of the troupe and didn't suck.
It really makes me wish that I'd known about the auditions months ago, since I'd have loved to had seen
dicechan in that role. I dare say she'd have gotten it too, even though I know she really wants Velma (more on her later), and she's almost as big a fan of this show as I am. Ah well. Hell, had I have known, I'd have fought tooth and nail to get Mr. Cellophane. Sigh, another chance at a "must play before I die" role gone. Phooh. Speaking of which, several other key characters just didn't quite click; Amos had the acting and character down to a T but his singing was weak and Mama Morton was... well, she just wasn't MOMMA, you know?
Billy Flynn was the most different interpretation of Billy I've ever seen. Played by an obviously gay man (with awesome legs, I might add), they upped his gay-ness just enough to give the character an interesting new take; with this Billy, he really IS only in it for the money. He was damn good. And Mary Sunshine... well, I don't want to say too much, but for those who know Mary Sunshine, know that Mary Sunshine was PERFECT. Awww yeah.
But Velma... OH MY GOD. This actress, her name escapes me... she was, I swear to God, the BEST FUCKING VELMA I'VE EVER SEEN (not counting Catherine Zeta-Jones, I mean stage Velma, but this girl was up there with Cath). Her every little gesture, her eyes, and those lips! My god, those lips! Every single curl, pout, smirk, she absolutely NAILED the frickin' role. I have no idea what she's doing with this theater, this girl belongs on Broadway, right fucking now. I'm almost disgusted she's in community theater.
All in all, it was a damn good show, flaws and all. There's one more performance Sunday afternoon, I think. If you haven't seen the show, I'd say go for it. I still kinda prefer the show script to the movie's anyway, it's more fun.
