Is This "Chicago" News For Real?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:04pm

Amra Fay Wright as Velma (thru 6/12/14)

Paige Davis as Roxie (thru 8/2
Bianca Marroquin as Roxie (begins 9/2)
Alexander Gemignani as Bill Flynn (thru 8/29)
Ryan Silverman as Billy Flynn (8/30 - 10/27)
Carol Woods as Mama Morton (thru 8/2
Roz Ryan as Mama Morton (9/1 - 10/27)
Paul C Vogt as Amos (thru 10/27)
R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine (thru 8/25)

Amra Fay Wright just recently completed what amounted to basically a one year run, with a few scattered absences. Now, according to Telecharge, she has been granted an new extended run until June 12, 2014!? I understand that she is obviously talented, but come on. There are other Velmas out there. I think it's good for "Chicago's" continued success if other ladies get a chance in the role. This is very curious indeed.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:11pm

Absolutely dreadful. She must be VERY cheap. The Weisslers love cheap.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:23pm

I'd stay away from the show just because of her. Is there nothing else for her to do?? Why would they throw in a [nearly] one year contract for her??

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:29pm

Praying this is a typo. Lighting a candle and everything.

I mean seriously, there were like 87 Velmas in the London production, some who were actually really good. Surely they can get them over here for scale.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:42pm

I like her.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:42pm

There's the fabulous Terra C MacLeod (soon to undergo an extensive run in the newest national tour) and Leigh Zimmerman (who's available and just finished her role in "A Chorus Line). Also, there's the amazing Anna Jane Casey. Do a YouTube search. She's INcredible in "Tap Your Troubles Away". I love "Chicago" in a major way, obviously. It's high time that other potential Velmas be given the opportunity to shine. This can't happen when one person monopolizes the role. Even Bianca Marroquin has the potential to take on the role of Velma and has a fantastic voice.






Anna Jane Casey

Updated On: 8/26/13 at 10:42 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:43pm

do they really want no one new in this show. it always pains me to constantly see the same old cast members recycled in this show.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:48pm

Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed Amra-Faye just fine. But I've seen her too many times, on both sides of the Pond, and there's nothing new or fresh about her performance.

If they want to recycle someone local in, how about Deidre Goodwin? She was one of my favorite Velmas, and deserves so much praise for actually tuning her performance to her Roxie (i.e. Melanie Griffith).

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:55pm

I don't mind the ensemble cast who have been with the show for quite a while. I respect their efforts and the years in their specific roles. It's the leading roles: Roxie, Velma, Billy and Amos which grab attention and appeal. For example, the show has a group of amazing Billys who have had a chance to play the role (Tony Yazbek comes to mind). Now, the gorgeous Ryan Silverman is tackling that role. He's getting a limited run, which will help him for future renewals with the role. I wish the show would put the same effort in finding Velmas (other than AFW)as they do in looking for experienced or new Billy Flynns. I think that the role of Velma is the most difficult in the show. So, it makes all the more sense to cultivate ladies who can do justice to the role.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 8:51am

I saw Amra with the tour last year in Boston with Christie Brinkley so obviously Amra stole the show. But obviously she's been doing this show to long. It would be very nice to see someone new in the role. But even if Amra wasn't with Christie, Amra still would've been fantastic.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 8:57am

Is there nothing else for her to do??

Remember that performing is a job. This is how she makes her money--she's probably thrilled to have guaranteed employment for a year.

[WicaS]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 9:06am

Is Bebe still able to dance? Cause if she is, why not cast HER again? She's only two years older than Amra. I think she could stll pull it off.

Updated On: 8/27/13 at 09:06 AM

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 9:12am

I bet this is thrilled. And I bet somehow she still likes doing this. Good for her for that but for the fans of Chicago I would like to see someone new.

[Mark-o]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 9:13am

Another vote for Leigh Zimmerman!

[david_fick]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 10:04am

Like PalJoey, I also like Amra-Faye Wright. The first time I saw her in CHICAGO, she walked away with the show. The second time I saw the show, the cast was more evenly matched but Wright still stood out.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 1:00pm

I found Leigh Zimmerman, Terra Macleod, and even Brenda Braxton all superior to Amra.
But the most refreshing Velma that I've ever seen was Luba Mason. She played it for a few months. Not much a dancer, but she looked and sounded stunning. Her All That Jazz is on YouTube.

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 1:42pm

I loved Luba. Yes not much of a dancer but it worked. Her and Brooke Shields were a great combo.

From what I believe after Bebe's hip replacement she can't dance Velma anymore that's why she came back as Roxie.

I have no problems with the long runs as long as they give great performances. I loved Brenda Braxton when she started on the 3rd National Tour, loved her when she started on Broadway - but then after a few years it was a tired weak boring performance.

I'd love for a return of Caroline O'Conner.

Amra is the main reason I stay away from my favorite show.

[shrekster224]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 5:14pm

Oy god!! I saw the show and she was fine but I know it was on a good day, I've seen some rough videos. Why not bring Charlotte d'Amboise back but as Velma when she leaves Pippin???

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 5:21pm

Her and Brooke Shields were a great combo.

They really were. That combo really sticks out in my memory.

Charlotte as Velma would be a nice change for her and the show. She has a thin but somewhat sultry voice, she could probably handle the vocals. But she is still capable of landing non-replacement roles, so returning to Chicago probably isn't the most appealing job for her.

Updated On: 8/27/13 at 05:21 PM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 5:33pm

Shrekster, that is an intriguing idea. But Charlotte has only played "Roxie" in various Chicago stints. She has mentioned that the producers offered her the role of Velma, but Charlotte declined.

[OperaBwayLover]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 5:37pm

With so many aspiring dancers/singers out there, and seeing that Chicago does not always need a 'name' to sell tickets, is it really all that hard to cast Velma?

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 5:49pm

I was really hoping that they'd bring Samantha Barks in. I want to revisit the show, but I did not particularly enjoy Amra as Velma.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 9:51pm

And I was hoping for Kitty Mews to come back

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 10:01pm

I actually think Velma is a difficult role to cast. The character itself is more difficult to pull than it looks, and of course it's the ultimate triple-threat role. That's why I do have a soft spot for those that have done it right, because a lot do it wrong.