|
||
|
Disclaimer:
The reviewers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheatreLouisville.org. |
Articles CHICAGO - Meet the Cast
On March 11, 1924, The Chicago Tribune featured a story written by Maurine Dallas Watkins about Belva Gaertner, a married cabaret singer accused of killing her husband. As a cub reporter, Ms. Watkins was amused by Gaertner's outspoken candor and colorful observations: "Gin and guns – either one is bad enough, but together they get you in a heck of a mess" and "No sweetheart in the world is worth killing – especially when you've had a flock of them – and the world knows it." Readers responded to the wry humor in Watkins' writing and her next article, about another married woman who killed her lover, was featured on The Tribune's front page, on April 3, 1924. This time the headline read "Woman Plays Jazz Air as Victim Dies." The story told of Beaulah Annan, a young woman who killed her boyfriend, then called her husband to tell him, as a popular fox-trot record named "Hula Lou" played in the background. Watkins kept readers amused with accounts of Beaulah ("the prettiest murderess") hiring a prominent defense attorney, her public penitence and then her surprising announcement on May 9, 1924 that she was pregnant. Below the headline proclaiming "Beaulah Annan Awaits Stork, Murder Trial," Watkins asked her readers to consider "What counts with a jury when a woman is on trial for murder? Youth? Beauty? And if to these she adds approaching motherhood...?" The Tribune made Annan a celebrity and the jury declared her not guilty. Watkins went on in 1926 to write her play entitled CHICAGO, a Broadway comedy about lady-killers turned celebrities. Two decades later, William Wellman turned this story into one of the funniest satires of Hollywood's Golden Age. The 1942 film starred Ginger Rogers as the Jazz Age chorus girl "Roxie Hart" and Phil Silvers as the lawyer. Its campy style served as the inspiration for Bob Fosse's collaboration with John Kander and Fred Ebb on CHICAGO The Musical. CHICAGO opened on Broadway in 1975 with Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera as the two jailbirds dueling for attention. Even with two stars of their caliber and the elegant choreography of Bob Fosse, the show was overshadowed by its more sentimental competitor, A Chorus Line, and closed after a respectable two-year run. CHICAGO opened on Broadway on November 14, 1996 and won 6 Tony Awards. The accolades continued around the world collecting Olivier Awards, Helpman Awards and a Grammy Award for best cast recording. Winner of the 2003 Academy Award for Best Picture.
Q & A with Bianca Marroquín (Roxie Hart) 1: When was the first time for you to see Chicago The Musical? Please let us know what you thought of the show, if this show brought you any big impact. I first saw Chicago back in 1998. I remember sitting at the Shubert Theatre blown away by this genius show and only hoped that some producer in Mexico would buy the rights to the show so I would maybe get a chance to be in the ensemble of the Mexican producer. Never did I imagine that three years later not only would I be starring as Roxie Hart in the Mexican production but also crossing over to Broadway...to that very stage in NY...making my Broadway debut in 1998 becoming the first Mexican woman ever to be invited to crossover from Mexico to Broadway with a lead role. 2: In your opinion, what is the true (honest) feeling of your character? What is the most attractive point when you perform in your role? What I love about Roxie Hart is that it is a really round and complete character. It's like playing the Olympics of the emotions in two hours and a half. The arc of her character is very exciting, interesting and complex. She starts off scared and vulnerable when she first comes to jail and then turns into a confident monster right before your eyes, only to see her fall defeated in the end and pick herself up. I like the challenge of getting the audience on her side even though they saw her murder a man in the first five minutes of the show. I love that it is a triple threat role. I love to dance, sing, act and I love comedy!!! Roxie is a thrilling adventure every single night. 3: When and what was the first time for you to see Bob Fosse's work? When I was a little girl I saw the movie All that Jazz and was mesmerized. Then, years later when Chicago came to Mexico City, our production offered a six day workshop to teach us the technique before the auditions commenced. 4: What kind of person/artist do you think Bob Fosse was? Please describe how his life or work fascinates you. Bob Fosse changed history! His vision of life and dance was so different, challenging and electrifying it was embraced by the whole world. He left an eternal mark in his movies and stage productions. I'm grateful and fortunate to have the opportunity to attempt my best and bring a little bit of life to one of his legacies. 5: Please describe the most attractive point of Kander/Ebb works for you as a singer. I think Kander and Ebb's works are so brilliantly conceived. There is a musical review of theirs called And the World Goes Round where you can certainly enjoy and appreciated the versatile colors, moods and striking musical notes in their many songs. So that fact that in Chicago Fosse and Kander/Ebb come together is incredible. 6: What is your most favorite number or scene in Chicago? It doesn't need to be your number or not. Also, please let us know why you love/ chose it. My favorite number in the show I have to say is "Roxie". I personally love to tell stories so it is very exciting to me to tear down the 4th wall and talk to audience every single night. It is a delightful challenge for me to keep it fresh and honest when as Roxie try to reach the audience and try to make Roxie as human as possible so they can relate to her. And when the boys comes in...oh the fun begins!! I love the song and the drum arrangements because it is so delicious to dance to all those exciting crashes only to further accent her ambition! 7: Where is your home town? If you have performed Chicago at your hometown, how was it for you? (please explain if there's any special memory). I first starred as Roxie in Mexico City, my home country in Spanish of course. It was my first leading role and I remember being scared and excited at the same time. Roxie and I were living parallel lives. Life imitating Art! When Roxie pulls out her newspaper and tell the audience "you wanna know something? I always wanted my name in the papers!" well...it was happening to me in real life. For the first time I wasn't in the background of a musical show....I was finally the STAR!!!
Q&A with Terra C. MacLeod (Velma Kelly) 1: When was the 1st time for you to see Chicago The Musical? What did you think of the show and did it have any impact on you? The first time I saw Chicago was December 1999. I still have the ticket stub and Playbill. I even took a picture outside of the theatre under the Marquis. I still have that picture. It was a show that I saw and wanted to be a part of. A few years later I ended up working in Chicago in the New York Company with people I had seen in 1999. It was a full circle moment. I always loved Bob Fosse's work so of course it had a huge impact on me because there on the stage I was able to get a taste of his legacy. The show was simple and the story was told with dancing, acting and an amazing score. I loved that aspect. 2: In your opinion, what is the true (honest) feeling of your character? What is the most attractive point when you perform in your role? I love playing Velma. I always approach a character from a positive angle. Even a character that has committed a crime. On a personal lever I don't agree with the choice she made. But I have to find the good in her because I have to tell her story and let the audience in. Velma has a fiery strength. She also has heart. She was a star in an act with her sister which means she was a team player. She was willing to share the stage. She may have a tough exterior, but it's because she is protecting herself and knows that she has to stay strong and focused or she won't get out of her situation. Her most attractive point? Well she has determination and stamina and she doesn't give up. Velma is always trying things at a new angle. She is a thinker. When you play a role that has that much will and heart the possibilities are endless. I am constantly exploring her character. I learn new things about her all the time. 3: When and where was the first time for you to see Bob Fosse's work? I will never forget this. When VCR's came out my parents rented a few movies and we spent a whole week end watching them at our country house. I saw the movie All that Jazz and I remember thinking at a young and influential age how different, stylized and sexy it all was. I loved Anne Reinking in that movie and I always wanted to be the little girl who she dances with. I remember how beautiful Jessica Lang was in that movie and what I loved was it took me to another world. I have to watch that movie again I haven't seen it in years. 4: What kind of person/artist do you think Bob Fosse was? Please describe why his life or work fascinates you. It's such an honor to work on a piece created by Bob. I wish I had met him. I have read his books, and I am so intrigued by his talent and his mind. The man was a genius and he was so specific with what he wanted from his dancers. That precision and discipline is what drives me to continuously honor his work and dancing style. What is so fascinating is that his work is never done. I am always trying to improve my show, always trying to simplify and tell a story with the movement. It's a challenge that I embrace every time I step foot on that stage. One of the best parts of my job is that I work with people who knew Bob. They share his knowledge and his craft and his work is getting passed on to a new group of performers. I feel very lucky to be in that group. There is a great book on Bob's life called All His Jazz. I loved it and actually want to reread it. Highly recommend it to anyone wanting to know more about his life and work. 5: Please describe the most attractive point of Kander/Ebb works for you as a singer. In my opinion Kander and Ebb have written songs and scores for some of the best musicals in our time. I am a fan of their work. They are wonderful story tellers. They wrote these amazing songs for women like Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera. And these women delivered them with such passion and commitment that as a singer I want to be doing the same thing. You honor the lyrics and the inflections in the music. In Chicago I love their use of the brass instruments and I still get chills hearing the trumpets in the opening number when Velma rises from the elevator. They wrote hits from songs like "All that Jazz" to "New York, New York" to "Cabaret" and that is just to name a few. I know I am part of a wonderful creative team. I feel very fortunate to be up there singing their songs. 6: What is your favorite number or scene in Chicago? It doesn't need to be your number. Also, please let us know why you love/ chose it. This is a tough question because it varies. I love the opening number. From the moment I saw it on Broadway. It's a grand entrance with a fabulous song introducing the audience to the world of Chicago. "All that jazz" is such a classic song and people from all over the world recognize it, so it's exciting to sing it every night. I also love the closing number when Velma and Roxie come together for "Nowadays" and "Hot Honey Rag". The song "Nowadays" is probably one of my all time favorites. The lyrics "in 50 years or so it's gonna change ya know, but oh its heaven nowadays" are classic and timeless. Sending a message to be in the moment, be in the now, and be in the present. Things will change, things will happen, life goes on. But it's Heaven Nowadays. 7: Where is your home town? If you have performed Chicago at your hometown, how was it for you? (Please explain if there's any special memory). I am from Montreal, Canada. YES!! I am happy to say that I have performed Chicago in Montreal. In the summer of 2003 I was part of the French company and we opened in Montreal that summer. We then moved on to Paris in January 2004. It was my big break and it was a very exciting time for me and my family. A dream comes true. This summer June 2009 the tour came through Montreal and this time it was in English and people who missed it in 2003 got to see it this time around. My little niece who is 3 years old watched it, and it is probably one of my most memorable moments on stage ever. Knowing she was there watching. She now sings "All that Jazz" and even does some of the choreography. It's the cutest thing. When you have family and friends supporting you it makes the journey on being on the road, traveling the world all the more worthwhile.
Q&A with Carol Woods (Matron Mama Morton) 1: When was the first time for you to see Chicago The Musical? Please let us know what you thought of the show, if this show brought you any big impact. I saw Chicago at City Center in 1995 or 1996. It was amazing. The music, the performers and the book was breath taking. 2: In your opinion, what is the true (honest) feeling of your character? What is the most attractive point when you perform in your role? My character, Matron Mama Morton, is a fun loving, no nonsense, business woman. Some times people take kindness for weakness, but don't be confused, Mama Morton is a key player in the jail house. Without her, no one gets out! 3: When and what was the first time for you to see Bob Fosse's work? In 1986 I did a Broadway show called Grind, directed by Hal Prince. Bob Fosse was summoned to re-choreograph a routine for the show. Obba Babatunde' succeeded Ben Vereen. He brought the house down every night doing Fosse's dance. 4: What kind of person/artist do you think Bob Fosse was? Please describe how his life or work fascinates you. I met Fosse late in his life and early in my career. I can only say the man was a genius of all time. His work is and will continue to be revered. 5: Please describe the most attractive point of Kander/Ebb works for you as a singer. What thrills and fascinates me about Kander and Ebb's work is, these gentlemen were not only song writers and musicians, they were the actor, the audience, the critic and the dancers. They took everyone into consideration when the composed. They are Liza's most favorite and if Liza loves them, that's good enough for me. 6: What is your most favorite number or scene in Chicago? It doesn't need to be your number or not. Also, please let us know why you love/ chose it. It's hard for me to pick a favorite part of the show, but, I must say, I love doing the song "Class" with Velma. I also love "Razzle Dazzle" and "Roxie". The lyrics in "Class" are so funny to me. 7: Where is your home town? If you have performed Chicago at your hometown, how was it for you? (please explain if there's any special memory). My home is New York City. I have done the show on Broadway many times and there's no place like the big white way. It is the center of entertainment where all flock to be thrilled by some of the greatest performers in the US. My special memory was the 10th anniversary. Barry and Fran Weissler threw the most memorable party of my career. Needless to say it was star-studded. Everyone checked in without ego and we all had a ball. Well, almost everyone! Just kidding!
Q&A with Kevin Richardson (Billy Flynn) 1: When was the 1st time for you to see Chicago The Musical? Please let us know what you thought of the show, if this show brought you any big impact. I saw Chicago for the first time in 2003 on Broadway, right after I auditioned and booked the job. I loved it. I became even more excited about making my Broadway debut. 2: In your opinion, what is the true (honest) feeling of your character? What is the most attractive point when you perform in your role? Billy is a man who gets things done. He is in control. He is a smart business man. He knows how the system works and this gives him power to manipulate the system to his benefit. He is all about the $$dollar$$. It's fun to play this type of role. I feel this is contradictory to who I really am. 3: When and what was the first time for you to see Bob Fosse's work? The movie All That Jazz was my introduction to Bob Fosse. I watched it with my wife in the mid 90's, before we were married. She was a dancer on Broadway. 4: What kind of person/artist do you think Bob Fosse was? Please describe how his life or work fascinates you. I think his work was/is sexy and provocative. I don't know a whole lot about Bob Fosse. To me it seems he had a lot of internal struggles. Perhaps that's why his art was so extraordinary. 5: Please describe the most attractive point of Kander/Ebb works for you as a singer. Great writers. Witty, intelligent, and so much fun to sing. 6: What is your most favorite number or scene in Chicago? It doesn't need to be your number or not. Also, please let us know why you love/ chose it. I really love the soft shoe "Tap Dance" number. When Roxie is charming Amos to get her the money to hire Billy. When the guys have cigarettes and the MC says, "and now a TAP DANCE." I love the smooth and slinky foot work. The lighting with the cigarette smoke and the hats. 7: Where is your home town? If you have performed Chicago at your hometown, how was it for you? (please explain if there's any special memory). I was born in Lexington, KY. Now I live just outside of LA. No, I have not performed Chicago in my hometown.
Posted by SRD, Tuesday, October 27, 12:18pm
|
|
