[ruthiefan_felix]

WEDNESDAY

Went to see Chicago. Very happy/excited that I could see a Velma understudy! I thought the Cambridge actually suited Chicago more than the Adelphi!

First of all, the audiences were WILD! Never heard/seen such wild audiences in the Westend. When they announced that it's Ms. Natalie Edmunds playing Velma, the people in the stalls went CRAZY! And when she came out for her ATJ entrace.... the whole theatre just bursted into applause!

Natalie Edmunds (Velma): What can I say?? Simply brilliant! Her dancing is simply amazing! And that girl can SING! She is so tall and so young just like Velma should be.
Bonnie Langford (Roxie): Been waiting for AGES to see her as Roxie! And she is FANTASTIC! She is really perfect for the role. Right age, right height. She short and slim and prob the best dancing Roxie I have seen! Even though I still think Linzi was more funny, she did the role brilliantly! I didnt like her wig though... made her look too old!
Luca Barbareschi (Billy): He wasnt as bad everyone said he is. I think he tried his best. He is kinda funny as he sounded very funny, very ... Italian! His singing is his weak point, his 'We Both Reached For The Gun' was dreadful.
Brenda Edwards (Mama): Girl can she sing! Great voice. But someone should really teach her how to act! She reminds me of that black girl in Scary Movie.
Victor McGuire (Amos): Disappointing performance. No life at all, seemed really tired and dull about the show.
CC Mullaney (Mary): Great voice but once again, bad acting. Her (his) voice gave me shrills!
Ensemble: Like the others said, the choreography is much tighter and is simply a joy to watch... great performances, a great mixture of younger and older performers. I am also happy that they brought back one of my fav. female costume, the one where they have a scarf around like a dress. It's sad that Steven Grace was there, but his swing was great. And may I also add that Tobias Walbom (Fred) and Ed White are HOTTT!!! The girls beside me were screaming when they saw the both of them onstage!

I waited outside the stagedoor, and ALL of Natalie's students/family were waiting there! And its just a mess. There was such a HUGE crowd that people were guided back onto the pavement. Whilst waiting, there's this tall guy in a suit talking in a mobile walking pass. He is very handsome and very recognisable, I thought it might have been Prince Harry but wasnt sure. Then after he walked past, everyone shouted 'omg! that's Prince Harry there!' and they all screamed. And I was pretty sure it was him... why he was there, God knows!
Then Bonnie came out, screams with joy! She and Brenda were SO nice! Overall, it was one of my best Chicago experiences and I am SO happy!

Chicago in its new home (Cambridge Theatre)


Me & Natalie Edmunds (Velma)


Me & Bonnie (Roxie)


Hunyak


Liz


A few pixs of how Bonnie looks like onstage and also the current male ensemble




THank You for bearing my long review...

[MichiFan]

love the theatre.

glad you enjoyed the show.

liz and hunyak are GORGEOUS.

male ensemble looks fantastic. roxie looks a little old for my tastes, onstage anyway.

sounds like the london production is in fantastic shape; good for them!

[Linda]

I love London's West End.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Bonnie was in the right age!!! She's in her mid 40s. And I love her contrast with Natalie. Bonnie's real short and old, yearning for fame; Natalie's very tall and young, very successful. The contrast was great.

And go see this cast if you can!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kev]

Hunyak's a hottie.
and mmmm for the Male Ensemble.

[MichiFan]

mm, we always had the same taste in women, eh kev??

would love to see the london version.

[Kev]

[MademoiselleMusicals]

As soon as Brenda sang on the XF I could see her as Mama Morton - I was estatic when I heard she was playing MM... And I would love to see her!

[MademoiselleMusicals]

BUT why Bonnie Langford as Roxie? I can't see her in the role!!!

[MichiFan]

HAHAHA oh yes, well....it depends on which list you are talking about.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Madamoiselle, you should go see Bonnie before Jen takes over! Bonnie's one of the best Ldn Roxies!

[MademoiselleMusicals]

Hmmmmmm