[JemiBoe1981]

Okay, folks. I just got the London recording with Ute Lemper and Ruthie Henshall, and I really prefer it to the movie soundtrack, original Broadway recording, and the revival Broadway recording, as well. It has a lot more of oomph, especially on the female side. Ute and Ruthie are the best Roxie and Velma pairing I have ever heard. Thogh I like all the ones I have heard, these two just seem the best for their roles. Ute plays Velma not only with nastiness and dry humor but is also very very sultry, and Ruthie as Roxie is overdone, dramatic, and completely amazing, though maybe seems a bit young.
However, the stage usually only has room for one diva. So, who do you think takes the cake on this recording? I definitley adore Ute more, though I love Ruthie in other roles. Ute was born to play Velma, and she is absolutely perfect. But I like Ruthie, too, and my best pal Angie prefers Ruthie. So who do you choose?

[RainbowJude]

I've voted for Ruthie as I have never taken to Ute in the role. I'm generally not a very big Ute fan.

Later days
David

Musical Pick of the Day: Zorba by John Kander and Fred Ebb.

[Kev]

I think both Ruthie and Ute brought strengths to their roles. Ute may have been the more unique and relevatory, but both were INCREDIBLY solid.

[Kragey]

I'm going to tie up the voting stands and say Ute. I adore her, and this is no difference. Ruthie is great, too, and I still think she was the best Fantine ever, but I've heard better Roxies.

[Louis]

Ute and Ruthie are both exceptional performers, but I am especially amazed by Ute's versatility and the many, many things she can do well. Ruthie is great, though, except Roxie isn't her best role. I doubt Ute has really found the best role for her, but part of that depends upon whether or not she'll return to the musical stage. In Chicago Ute was stronger, for her Velma was simply more intriguing and multi-dimensional than Ruthie's Roxie.

[Rich]

Come off it, Ute's accent was diabolical, her characterisations pure cartoon and her singing was the worst I've heard from her. I'm a big Ute Lemper fan but she should stick to what's she's good at (cabaret) and leave musical theatre well alone.
~rich

[ByeByeBirdieFan89]

Well she does have an Oliver for her Velma..

[JemiBoe1981]

Ute can't really help her accent hough, can she? I mean, she's German (or something European, I just got into her, don't know much about her yet) and while she tried an American accent (or so it sounds), a heavy accent like hers would be very difficult to cover completely. But I think her singing more than made up for the accent.

And as much as I love her, Ruthie is pretty animated too, and her take at an American accent wasn't so hot, either.

[Rich]

She does indeed have an Olivier, but then, Halle Berry got an Oscar for "Monsters Ball" so awards don't mean much.

Her accent isn't too bad when she normally tries to do an American accent (which is pretty much how she sounds when speaking English anyway) but the one she chose for Chicago was awful.

Watch the "Making Of..." for the London Chicago production: watch Ann Reinking's face when she sees Ute rehearsing. It says it all.
~Rich

[RainbowJude]

[ByeByeBirdieFan89]

Ewwww at all the Ute bashing.

Ute is amazing. goodbye.

[Joe]

personally i think this is a stupid poll.
Ute and Ruthie are to totally different types of performers

[RainbowJude]

[Joe]

it's stupid cause you're asked to compare Ruthie as Roxie and Ute as Velma. I could see if you were asked to compare two recordings of let's say Ruthie as Velma and another of Ute as Velma.

[JemiBoe1981]

No, that isn't what it is supposed to mean. I am asking which performance on the CD you prefer, not who is the all around better performer period.