Mood Change

It seems that Blogger has added titles to the blogging template, but they aren't activated. That's too bad, because you should SEE some of the titles I'm giving some of my entries....

I mentioned yesterday that I had some complaining to do about Chicago the Musical, and now that I'm no longer feeling all crampy, here are five reasons you should NOT see this musical during your next trip to Chicago.

1. The Venue - I'm sure in its heyday, the Shubert Theater was a sight to see - big, bold columns, velvetesque seating, balconies, everything the aspiring flapper might want in a theater. However, in 2003, the Shubert is hardly what it once was. I think people are generally taller then they were 100 years ago, so maybe this wasn't a problem back when the place was built, but there is absolutely NO leg room to speak of. And please, I'm hardly a giant at 5 foot 5. My knees were up against the chair in front of me. The rise between the rows is also not large enough - it was nearly impossible to see the show amidst the heads. The acoustics were a joke. The words to the songs were often indiscernible.

2. The Cast - Matron Mama Morton was played by a woman in her 80's. Not to be ageist, but come on. The actress (sorry, no names here, I tossed my program) was one of the original cast members of the show when it opened in the '70s. She can hardly move, let alone dance, and the voice, if there ever was one, is gone. While the woman who played Velma Kelly certainly was beautiful, her singing was weak. The ensemble was very small, maybe 20 people on stage, including the band, which made for a very weak sound - especially during the supposed show stoppers like "All That Jazz".

3. The set - I understand that the set was designed to be simple, but there is simple and then there is stupid. The stage isn't large enough for the action. The last number, where Velma and Roxie are supposed to be wowing crowds is pathetic. The backdrop consisted of gold lamé streamers with yellow stars projected on them. There is also quite a bit of side stage action going on, but the angle of the stage makes it difficult to see what is going on unless you are on the main floor.

4. The costumes - The costumes were all very drab, except for the silver spangly buckled shoes Velma and Roxie wear at the end. They are glaring white against the drabness of the set and costuming. But what costuming? The characters wear the same outfits for the entire show,with the exception of Roxie, who puts on a jacket from time to time. Are we to believe that Velma Kelly wears the same sequin dress in her nightclub act that she wore her entire time in prison and her debut with Roxie after being released? Feh.

5. The acting - Roxie, Maitron Mama Morton had no sense of timing whatsoever. Pauses where they don't belong, rushing through dialogue and songs where pauses should be.

Having said all that, the actor who played Billy Flynn is an exception. He sang and acted and did a little dancing, which was pretty decent. I think he saved the show from being a complete waste of time.

Still, for what these tickets cost, there should have been some razzle dazzle. Instead, the whole thing was, to borrow a word from Stennie, craptacular. What a shame to have to go to New York to see a decent production of Chicago.