{"id":982,"date":"2010-04-28T16:19:59","date_gmt":"2010-04-28T20:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/?p=982"},"modified":"2010-04-28T16:19:59","modified_gmt":"2010-04-28T20:19:59","slug":"theatre-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/theatre-chicago\/","title":{"rendered":"THEATRE: CHICAGO"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO<\/em><\/h1>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chicago<\/em> is back at Hollywood\u2019s Pantages Theatre, for at least the fourth time, and it just never gets old. It doesn\u2019t seem to matter much who\u2019s in it–the music, and especially the choreography, hold it up no matter what. It\u2019s just one of those entertaining shows that\u2019s goof-proof.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s really not much to say about it; if you\u2019ve seen any<\/em> production of it, you already know it\u2019s a fun show, and one that\u2019s worth re-viewing. If you\u2019ve never <\/em>seen it before, and shockingly, there are still some of you out there, I suggest that you see it now. It\u2019s almost like Musical Theatre 101–it\u2019s a must in any theatre education.<\/p>\n

\"832\"The best part always, for me, is Bob Fosse\u2019s iconic choreography. It look so easy, but trust me, as a former dancer, it\u2019s far from it. And the show always features the best bodies ever, even when the dancers are much older than expected. (Which I applaud. We don\u2019t always have to see 20-year-olds when the originals are still in great shape.) People who specialize in Fosse Technique just keep those muscles forever<\/em>!<\/p>\n

Speaking of bodies, although former Destiny\u2019s Child member, Michelle Williams, who stars as murderess Roxie Hart, is fine in the part, they should have redesigned her costume to cover up those skinny pins of hers! I know the wardrobe has been the same in every production from the beginning, but a pair of pants would have gone a long way to keep the audience from being distracted by her way-under-developed gams.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not just being picky–when she\u2019s dancing next to those real dancers, who are absolute specimens of physical fitness, it really detracts from the big picture, which is what Bob Fosse was all about. For a singer, who\u2019s not really a dancer, she holds her own; I\u2019m just suggesting a pair of loose slacks would have been helpful to the viewer\u2019s eye. Especially in the final number with Roxie\u2019s arch-nemesis, Velma Kelly, played to perfection by Terra C. MacLeod.<\/p>\n

Other than that, I have no complaints. As always, it was a fun evening of theatre, one that I suggest you all go see while you have the chance. (Mother\u2019s Day gift, anyone?)<\/p>\n

(Note: I\u2019ve seen Brent Barrett play Billy Flynn a few times over the years, and I\u2019m happy to report that he gives it the same gusto as the first time, without getting extra campy about it. I imagine that must be hard to do, so good for him.)<\/p>\n

There is one thing that makes this run different from the previous ones. That\u2019s the fact that there\u2019s a new W Hotel across the street, so we all have someplace hip to go to before or after. Even if you don\u2019t go there at all, it kind-of lends an air of glamour to the whole evening. (Matinees, too, of course!)<\/p>\n

Luckily for those of us who haven\u2019t had the time to visit there yet, that\u2019s where the opening night party was held, in what\u2019s entitled The Great Room. (I wish it had a better handle, though. Kind-of self-aggrandizing, if you can attribute that to a hotel.) The hotel was fabulous, the food, especially the Caesar salad was excellent, and the service was pleasant. It was the perfect happy ending to a whole happy evening.<\/p>\n

Chicago<\/em> running through May 9, 2010
\nPantages Theatre 6233 Hollywood Blvd. 800-982-2787 www.BroadwayLA.org<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO \u00a0 Chicago is back at Hollywood\u2019s Pantages Theatre, for at least the fourth time, and it just never gets old. It doesn\u2019t seem to matter much who\u2019s in it–the music, and especially the choreography, hold it up no matter what. It\u2019s just one of those entertaining shows that\u2019s goof-proof. There\u2019s really not much to<\/p>\n

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