Chicago Closing?

[My Oh My]

That makes two of us Tamerlano. It's a real treat to see the orchestra performing right in front of you. I always loved Chicago for that.

Even if it was by accident.

By accident, I mean, had they initially planned a full-scale revival of the show, it is more than likely they never would have chosen to have the orchestra up on stage instead of down in the pit. But people forget that this was not a traditional revival of an older musical. It was a concert production, slated for a limited run. So from the start, it was meant to be a very bare bones presentation. In a concert, there is more emphasis placed on the music since that's what primarily is being showcased/celebrated/introduced depending on the purpose of the concert.

But this is obviously not just a music concert but a musical play. The creative team shook things up a little and created a hybrid concert/play by partially staging it and featuring full choreography. They stuck the musicians in a giant, golden framed jury box and they all did their thing, never intending to take that same production all over the world or play London for the next 15 years. But it did, because it resonated with audiences who did not need anything more than what was given on that bare stage. Apart from the provocative, cynical book that rings true these days especially, it has irresistible music, and impressive choreography. That's all we need and Chicago has delivered.

I firmly believe the film version sort of marred the revival's flawless reputation, and through no real fault of its own, meaning that wasn't its intention, obviously. But still, it set people's expectations quite high, so when they bought tickets to see the revival onstage, they were either expecting to see the film onstage or at least expected a fully staged production with all the bells and whistles one has come to expect out of a show at Chicago ticket prices.

Not suggesting the film killed the stage version. If anything, it only brought attention to it but I have also read countless reviews and reports from people who were very disappointed with what they felt was a production done on the cheap. I'm usually ready to shrug my shoulders at non-theatre lovers who show up and are disappointed at a musical they expected to mimic the film version but not in this case because even long time theatre goers who first saw the film seem to think they were robbed after seeing the stage version. Of course, there are those like myself who find the revival to be completely fulfilling in every way. Nobody's right or wrong. It's entirely subjective and we can't say someone is wrong for expecting something more than a production that intended to be a simplified rendering of a fully staged show from the 70s.

I wish I would have caught it when I was in London in September, 2010. It's sad to see it close. I was actually surprised to find myself getting slightly misty eyed at the news. I have great memories with this production and it just wasn't something I was expecting to happen any time soon.

Congrats to all involved for a wildly successful run!!

And my favorite recording is still the '97 Lemper/Henshall London cast recording!

[ClapYo'Hands]

Crazy that this news came today as I just saw the show tonight!

[bob8rich]

A fantastic show! Sad to see it go in one way but also it's had a pretty damn good run! One of the best scores that can currently be heard on a West End stage - though not Kander & Ebb's best score IMO (I think they wrote a huge number of scores that are even better - that's how great their body of work is!).

[ClapYo'Hands]

Agreed Bob! Not many people can write like Kander and Ebb! Their songs never have plain, simple meanings either - they inspire repeat study.

[abitoftap]

Just to confirm how little I know.....
When we first went to New York, Chicago had just opened. One of the reasons we saw it was that we (OK, me), reckoned it would never transfer to London. 15 years later..

[rockyhorrorfan]

I'm just glad the show is still on tour. Going to see it again in Glasgow in November. Although I missed out on seeing Ute Lemper and Henry Goodman when I first saw it in London I've never heard anyone matching the performances on the OLC recording.

The best Roxie I saw was Ruthie and the best Velma was Amra-Faye wright.

I wish they could film the stage show as I hate the movie.

[Smaxie]

>That makes two of us Tamerlano. It's a real treat to see the orchestra performing right in front of you. I always loved Chicago for that. Even if it was by accident. By accident, I mean, had they initially planned a full-scale revival of the show, it is more than likely they never would have chosen to have the orchestra up on stage instead of down in the pit.<

The orchestra was onstage for the original production of Chicago as well. They were up on a bandstand, slightly less prominent than in the revival version, but still in full view of the audience.

[Phantom of London]

How close is this production to the original Encore production?

[Smaxie]

Super close - save for different wigs, slicker costuming and lighting and no scripts, Encores Chicago and Broadway/London revival Chicago look pretty much the same. The thing that is missed from the original '75 production, for me at least, is that each of the numbers had a visual style akin to a famous vaudeville performer, song or act. It gave the numbers a bit more individuality, instead of yet another actor dressed in black stepping forward to do the next song.