The big draw for this touring company is fashion
model Christy Brinkley. Now in her fifties, she is still a beauty but
lacks the show biz quality of the type we expect to see in the role of
Roxie Hart. She does not have the singing voice nor the dancing ability to
carry the role. On the other hand, her co-star, Amra-Faye Wright, was
wonderful as her prison nemesis Velma. She is a superb dancer and singer.
The ever popular, John O'Hurley, was charming as Billy Flynn, shyster
lawyer for the "lovable" lady murderesses. However, he is not much of a
hoofer himself. Since the parts of Roxie Hart and Billy Flynn call for
dancing, perhaps that is why the choreography is toned down in their roles
There is still some fabulous dancing to be seen by the ensemble in this
production which is recreated by Gary Chryst (original New York
choreography in the style of Bob Fosse by Ann Reinking).
R. Lowe's operatic voice is superb as journalist
Mary Sunshine, and Carol Woods certainly brings the house down with When
You're Good To Mama, as "Mama" Morton, Matron to all her wards in the
prison. A real standout is Ron Ohrbach who plays Roxie's put-upon husband
Amos Hart. How could anyone not feel empathy for this man, particularly
after listening to his tale of woe with Mister Cellophane?
Chicago is still two-and-a-half hours of pure
enjoyment (including intermission). It plays Tuesdays through Fridays at 8
PM, Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 1 PM and 6:30 PM, through
May 27, at the Pantages Theatre located at 6233 Hollywood Blvd., in
Hollywood. Tickets are available online at
www.BroadwayLA.org, by phone at
(800) 982-2787, at the Pantages Box Office, and all Ticketmaster Outlets.
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