| Chicago Review 6-3-03 By: Heather Smith, Webmistress Roxane Carrasco as Velma Tracy Shayne as Roxie Tuesday nights show... Roxane's opening night. Now I remember what made me love Chicago so much -- Roxane as Velma playing opposite Tracy as Roxie. There is a charisma, style and energy Roxane and Tracy bring to the roles which make me absoultely enthralled in their every move. As Roxane ascended through the middle of the orchestra with her arm bent slightly over her head, I got chills. The audience applauded and yelled and so did I. It was a wonderful moment. Her All That Jazz was nothing less than phenomenal; both stunning and sultry at the same time and I was not disappointed. It's such a thrill for me to see Roxane back in a role she is truly worthy of. She is a talent to be prominently displayed for all to see... not to be held back in an ensemble role. Tracy was the perfect combination of endearing and manipulative, letting us see and experience every emotion Roxie is going through. Roxie is both a little girl and a woman wise beyond her years, and Tracy's portrayal brings that to life. It's wonderful to see Roxie played in such a multi-faceted way. Tracy's Roxie truly wears her heart on her sleeve, and that's one of the many things which makes me favor her performance over the other Roxie's I have seen in the past. It definitely sets Tracy apart from the rest. The ensemble was in perfect shape with Michelle DeJean back in the role of Mona after injuring her hip. The cast is so alive and fresh now, it feels to me as if it just opened. At the end of I Can't Do It Alone was Roxane's signature move; her flying split. There was a collective and audible gasp from the audience as she landed on the stage, which was followed by a solid minute of applause and cheering. It was entirely well deserved and a wonderful surprise; especially for Roxane's opening night! I'm dismayed to report that Angie Stone has not gotten any better in the role of Mama... She was losing both her singing and speaking voice throughout the first act, and by the time act two was set to begin she was gone -- literally. Thus came the announcement of the night: "Ladies and gentlemen; For the remainder of this evening's performance the role of Matron Mama Morton will be played by Michelle Robinson." Can we say HOT DAMN!? Michelle was a powerful Mama. Sassy, brassy, sexy and classy. When she sang Class with Roxane I was blown away. She is definitely another overlooked and underappreciated talent in the cast. Brava Michelle! Nowadays/The Hot Honey Rag was absolutely superb and perfect in every sense of the word. A truly shining example of the statement "Two moving as one." I have never seen it performed with more grace, elegance and downright attitude -- and I probably never will. I was visibly moved/touched at the curtain call when Roxane and Tracy took their bows together. As they came center stage, Roxane held her arms out to Tracy and the two hugged each other and then bowed, while waving and blowing kisses to the crowd. In my opinion it was a priceless and classic moment, and the perfect end to a perfect performance. |