Broadway needs to fill seats, but that’s ridiculous.
The long-running musical, “Chicago,” has always relied on the stunt cast for its various roles. Sometimes it worked — like when Christie Brinkley joined the cast and wowed audiences. And sometimes not.
Now comes Pamela Anderson, a celebrity with no musical background other than she could hum ex-husband Tommy’s Motley Crue “songs.” Anderson, famous for being Julian Assange’s prison pal and making a sex tape years ago, will join “Chicago” playing Roxie Hart.
I know it sounds funny and kitschy, but it’s also embarrassing for all the leading ladies who have played Roxie over the past 25 years. Right now, that would be the amazing Charlotte D’Amboise. Tony winner James Monroe Inglehart plays Billy Flynn. They must be blown away.
“Chicago” gets a bad rap because producers Fran and Barry Weissler cater to large swaths of international audiences who may not be fluent in English. When I last visited the show, when big guest Valerie Simpson played the prison matron, I was pretty much the only American in any direction, let alone New Yorker.
But with the pandemic, tourists are scarce. We don’t have numbers on “Chiccago”, but it can’t be easy there. Who exactly would be present at this point? So they need stunts. Pamela Anderson from “Baywatch” undoubtedly has a huge following. If international tourists return, they will immediately know who she is. Meanwhile, Bob Fosse is rolling over in his grave.
The fun starts on April 12 and lasts for 8 weeks.
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