Customer Reviews

Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1980 Australian Cast)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Geraldine Turner OAM shines in the original Australian cast recording of "Chicago". Her gutsy, delicious presence give this production an exciting edge. Turner was recently seen in Cameron Mackintosh's production of "The Witches of Eastwick" in Melbourne as Felicia Gabriel, and also in Melbourne Theatre Company's production of "Inheritance" by Hannie Rayson.

This is the 1981 original Australian cast of CHICAGO, directed by the late and lamented Richard Wherrett. The quality of the recording is average and is really only for die-hard fans of the musical and completists.

Nancye Hayes and Geraldine Turner play Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, respectively, and they are excellent performers. Particularly-memorable are Hayes' "Funny Honey" and "Roxie"; and Turner's "When Velma Takes the Stand". Turner's "All That Jazz" oddly does nothing to me.

Judi Connelli, as Matron 'Mama' Morton, is easily the best performer here. Her "When You're Good to Mama" is a powerhouse rendition, and the best aside from Marcia Lewis' rendition on the 1996 Broadway revival album. Also, her hilarious duet with Geraldine Turner in "Class" is worth the price of the CD all by itself.

Terence Donovan and George Spartels are both adequate, though hardly surprising, in their respective roles of Billy Flynn and Amos Hart. J. Webster's Mary Sunshine is the weakest of the cast, and is the worst-sung Mary Sunshine I have heard on CD. Even so, the role is one of the hardest ones to perform in the musical.

This is an average recording, and it makes me wonder why the original Australian revival cast headed by Caroline O'Connor and Chelsea Gibb wasn't made. A little disappointing, but redeemed by the superb trio of Nancye Hayes, Geraldine Turner and Judi Connelli.

aa fantastic rendidtion of the show in its original form. Geraldine Turners 'all that jazz' is Superb-my favourite version, and Nancye Hayes is a Brilliant Roxie, and Judi connelli (and all the critics agree) is the best Matron Mama Morton there is! This is a definate for any true Chicago fan!