Kaye Ballard was Mama Morton in the 1992 Long Beach CA Civic Light Opera production of "Chicago." "When You're Good to Mama" and "Class." Bebe Neuwirth is Velma; Neuwirth would famously repeat the role four years later.
It was an unfortunate thing that the classic Class was dropped from the movie version of Chicago. I understand that most of the songs were supposed to be in Roxie’s mind - but they could have gotten around this with the simple device of Billy Flynn asking Roxie, “Can you imagine what Velma would say if she knew that you were stealing her courtroom act?” - cue song. As always - thank you for bringing us these wonderful clips of memorable performances
I adored Kaye Ballard. One of my first memories is sitting in front of the TV watching The-Mothers-In-Law with she & Eve Arden. I couldn't have been more than 4.
@@auroraspiderwoman5886 Juliet Prowse and Gary Sandy AND the OBC's Mr Cellophane and Mary Sunshine! My memory isn't great these days but I'll never forget my first CHICAGO. :)
I heard that the 1992 Long Beach CA Civic Light Opera production actually was a full-scale production with the original Bob Fosse staging and choreography except for the Hot Honey Rag that they re-choreographed. I saw this about ten years ago on RU-vid before it was taken down. I was wondering if you had the full production on video.
Hey Aurora! I am so glad to see that you’re back again! I missed this video in particular as I’ve always had a fond spot for Kaye Ballard... Do you have footage of Leslie Uggams in “Into the Woods” from the Long Beach civic light opera? I believe it was from the same season as this (or maybe the following year?)
Rob Marshall directed this production 10 years before he directed and choreographed the movie version of Chicago. He really tried to follow the original Bob Fosse staging here as close as possible. Choreography is by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse. Quite a few of the cast members (esp. Ensemble guys) later opened the revival on Broadway - Bebe, Jim Borstelman, David Warren Gibson: they all started their Chicago careers at this regional production.
@@chocolatesouljah This 1992 production of Chicago was the first time Jim was working with Ann Reinking. He must have left an impression at her, given that he was later cast for the Encores and then for the Broadway revival.
What fabulous ladies. They are amazing. Thank you for posting. By chance do you have footage of M. O'Haughey as Mary Sunshine in this revival? It would be so interesting to hear them sing the role almost 30 years later after the clip of them singing on To Tell the Truth that you so graciously posted. I am interested in how the sopranist voice evolves, being one myself. Thanks
Hey Aurora! I was wondering.... Where do you find all of these bootlegs from? A few of them in particular are shot in such good quality - is there a website or trader that you get them from ( im particularly interested In Women on The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown ) ? Just wondering. Or do you trade yourself ( like videos of whole shows, not just clips ) ? Let me know. I love your channel so much - welcome back from your hiatus, I missed you!!!!
