PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With Chicago Star Nikka Graff LanzaroneEver wonder about the routine of a Broadway actor on one of those grueling two-performance days? Nikka Graff Lanzarone, who stars as Velma Kelly in the Broadway production of Chicago, offers Playbill.com readers an exclusive look behind the scenes at a recent day at the theatre.
By
Matthew Blank
August 25, 2011
Armed with a digital camera, Lanzarone takes us through her day, from morning coffee(s) to the trip home and everything in between. She shows off her daily rituals, conducts a tour of the theatre and introduces the numerous people who make the show happen eight times a week.
Enjoy a day at Chicago with Nikka Graff Lanzarone:
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "C'mon Babe, Why Don't We Paint the Town!" A Two-Show Day With Chicago Star Nikka Graff Lanzarone
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "C'mon Babe, Why Don't We Paint the Town!" A Two-Show Day With Chicago Star Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Nikka Graff Lanzarone, currently starring as Velma Kelly in the Broadway production of Chicago, offers Playbill.com readers an extensive look at a recent two-show day, from morning coffee(s) to final bow. She takes us through her daily rituals, conducts a tour of the theatre and introduces the numerous people who make the show happen.
64 PHOTOS
Good Morning! Here we are in my kitchen, looking out the window, drinking coffee before a long two-show day at the Ambassador Theatre. I’m a major coffee addict and need at least two cups before I’m out the door!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
The Ambassador Theatre, where Chicago plays eight shows a week! Let’s take a tour, shall we?
Mama’s wig gets some love before a long day at the office.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Hair inspiration collage up on the mirror. I never get tired of looking at it.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
The fabulous Brian O’Brien!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Time to sign in! Jenn Dunne gives me a pose by the callboard.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Our callboard full of announcements, schedules, reminders and… what’s that?
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
A poster that I’ve asked everyone to sign. See, Mom? I got it done for you!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Upstairs to my room!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Here it is! I’ve brought a few things from home for inspiration.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
We had a runing cat theme during my rehearsal process, so I channeled my love of vintage fashion and reminders to be cat-like. The old Lanvin ad is my favorite. The cat mask is from New Orleans!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
A Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS special Christmas ornament of Chita Rivera hangs in my dressing room- reminding me of the legacy of Chicago.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
My messy station! No matter how I try to organize it, it is always crazy!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Photobooth strips of my wonderful boyfriend, Dan.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
That little girl making the face is me in 1st grade! A showgirl then, a showgirl now.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
A gift from my parents. Dancer Who Speaks!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Costumes! Sometimes I still don’t believe I actually get to wear these iconic clothes.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Breakfast of Champions. I told you I was a coffee addict!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
"Before" picture. I think people are starting to arrive. I’d better warm up before they get annoyed at my hollering.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Vocal warm-ups. Incredibly important!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Time for makeup! It takes a lot of colors to make a Velma.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Almost done with makeup. What do you think?
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
I bring my laptop on two-show days. Follow me on Twitter @nikkalanz!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Brian Spitulnik arrives! He usually sits on my couch before half hour…
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
…just like that.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Peter Nelson stops in to say hello.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Company Manager Rina Saltzman
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Jason Patrick Sands and Ryan Worsing, looking adorable (as always).
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Michael Cusumano!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
David Kent, our dance captain, stops in to show off his abs to the boys. Needless to say, I thought Playbill needed to see that!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
The boys settle in my room, while Jeff comes in with wigs.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Here we go!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Oh no, Mikey, what are you doing?!!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Showtime!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
The beautiful Dylis Croman runs up the stairs after “All I Care About.”
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Chris Sullivan prepares for an entrance.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Cleo and Charlotte have a moment.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Mikey does some stretching on the bannister. Ouch!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Intermission time! Our intrepid publicist Jeremy Shaffer strikes a pose in the Stage Management office.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
"Mama" Carol Woods and the brilliant Leslie Stifelman ham it up. They’re always silly during intermission.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Nicole Bridgewater runs to drop her tea off before places and takes a moment with her phone.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
James Harkness checks his messages.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Places! Mikey grabs his whistle and we are on to Act II.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
My wonderful friend Chad Riter came to the matinee! He visits in my dressing room after the show.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
A quick moment for some lunch in the wardrobe room.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Time to sign back in for the second show.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
My mother always taught me to brush my teeth before half hour. The things that stay with you, right?
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Extra-Strength Tiger Balm, champion of two-show-days and sore muscles.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Charlotte and Chris Sieber swap stories. I love it!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Intermission: Peter Nelson works on Sieber’s sore muscles…
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
…then treats himself to some watermelon! Thanks for bringing it in, Mama Carol!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Sharon Moore, one of our masterful Swings, and Steve Singer, her drummer husband, pose for me. They’re the cutest.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Right before "Razzle Dazzle." Mikey, in character as Olga (don’t ask), tells us a sad story, while Melissa and Dylis listen.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Melissa and Dylis can’t believe what they’re hearing! Or is that just…
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
…Christopher Sieber, practical joker?! Yep.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Mama Carol finds all these antics HILARIOUS!
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Charlotte takes a minute before going onstage to the courtroom scene.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Second show is over! All the shoes in a row.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
A quick in-the-mirror goodbye shot.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
I make sure everyone has signed the poster.
Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Then home to bed. Thanks for joining me, Playbill! Come see me in Chicago through Sept. 4.
Lanzarone made her Broadway debut as Marisa in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and recently appeared in the Transport Group's revival of Hello Again. Follow her on Twitter at @nikkalanz or visit nikka-graff-lanzarone.com.
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On Aug. 27 the Tony-winning revival of John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse's Chicago becomes the fourth longest-running production in Broadway history when it surpasses A Chorus Line with a total of 6,138 performances. The Broadway production currently stars two-time Tony Award nominee Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart, Nikka Graff Lanzarone as Velma Kelly, two-time Tony Award nominee Christopher Sieber as Billy Flynn, Chris Sullivan as Amos Hart and Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton. As previously announced, former "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi will make her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in an eight-week engagement beginning Sept. 5. DioGuardi will be joined by longtime Chicago veteran Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly. (Lanzarone plays her final performance Sept. 4.)
The revival of Chicago began life as one of the three annual Encores! presentations offered by City Center. The musical opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in Nov. 1996 where it remained through Feb. 1997. The musical transferred to the Shubert Theatre on Feb. 11, 1997, and played that house through Jan. 26, 2003. The revival reopened at the Ambassador Theatre, its current home, on Jan. 29, 2003.
Chicago won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997 as well as awards for actors Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, director Walter Bobbie, lighting designer Ken Billington and choreographer Ann Reinking. The original production was directed and choreographed by the late Bob Fosse.
The Ambassador Theatre is located at 219 West 49th Street.
Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.
The production will include Bernstein’s incidental music for Lillian Hellman’s adaptation of The Lark, and Menotti’s The Unicorn, The Gorgon, and The Manticore.
