The national tour of long-running but troubled Broadway musical Victor/Victoria, starring pop singer Toni Tennille, got underway Sept. 1 in Reno, NV, and has been running smoothly since, though the tour will not come to Chicago, IL, Oct. 6-11, as originally planned. According to a spokesperson at Anita Dloniak's office (Sept. 29), representing JAM Theatricals, "The Chicago market just wasn't responding, so due to production costs and ticket demands that fell short of expectations, we're cancelling that engagement." The company will take that week off and do some more rehearsing in Pittsburgh, PA, in anticipation of its Pittsburgh engagement the following week. The rest of the tour schedule will stay the same, with road dates scheduled through June 1999.

A statement issued by JAM Theatricals (via Margie Korshak Inc. public relations), noted that "one reason for the lack of enthusiasm on the part of the Chicago market was [that] the first time Victor/Victoria played in Chicago with Julie Andrews, in 1995, it received mixed reviews."

The show has already played Reno, Portland (OR), Costa Mesa and Omaha, and is about to open a week in Grand Rapids, MI. Those requesting ticket refunds for the Chicago engagement should call (312) 951-0080.

Tennille plays Victoria Grant, a down-and-out singer who becomes a sensation by masquerading as a female impersonator. As "The Captain & Tennille," she and her husband, Daryl Dragon, achieved pop stardom in 1975 with Neil Sedaka's "Love Will Keep Us Together" and followed that up with such chart-toppers as "Shop Around," "Do It to Me One More Time" and, of course, "Muskrat Love."

Since then, cabaret and concert turns have been the mainstay of Tennille's career, but Victor/Victoria is far from her first theatrical gig. After studying classical piano as a youth, she joined CA's South Coast Repertory and appeared in such roles as Lizzie in The Rainmaker and Nurse Ratched(!) in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. Recent roles include a Los Angeles mounting of the Broadway revue, Stardust. Still married to the Captain (love has kept them together), Tennille serves as the Governor's Ambassador to Arts for the State of Nevada.

NETworks is co producing the tour with Jeriko.

Based on the Blake Edwards film of the same name, Victor/Victoria features a book by Edwards and a score by Leslie Bricusse (lyrics) and the late Henry Mancini. Songs include "Le Jazz Hot" (from the film), "Paris By Night" and "Paris Makes Me Horny."

Co-starring in Vic/Vic are Denis Cole as King Marchand; Jamie Ross as best-buddy Toddy, and Dana Lynn Mauro as ditzy Norma.

Here are the remaining tour dates (as of Sept. 29):
Grand Rapids, MI (Sept. 29-Oct. 4)
(Week off, Oct. 6-11)
Pittsburgh, PA (Oct. 13-18)
Milwaukee, WI (Oct. 20-25)
Norfolk, VI (Oct. 27-Nov. 1)
New Orleans, LA (Nov. 3-8)
Tampa, FL (Nov. 10-15)
Miami, FL (Nov. 17-22)
Palm Beach, FL (Nov. 24-29)
Orlando, FL (Dec. 1-6)
Boston, MA (Dec. 29, 1998-Jan. 10, 1999)
Columbus, OH (Jan. 12-17)
Indianapolis, IN (Jan. 19-24)
Providence, RI (Jan. 26-31)
Naples, FL (Feb. 3-7)
Memphis, TN (Feb. 9-14)
San Antonio, TX (Feb. 16-21)
Palm Desert, CA (Feb. 24-28)
Salt Lake City, UT (Mar. 2-7)
Long Beach, CA (Mar. 9-14)
Tempe, AZ (Mar. 16-21)
Dallas, TX (Mar. 23-28)
Cincinnati, OH (Mar. 30-Apr. 11)
Atlanta, GA (Apr. 13-18)
Baltimore, MD (Apr. 20-25)
Hartford, CT (Apr. 27-May 2)
Greensville, SC/Jacksonville, FL (May 4-9)
Louisville, KY (May 11-16)
Stamford, CT (May 18-23)
Saginaw, MI/Ft. Wayne, IN (June 1-6)
St. Louis, MO (Jun. 8-13)
Cleveland, OH (Jun. 15-27)

The Broadway production of Victor/Victoria closed July 27, 1997 after 738 performances at the Marquis Theatre. Star Julie Andrews was a big box office draw, but various forced her to miss an increasing number of performances (and cancel a limited, post-Broadway tour). Andrews left the Broadway production and was replaced by Raquel Welch, who was initially under consideration for the national tour. Variety reported that at Vic/Vic's Broadway closing, the production had recouped less than half its initial $8.5 million investment. Producer Tony Adams told Playbill On-Line that he expected the show to go into the black once the tour had been completed.