Beam Me Up, Roxie!
Anne L. Nathan is no Broadway newbie, having played roles in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Ragtime and the Tony-winning revival of Assassins and performed in national tours of Les Miserables and Aspects of Love. Her current gig as Matron Mama Morton in Chicago has opened up a razzle-dazzle world of skin, fishnet body stockings and…shoulder pads. Here, Nathan reveals what makes her co-stars superhuman and what still makes her blush.
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I enter the stage door at 7:00pm. The first thing I see are boobs five inches above my head. A gorgeous, leggy redhead, wearing nothing but a bra, panties and a fishnet body stocking, is warming up on stairs. I turn the corner and see a man with washboard abs bare-chested with only a pair of skintight pants well, glorified leggings and a vest. By the way, everyone here is gorgeous, tall, has an exceptional body and… is nearly naked. It's kind of like an alternate universe. Just like the TV show Sliders. This is the world of Chicago.
I, on the other hand, am not nearly naked. I get to wear a mannish suit with shoulder pads. WHAT???? Girls who are built like me do not, I repeat: DO NOT wear shoulder pads. I'm already dangerously close to resembling a linebacker. Even in the '80s, when they were oh so chic, I promptly removed them from every article of clothing I owned. However, I am extremely grateful that I'm not sporting the fishnet body stocking.
What first struck me was how confident and free everyone was with their bodies and with each other. They are always kissing, touching and hugging. At the onset, it made me very uncomfortable, and I wanted to run screaming from the theater. I'm the kind of gal that quickly gives you her cheek when you try to kiss her on the lips. Obviously: I am not so free. I'm used to doing shows where one is a little more clothed and a little less demonstrative.
Well, I've been here for seven weeks and here's my discovery: They are the real deal. These are the true triple-threats you hear about. They are all fantastic dancers, but here's the crazy thing: they are also outstanding actors and singers. The beautiful thing about Chicago is that the cast is not right out of college. There is tremendous sexiness in confidence and experience, which sets this company apart. The gorgeous boobs and washboard abs also have laugh line wrinkles around the eyes and the distinguished graying temples of a life lived hard and well. They bring their years, their discipline, the hard knocks and the resilience with them. They are a generous, funny and warm group that will also turn around and tell you exactly what they think--even if you don't want to hear it. I find it incredibly refreshing.
It's not the razzle-dazzle that keeps Chicago running-it's the lifeblood and moxie of artists who have earned their way.
I'm now walking around backstage in a bra. I'm kissing and hugging a whole lot more. And just the other day, I flashed my friend Bernard my breasts. I'm starting to get a bit unleashed! Although I still blush when I see public displays of affections, I feel like I've started to dip my foot into the alternate universe.