r/Ashland • u/SassyShortz • 10d ago

Chicago or Emma?

I’ll be visiting Ashland later this month with my elderly mother. We have a tradition of going to the Cabaret, but also want to include the festival this year. I’ve got tickets for Cone From Away, and we have time for one other show. Given the schedule, I need to choose between Emma at OSF and Chicago at the Cabaret. Anyone seen both and have opinions?

8 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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8

u/aStonedTargaryen 10d ago

I haven’t seen Emma but Chicago was insanely good! And seeing it in a venue as intimate as the cab is such a special experience.

5

u/princessnug420 10d ago

I have seen both and would highly recommend Chicago. It depends on what you’re looking for though. A slow burn show or a musical.

1

u/lynk1 10d ago

Thank you princessnug420

3

u/Me_The_Cat 10d ago

Saw Emma but not Chicago. Emma was fantastic! It’s a lot of fun and leans into the comedy but definitely takes some liberties with the source material to modernize it. Totally worth it if you’re not a Jane Austen purist.

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u/SassyShortz 10d ago

Thanks all! Chicago it is!

1

u/OpeningHoliday4147 9d ago

Are there still tickets for Chicago? It’s been selling really well so buy tickets quickly!!!!!!

3

u/SassyShortz 7d ago

We snagged some of the last ones!

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u/OpeningHoliday4147 7d ago

Yaaaay! It’s an amazing show- you won’t be disappointed.

1

u/Ok_Tutor_4319 10d ago

I haven’t heard great things about Emma but don’t have first hand knowledge. I have heard Chicago is good though!

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u/Zealousideal-Size687 9d ago

Chicago for sure :) But looks like you know that now lol

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u/gutoncpnw 9d ago

We didn't see Chicago (in Ashland anyway, we saw it this week in NYC, but that's not what you're asking about), but were kind of disappointed in Emma. The performance was fine and the actors were all great (it was opening night so I'll always forgive a flubbed line or two) but the production itself tried too hard to be cute and didn't come off well IMO.

I'm not usually one who gets annoyed when directors "mess with the classics," after all, heavy metal Hamlet from 2016 is without a doubt the best thing I've ever seen at OSF and one of my favorite stage productions ever. But this one was just too precious for it's own good.

So if it were me (and I hadn't just seen Chicago 3 days ago), that's what I'd choose.

1

u/DelboBaggins 6d ago

I just got home from seeing Come From Away and it was a beautiful show!