Chicago 50 - No. 35 - My Own Best Friend

Photo by Martha Swope, 1975

“My Own Best Friend” was originally intended to be a solo for Gwen, but Gwen, being a dancer first, didn’t feel her voice had the strength to sustain the audience’s attention with a vocal solo at the end of Act 1, so she requested that it be a duet for her and Chita.

When Liza stepped into the role of Roxie while Gwen was out with vocal problems, the number was turned back into a solo for Liza who had a stronger voice, and who the audience wanted to see in another solo number. Chita had no problem with this and was pleased to have a bit of a break in the show! I’ll share much more about when Liza joined the show soon! Stay tuned!

Tony Stevens tells a story at a Dancers Over 40 event in 2011