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Chicago - The Musical at Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre

Why see Chicago - The Musical?

Start The Car, We Know a Whoopee Spot!

A Broadway phenomenon since its inception in 1975, Chicago puts the BAD in, well bad-ass dames. A scorching musical satire on celebrity and crime, Chicago is a fearless portrayal of the pursuit of infamy that rings true in any decade. Set in 1920s Chicago, the tale focuses on two women both accused of murdering their lovers, and their insidious journey to freedom, justice be damned. The world's longest musical revival is currently on a hugely successful North American tour, so break out the fish-nets, tap shoes and practice your jazz hands!

The Name on Everybody's Lips is Gonna Be....?

Velma Kelly is a glamorous cabaret performer awaiting trial for the murder of her philandering husband and twin sister in Cook County Jail. Having grown used to her infamy and celebrity status as the 'wronged woman' she is furious when she finds herself upstaged by a seemingly innocent ingenue, chorus girl Roxie Hart, a firstly timid but later ambitious go-getter who threatens Velma's carefully cultivated limelight. With an equally ambitious and money-minded lawyer, Billy Flynn, the two women embark on a cold war of sorts, upstaging each other to reclaim the public's love, and to escape the hangman's noose.

This starts a battle over the charismatic Flynn's attentions, which Velma and Roxie must compete to get themselves off death row and onto the stage where they believe their infamy will draw in the crowds. Throw into the mix a corrupt prison warden called Mama Morton, who accepts money in exchange for privileges, and the action behind bars heats up whilst their fellow prisoners are left to fend for themselves at the mercy of the public defenders. Will they both escape the executioner? Or will their bickering prevail in sending them both to the gallows instead of the vaudeville stage?

The Truth Behind the Legend

As outrageous as the story appears, it was in fact inspired by the 1926 play of the same name, and based on the records of court reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins of the high-profile trials of murderesses Beulah Annan and Belva Gareter for the Chicago Tribune. The state's press and public were immediately enamoured of the sensationalist reporting, making the women into celebrities overnight and changing attitudes whilst the Jazz Age freed women from previous societal bounds.

Key Information

Audience

Chicago may be inappropriate for children aged 12 and under. Children under 4 years of age will not be admitted.

Run Time

Two hours 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission

Dates

Finished Apr 15, 2018

Cast

  • Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart
  • Lana Gordon as Velma Kelly
  • Peter Lockyer as Billy Flynn
  • Paul C. Vogt as Amos Hart
  • Jennifer Fouche as Matron 'Mama' Morton
  • D.Ratell as Mary Sunshine
  • Kate Wesler as Go-To-Hell Kitty/ understudy Roxie and Velma
  • Deon Ridley as Bailiff/Court Clerk/understudy Billy Flynn
  • Christophe Caballero as Swing/Dance Captain
  • Lani Corson as June/understudy Velma Kelly
  • Seth Danner as Harry/Martin Harrison
  • Monica Woods as Liz
  • Andrew Eckert as Fred Casely
  • Arian Keddell as Annie
  • Alexa Jane Lowis as Hunyak/understudy Mama Morton
  • Grant Paylor as Swing
  • Anthony LaGuardia as Aaron
  • Taylor Collins as Doctor/Judge
  • Charity van Tassel as Swing
  • Kyle Dupree as Sgt. Fogarty
  • Matthew Winnegge as Jury Member/understudy Amos Hart
  • Alida Michal as Mona/understudy Velma Kelly

Creative

  • Direction by Walter Bobbie
  • Music, Book and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb
  • Original Direction by Bob Fosse
  • Choreography by Ann Reinking
  • Set Design by John Lee Beatty
  • Costumes by William Ivey Long

Awards

1999 Grammy Awards

Nominations
  • Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album

1998 Grammy Awards

  • Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album

1997 Drama Desk Awards

  • Outstanding Revival of a Musical
  • Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Bebe Neuwirth
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Joel Grey
  • Outstanding Choreography - Ann Reinking
  • Outstanding Director of a Musical - Walter Bobbie
  • Outstanding Lighting Design - Ken Billington
Nominations
  • Outstanding Actor in a Musical - James Naughton
  • Oustanding Featured Actress in a Musical - Marcia Lewis

1997 Tony Awards

  • Best Revival of a Musical
  • Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical - James Naughton
  • Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical - Bebe Neuwirth
  • Best Direction of a Musical - Walter Bobbie
  • Best Choreography - Ann Reinking
  • Best Lighting Design - Ken Billington
Nominations
  • Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical - Marcia Lewis
  • Best Costume Design - William Ivery Long

1997 Laurence Olivier Award

  • Outstanding Musical Production
  • Best Actress in a Musical - Ute Lemper
Nominations
  • Best Actor in a Musical - Henry Goodman
  • Best Actress in a Musical - Ruthie Henshall
  • Best Director - Walter Bobbie
  • Best Theatre Choreographer - Ann Reinking
  • Best Costume Design - William Ivey Long

1979 Laurence Olivier Award

Nominations
  • Best New Musical
  • Best Actor In A Musical - Ben Cross
  • Best Actress In A Musical - Antonia Ellis

1976 Tony Awards

Nominations
  • Best Musical
  • Best Book Of A Musical - Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb
  • Best Original Score - John Kander and Fred Ebb
  • Best Performance By A Leading Actor In A Musical - Jerry Orbach
  • Best Performance By A Leading Actress In A Musical - Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon
  • Best Direction Of A Musical - Bob Fosse
  • Best Choreography - Bob Fosse
  • Best Scenic Design - Tony Walton
  • Best Costume Design - Patricia Zipprodt
  • Best Lighting Design - Jules Fisher

1976 Drama Desk Awards

  • Outstanding Lighting Design - Jules Fisher
Nominations
  • Outstanding Actor In A Musical - Jerry Orbach

1976 Grammy Awards

Nominations
  • Grammy Award For Best Cast Show Album

Reviews

Customer reviews

40 reviews, average rating: (2.9 Stars)

Joe

CAST WAS SUPERB!

I attended the Sunday April 15 2018 show at the Scranton cultural Center. In short, the cast and staging were wonderful. The SOUND left much to be desired. For a good 25- 30% of the show you could barely hear what the performers were singing. Whether it was an issue with the mixing or the on-stage orchestra was just too loud it marred an otherwise spectacular performance. I will say this was the first time sound was an issue for me at this venue. ... Read more

David Archuleta

Best performance yet !

I've seen this several times past. The orchestra on stage is a fantastic change. The tuba, bone ,sax- all of it sounded so much better. This was the best performance of all of them. Great job- a must see !! ... Read more

B. Smith

5.5 Stars! So many legs broken

This cast was amazing, from their timing, to their energy, to their enthusiasm. Nothing is more thrilling than watching talent at the highest levels do what they do better than most others - the detail of the performances were incredible. And, the band!!... beautiful renditions of jazz-on brass. To sum it up in the spirit of all considerations..."Roxy Hart, to love you and die at your hand is better than to have never loved you at all. Mary me Roxy Hart, Mary me!" :) ... Read more

News

Todrick Hall Is Your Billy Flynn!

Todrick Hall Is Your Billy Flynn!

News Desk, October 8th, 2018
YouTube and stage sensation, Todrick Hall is heading to Detroit to star as Billy Flynn in the national tour of Chicago. The actor portrayed the role on Broadway at the end of 2017 and will return to the role from October 16-20 ar the Fisher Theater. ...
Read more

Todrick Hall Is Your Billy Flynn!

Todrick Hall Is Your Billy Flynn!
News Desk, October 8th, 2018
YouTube and stage sensation, Todrick Hall is heading to Detroit to star as Billy Flynn in the national tour of Chicago. The actor portrayed the role on Broadway at the end of 2017 and will return to the role from October 16-20 ar the Fisher Theater. ...
Read more

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