Bob Fosse choreographed the original production, and his style is strongly identified with the show. After 25 years, CHICAGO is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing . Chicago a musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Here are some other fun facts. She hires Billy Flynn to help prove her innocence as well as make a name for herself. She has helped Velma become the medias top murder-of-the-week and is acting as a booking agent for Velmas big return to vaudeville. Site Map Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Accessibility. Velma, upstaged, tries unsuccessfully to persuade Roxie to partner with her in her song-and-dance act when they are released. Photos by Jeremy Daniel & Max Vadukul. State Theatre does not have its own parking area. The music itself is a take-off on piano novelties such as those popularized by Zez Confrey. In 1975, there was a Broadway production for this Chicago the Musical. Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at Last.fm. [79], In Per, the musical opened on June 16, 2012 starring Tati Alcntara, Denisse Dibs, and Marco Zunino at Teatro Municipal de Lima in Lima. She informs the audience of Roxies continual run of luck (I Know a Girl) despite Roxies obvious falsehoods (Me and My Baby). To Kill a Mockingbird (Touring) See all 80 Events. In 1975, Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb, and John Kander turned the play into a musical. Instrumental sections of "Loopin' the Loop" can still be heard in the Overture. [6], In the 1975 Original Broadway Production and its Playbill, there are a few contradicting song lists. Showstoppers include "Cell Block Tango," the immortal rundown of husbands who "had it coming"; the clever courtroom wordplay of "We Both Reached for the Gun"; and Queen . Ebb and Fosse penned the book of the musical, and Fosse also directed and choreographed. It also takes the record as the second longest running show in Broadway. We will be at 100% capacity with our staff masked and vaccinated. There have been professional productions of Chicago in Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Romania, South Korea, Portugal, Brazil, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Russia, Canada, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Scotland, Greece, Israel, South Africa, China, Australia, Singapore, Poland, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, as well as amateur productions in Croatia, Serbia, Spain, Hungary, New Zealand, Cyprus, Norway, India, Pakistan and Albania. View a list of musicals now playing in Chicago, IL. Chicago is a 1975 American musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Until 1977, there were 936 performances of Chicago the Musical held by Broadway. The beloved musical 'Wicked' first opened on June 10, 2003 in San Franciscoand it was just announced that it will be turned into a film, hitting theaters December 2021. [81], A French-language production of Chicago, based on the Broadway 1996 revival, opened on September 18, 2018 at Thtre Mogador in Paris with Sofia Essadi as Velma Kelly, Carien Keizer as Roxie Hart and Jean-Luc Guizone as Billy Flynn. Eagerly awaited by his all-woman clientele, Billy sings his anthem, complete with a chorus of fan dancers ("All I Care About"). Home About Cast & Creative Schedule News Store Tickets. Two police officers testified that they had seen a woman getting into the car and shortly thereafter heard gunshots. [63], There have been ten North American national tours of Chicago. Two death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer's attention. [45] Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, and Joel Grey returned for cameo appearances. The original Australian production opened at the Sydney Opera House's Drama Theatre in June 1981. All rights reserved. In 1997, it was performed in West End. The movie begins with a performance by vaudeville star Velma Kelly (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones), who has just killed her sister and her husband after having caught them in bed together. NEXT TWO WEEKS'. Roxie was always infatuated by fame, particularly the case of Velma Kelly, a woman on the same cellblock as herself, who is accused of double murder of her sister and lover (who were cheating on her). The production won the 1998 Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical, and Lemper was awarded Best Actress in a Musical. The block is presided over by Matron "Mama" Morton, whose system of taking bribes ("When You're Good to Mama") perfectly suits her clientele. There are a limited number of handicapped accessible spots located in front of the theater and metered street parking located around the theater. [5] The show was on the verge of closing, when it ran into another setback: Gwen Verdon inhaled a feather during the finale, which resulted in a throat infection. A tribute to Manhattan Serenade. It is the 9th longest-Broadway show, surpassing Beauty and the Beast. Facts about Chicago the Musical 2: Broadway production. camera trainee The original finale was Loopin the Loop, and based on music submitted to Kander and Ebb by Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera. By Tre Ward and Maher Kawas [58], To celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the West End revival production, Chicago returned, this time at the Phoenix Theatre opening April 11, 2018, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. as Billy Flynn, Sarah Soetaert as Roxie Hart, Josefina Gabrielle as Velma Kelly, and Ruthie Henshall as Mama Morton. Miramax. The original finale was "Loopin' the Loop", a doubles act with Verdon and Rivera; however, "the scene seemed too much like an amateur act so Fosse asked for something more 'glamorous in pretty gowns'". Chicago surpassed Cats on November 23, 2014, when it played its 7,486th performance. Capek . The box office is open Monday Saturday 10am8:30pm, Sunday 12pm7:30pm, at The Ambassador Theatre, 219 West 49th Street (between Broadway and 8th Ave). "'Chicago' sizzles across the country and beyond". Bobby will love that.' Thank you for helping ensure we are all able to gather safely to enjoy the transformative POWER OF LIVE PERFORMANCES. Dillard, Sandra C. "ALL JAZZED UP Robert Urich is keen on dancing in 'Chicago'". He also served as the evening's M.C. The fact that the film was the first musical to win the Oscar for Best Picture (2002) since Oliver in 1969 proves that it was a certified hit. Plot Summary based on that of Bill Rosenfield, copyright 1997 BMG Music. [1] The musical numbers are listed below with a description of these antecedents where applicable: All That Jazz a number in homage to famous speakeasy owner Texas Guinan[1] (Velma), Funny Honey modeled on Helen Morgan and Judy Garlands performances (Roxie with Amos and Det. She teams up with Velma in a new act, in which they dance and perform the Hot Honey Rag until they are joined by the entire company for the grand Finale.[3]. Chicago - The Musical Tickets 2/19. It is some times suggested that he has affairs with his clients. The former Mary Sunshine, revealed during the trial actually to be a man in drag, takes his natural male form as a pushy vaudeville promoter, shaping Roxie and Velma's dance ("Hot Honey Rag") to make it as sexy as possible. Roxie convinces her husband Amos that the victim was a burglar, and Amos cheerfully takes the blame. [27] Elizabeth Seal later replaced Ellis as Roxie Hart.[28][29]. Chicago Original Broadway The series had been previously used exclusively to bring attention to older, more obscure musicals that might have otherwise have been forgotten. Amos tries to get Roxie to come home and forget the ordeal, but she is more concerned with the end of her brief run of fame and admits she isn't pregnant, at which point a fed up Amos leaves her. Rocco Landesman said that he and Fran and Barry Weissler wanted to bring the production to the Martin Beck Theater this summer."[37]. Best Leading Actor in a MusicalJerry Orbach (Nominee), Best Leading Actress in a MusicalChita Rivera, Gwen Verdon (Nominees), Best Direction of a MusicalBob Fosse (Nominee), Best Book of a MusicalBob Fosse and Fred Ebb (Nominee), Best Original ScoreFred Ebb, John Kander (Nominee), Best Scenic DesignTony Walton (Nominee), Best Costume DesignPatricia Zipprodt (Nominee), Best Lighting DesignJules Fisher (Nominee), Outstanding Actor in a MusicalJerry Orbach (Nominee), Outstanding Lighting DesignJules Fisher (Won), Best Actress in a Musical Antonia Ellis (Nominee), Best Actor in a Musical Ben Cross (Nominee), Best Leading Actor in a MusicalJames Naughton (Won), Best Leading Actress in a MusicalBebe Neuwirth (Won), Best Featured Actress in a MusicalMarcia Lewis (Nominee), Best Direction of a MusicalWalter Bobbie (Won), Best Lighting DesignKen Billington (Won), Best Costume DesignWilliam Ivey Long (Nominee), Outstanding Actress in a MusicalBebe Neuwirth (Won), Outstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalJoel Grey (Won), Outstanding Direction of a MusicalWalter Bobbie (Won), Outstanding ChoreographyAnn Reinking (Won), Best Actor in a MusicalHenry Goodman (Nominee), Best Actress in a MusicalUte Lemper (Won), Best Actress in a MusicalRuthie Henshall (Nominee), Best Theatre ChoreographyAnn Reinking (Nominee). Chicago The Musical (1996 Broadway Revival Cast) The theme of this musical was based on the crimes and criminals reported by Maurine Dallas Watkins. Chicago can still seem glibly cynical and artificially cold, especially in its weaker second act. She is sent to the women's block in the Cook County Jail, where several women accused of killing their lovers are held ("Cell Block Tango"); among the inmates is Velma Kelly, revealing herself to have been involved in the death of her husband and sister after she caught them having sex, though she denies committing the act on account of blacking out from the sight. Roxie convinces her husband Amos that the victim was a burglar, and Amos agrees to take the blame. ", Amra-Faye Wright Returns to Broadway's Chicago Feb. 2; Marco Zunino, Bianca Marroquin Extend Runs, "Chicago, Saturday Night Fever and Waitress all announced for Sydney - News", "Chicago review (Capitol Theatre, Sydney)", "King's Theatre in Glasgow opens for Chicago after being closed for 500 days due to Covid", Ryoko Yonekura kicks off musical 'Chicago', "Ellos protagonizarn el musical "Chicago" en Lima", "Conozca a las estrellas de 'Chicago', el musical que se estrenar en Costa Rica", "Compte-rendu: Dans Les coulisses de "Chicago Le musical" Mogador", "Australian cast recordings | Straight To The Point", Plot summary, character descriptions & licensing info for Chicago, Gernimo Rauch-Mary Sunshine in Chicago (Spain), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chicago_(musical)&oldid=1138959858. These cases were tried against a backdrop of changing views of women in the jazz age, and a long string of acquittals by Cook County juries of female murderers (juries at the time were all male, and convicted murderers generally faced death by hanging). She wrote this play with the same name. [55] The original cast of the production included German jazz singer Ute Lemper as Velma, British actress Ruthie Henshall as Roxie Hart, Nigel Planer as Amos Hart, and Henry Goodman as Billy Flynn. [66][67] The next tour started in October 2000 in Stamford, Connecticut, with Robert Urich. Stub.com is sure to have the best prices for Chicago - The Musical tickets anywhere. 10 Chicago musical Logos ranked in order of popularity and relevancy. Based on the real-life murder trials of Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner, Chicago tells the story of two women who were accused of murder in 1924 in one of the first sensationalized media stories in history.Although the musical premiered on Broadway in 19725, the 2002 film adaptation made it even more popular with audiences, even winning the Oscar for Best Picture. In the case of inclement weather, refunds will be awarded only if the show is cancelled. Chicago listing thisistheatre.com, accessed May 27, 2009, 12. [10][11] The show ran at the Adelphi Theatre for 9 years until transferring to the Cambridge Theatre in April 2006. Unlike the original production, the revival was met with praise from critics. Chicago, American musical film, released in 2002, that was based on Bob Fosse's 1975 Broadway play, with songs by John Kander and Fred Ebb. The casts in the movie were Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rene Zellweger, John C. Reilly, Richard Gere and Queen Latifah. Lawyers William Scott Stewart and W. W. OBrien were models for a composite character in Chicago, Billy Flynn. Chicago - The Musical. The story presented the satire on the corruption when administering the criminal justice. Jesus Christ Superstar (Touring) See all 43 Events. Grubb, Kevin Boyd (1989). Separately, Roxie and Velma realize there is no one they can count on but themselves ("My Own Best Friend"), and Roxie decides that being pregnant in prison would put her back on the front page. Ann Reinking, who would go on to star in the highly successful 1996 revival[21] and choreograph that production in the style of Bob Fosse, was also a cast replacement for Roxie Hart during the show's original run. The piece was cut and replaced with "Nowadays". Produced by Stage Entertainment, the cast included Natalia Milln as Velma Kelly, Marcela Paoli as Roxie Hart, Manuel Bandera as Billy Flynn, Fedor de Pablos as Amos Hart, Linda Mirabal as Mama Morton and Gernimo Rauch as Mary Sunshine. It was decided that the piece was too lighthearted, so the piece was cut and replaced with Nowadays. Her run lasted a month, and Gwen Verdon recuperated and returned to the show. At LogoLynx.com find thousands of logos categorized into thousands of categories. Au-Rene Theater at Broward Ctr For The Perf Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL. If a show is cancelled, a refund will be issued to the original payment type used to purchase the ticket. It is the second longest-running show ever to run on Broadway, behind only The Phantom of the Opera. Cecil B. DeMille produced a silent film version, Chicago (1927), starring former Mack Sennett bathing beauty Phyllis Haver as Roxie Hart. Chita Rivera joined the tour for several weeks. The revival was followed by a production on Londons West End theatre and several tours and international productions. Broadway's longest-running American musical, Chicago is a dazzling and satirical look at fame, justice, and the media machine. As we celebrate our 26th anniversary youve got to come see why the name on everyones lips is stillCHICAGO. She retired Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Best Price SoundTracks Do you like reading facts about Chicago the Musical? According to James Leve, "Chicago is cynical and subversive, exploiting American cultural mythologies in order to attack American celebrity culture. This format made explicit the show's comparison between "justice", "show-business", and contemporary society. The musicals Broadway revival, beginning in 1996, was a smash hit and far more successful than the 1975 version. The soundtrack sold millions of copies worldwide, and the stage show flourish because of its success. CHICAGO The smash-hit musical "Hamilton" is coming back to Chicago after three years. 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