Chicago - The Musical
The musical, considered too dark when it failed in 1975, today seems right in keeping with hard-learned cynicism about the American justice system.
Variety
Why see Chicago - The Musical?
All That Jazz & More
An intoxicating mix of murder, sex, and razzle-dazzle, Chicago is Broadway at its most iconic. An ever-relevant satire of celebrity culture, it's the tale of two beautiful criminals in the Roaring Twenties who plan to get away with murder by putting on one hell of a show. Known for its sensual Bob Fosse choreography, lacy costumes and finger-clicking score, it is not only Broadway's longest-running American musical; but one of its very best.
Debuting on Broadway in 1975, Chicago was initially overshadowed by the year's other big musical, A Chorus Line, but is now firmly established as one of the Great White Way's most instantly recognizable shows, cemented by 2002's Oscar-winning movie adaptation in 2002, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, and Richard Gere.
What Is The Story?
It is Prohibition Era in Chicago and vaudeville performer Velma Kelly is stuck behind bars in the Cook County Jail, awaiting trial for murdering her cheating husband and sister. Fortunately, she has Billy Flynn on her defense team, a famed lawyer with a perfect track record, and a master at manipulating public opinion in favor of his clients. Everything is looking rosy until Roxie Hart turns up. Accused of killing her lover, Roxie is a fame-hungry wannabe, who immediately sets about stealing both Velma's limelight and her lawyer.
Each battling for their 15 minutes of fame, the women go head to head in the race to become Chicago's most notorious criminal and escape the rope.
Did You Know?
Chicago is inspired by the true story of Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner, two women who were tried for murder, and acquitted, in Chicago in 1924. Maurice Dallas Watkins, a journalist for the Chicago Tribune, covered their sensational trials and later turned their stories into the play upon which the musical is based.
Key Information
Audience
Run Time
Dates
Upcoming Performances
Cast
Alyssa Milano as Roxie Hart
Kimberly Marable as Velma Kelly
Natasha Yvette Williams as Mama Morton
Max von Essen as Billy Flynn
Sebastián Yatra as Billy Flynn from November 25 until December 22, 2024
Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart
R.Lowe as Mary Sunshine
With
Eddie Bennett, Jennier Dunne, Jeff Gorti, Jaquez, Arian Keddell, Mary Claire King, Marty Lawson, Joseph London, Barrett Martin, Sharon Moore, Drew Nellessen, Celina Nightengale, Kristen Faith Oei, Denny Paschall, Jermaine R. Rembert, Mikayla Renfrow, Rachel Schur and Michael Scirrotto
Creative
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse
Directed by Walter Bobbie
Produced by Alecia Parker
Choreographed by Ann Reinking, in the style of Bob Fosse
Scenic Design by John Lee Beatty
Costume Design by William Ivey Long
Lighting Design by Ken Billington
Sound Design: Scott Lehrer
Orchestrations: Ralph Burns
Script Adaptation: David Thompson
Dance Music Arrangements: Peter Howard
Awards
1976 TONY AWARDS
Nominated
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 AWARD
Winner
Outstanding Lighting Design (Jules Fisher)Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Jerry Obrach)
1976 GRAMMY AWARD
Nominated
Best Cast Show Album
1997 TONY AWARDS
Winner
Best Musical Revival
Best Director (Walter Bobbie)
Best Choreographer (Ann Reinking)
Best Actress (Bebe Neuwirth)
Best Actor (James Naughton)
Best Lighting Design (Ken Billington)
Nominated
Best Performance by a Feautred Actress in a Musical (Marcia Lewis)
Best Costume Design (William Ivey Long)
1998 GRAMMY AWARD
Winner
Best Musical Show Album (RCA Victor-Produced by Jay David Saks)
1997 DRAMA DESK AWARDS
Winner
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Walter Bobbie)
Outstanding Choreography (Ann Reinking)
Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Bebe Neuwirth)
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Joel Grey)
Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Musical (James Naughton)
Oustanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Marcia Lewis)
THE NEW YORK DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD
A special award to the cast and creative team of CHICAGO for distinguished contribution to the Broadway season.
THE OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Outstanding Director of a Musical (Walter Bobbie)
Outstanding Choreography (Ann Reinking)
Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Bebe Neuwirth)
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Joel Grey)
DRAMA LEAGUE AWARD
Distinguished Performance Award to Bebe Neuwirth
Reviews
Customer reviews
Vickie Seabon
Sexy, Energetic, Entertaining
Wayne and Donna Mazurek
Chicago
Anonymous
Rumer Willis blew me away