The very first thing that is noticeable about Chicago
the musical is that this is not the Oscar Award winning 2002 film. Sure
it is similar to that, and features more or less the same exciting plot,
musical numbers and characters but if you really dig down and analyze it turns
out to be completely different. In my opinion the stage adaptation of the
blockbuster movie is an entirely different affair. Unlike the movie, all the
stage performers wear black and sometimes revealing costumes and majority of
the stage props consist of nothing but ladders and chairs. The highlight of the
musical is its brilliant Bob Fosse choreography which sets this production
apart from other musicals and contributes heavily to the overall feel of the
show, sometimes even surpassing the main plot. So the question whether you’ll
enjoy spending your money on this musical depends solely on whether you enjoy
choreographed routines or not. If you do, you’ll surely have an experience
unlike any other. The costumes feel authentic and the stage design is
breathtaking and accurately depicts an early 90’s Chicago. Music and lyrics
penned by Kander and Ebb are superb and on par with other smash hit musicals.
Storyline
The story is set in a 1920’s Chicago. Vaudevillian Velma
Kelly murders both her husband and sister after she finds them in bed together.
In the meantime chorus girl Roxie Hart murders her lover and is imprisoned at
the Cook County Jail, after her faithful husband Amos refuses to take the
blame. The prison already houses Velma Kelly and a corrupt matron “Mama” Morton
who does favors in exchange for favors. Velma is not pleased to see Roxie Hart
who continuously hits on her lawyer, the brilliant Billy Flynn. In her efforts to
get free Roxie uses every trick in the book to avoid a death penalty and get
back into the limelight where she thinks she truly belongs.
With its simple setting and storyline the lead performers
really needed to impress the audience with brilliant acting and dancing from
the moment they appear on stage, and they’ve done exactly that. Characters of
Velma, Roxie, Mama Matron and Billy Flynn have been performed magnificently and
immerse the audience in the storyline as soon as the curtains are lifted.
The ensemble cast carries the show brilliantly with
impressive vocals. Numbers such as “All That Jazz”, “We Both Reached for the
Gun”, and “Razzle Dazzle” are engaging and utterly scintillating.
Chicago the musical is an adult affair through and through.
Entertainment value of the show is top notch and production values are
unmatched. During its original run in 1996, the musical won pretty much all
major awards Broadway has to offer including a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding
Revival of a Musical and a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. It is
highly recommended to fans of Broadway that they watch this one at least once
and popular website TicketVistas can make it happen for them. You will exit the
hall singing tunes from the show. That’s a guarantee!
