Chicago The Musical

Prepare to be “razzle-dazzled” in October as the Tony Award-winning musical CHICAGO returns to the Auditorium stage. Set in Prohibition-era Chicago, this tale of murderous greed and showbiz satirizes corruption in the justice system and the celebrity status given to notorious criminals. Vaudeville starlet Velma Kelly and spotlight-thirsty Roxanne “Roxie” Hart find themselves in Cook County Jail after they kill their respective lovers. Their burlesque performances, however, do not end under lock and key; in fact, they have only begun as the two tenacious murderesses go head to head to win over Billy Flynn, a lawyer with a perfect track record who makes celebrities of his clients to sway public opinion and win sympathy. The vivacious characters are in for the trials of their lives as they struggle to gain fame and escape death row. The original Broadway version of Chicago was based on Maurine Dallas Watkins’ 1926 play about criminals, and it debuted as a musical in 1975, running for nearly 1,000 performances. Under the direction of John Kander, Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse, and Walter Bobbie, Chicago was revived in 1996 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City for a sizzling and sensuous production that has become Broadway’s longest-running musical revival. In 2002, the musical was made into an Academy Award-winning film starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, Queen Latifah, and Richard Gere. The hit movie captured the themes of celebrity, scandal, corruption, and revenge that appear relentlessly throughout the musical. From Mexico City to Moscow, Chicago’s electrifying choreography and sensational musical score, including songs such as “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” and “We Both Reached for the Gun,” have amazed audiences worldwide. The six Tony Awards—including Best Revival of a Musical—two Olivier Awards, and one Drama Desk Award emphasize the immense success of this hypnotic and illustrious musical. The New York Times wrote, “This production isn’t smoke and mirrors. It’s flesh and blood shaped by discipline and artistry into a parade of vital, pulsing talent. If there’s any justice in the world (and Chicago insists that there isn’t), audiences will be exulting in that parade for many, many performances to come.” Prepare for a night of shocking and opulent entertainment as the characters win your heart—against your better judgment—through an unforgettable performance.