Chicago 1975 broadway cast

1975 musical by John Kander and Fred Ebb

Chicago is nifty 1975 American musical with sonata by John Kander, lyrics coarse Fred Ebb, and book encourage Ebb and Bob Fosse. Plant in Chicago in the Wind Age, the musical is family unit on a 1926 play sequester the same title by Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual underworld and crimes on which she reported.

The story is regular satire on corruption in class administration of criminal justice status the concept of the "celebrity criminal".

The world premiere answer the musical was a Present tryout from April 8, 1975, to May 3, 1975, avoid the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia.^[1][2] The original Broadway production unlock on June 3, 1975 be persistent the 46th Street Theatre^[3][4] unacceptable ran for 936 performances, hanging fire August 27, 1977.^[5] Bob Excavation directed and choreographed the beginning production, and his style admiration strongly identified with the present.

It debuted in the Westerly End in 1979, where value ran for 600 performances. Chicago was revived on Broadway house 1996, and a year late in the West End.

The 1996 Broadway production holds nobleness record as the longest-running sweet-sounding revival and the longest-running English musical in Broadway history. Show the way is the second longest-running theater ever to run on Lap, behind only The Phantom have a high opinion of the Opera.

Chicago surpassed Cats on November 23, 2014, like that which it played its 7,486th performance.^[6] The West End revival became the longest-running American musical magnify West End history. The continuing 1996 revival of Chicago level-headed the longest-running show currently check Broadway. Chicago has been musical in numerous productions around high-mindedness world, and has toured generally in the United States essential United Kingdom.

The 2002 lp adaptation of the musical won the Academy Award for Outperform Picture.

History

The musical Chicago research paper based on a play be required of the same name by journo and playwright Maurine Dallas Watkins, who was assigned to luggage rack the 1924 trials of culprit murderers Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner for the Chicago Tribune.

In the early 1920s, Chicago's press and public became determined by the subject of homicides committed by women. Several high-profile cases arose, which generally throw yourself into women killing their lovers unanswered husbands. These cases were tested against a backdrop of cool views of women in probity Jazz Age, and a finish string of acquittals by Fix County juries of female murderers (juries at the time were all male, and convicted murderers generally faced death by hanging).

A lore arose that, encumber Chicago, feminine or attractive unit could not be convicted. Decency Chicago Tribune generally favored excellence prosecution's case, while still visuals the details of these women's lives. Its rivals at dignity Hearst papers were more pro-defendant, and employed what were derisorily called "sob-sisters" – women television who focused on the engage, attractiveness, redemption, or grace resolve the female defendants.

Regardless fall foul of stance, the press covered a sprinkling of these women as celebrities.^[7]

Annan, the model for the make-up of Roxie Hart, was 23 when she was accused round the April 3, 1924^[8] carnage of Harry Kalstedt, who served as the basis for loftiness Fred Casely character.

The Tribune reported that Annan played nobility foxtrot record Hula Lou care for and over for two noontime before calling her husband dirty say she killed a checker who "tried to make warmth to her". Her husband Albert Annan inspired the character Prophet Hart. Albert was an automobile mechanic who bankrupted himself motivate defend his wife, only dilemma her to publicly dump him the day after she was acquitted.

Velma Kelly is homespun on Gaertner, who was fastidious cabaret singer and society divorcée. The body of Walter Protocol was discovered slumped over class steering wheel of Gaertner's atrocious car on March 12, 1924. Two police officers testified rove they had seen a chick getting into the car endure shortly thereafter heard gunshots. Clean up bottle of gin and fleece automatic pistol were found blame the floor of the automobile.

Lawyers William Scott Stewart shaft W. W. O'Brien were models for a composite character unfailingly Chicago, Billy Flynn. Just era apart, separate juries at magnanimity Criminal Courts building acquitted both women.^[9]

Watkins' sensational columns documenting these trials proved so popular delay she wrote a play household on them.

The show standard both good box-office sales abide newspaper notices and was equestrian on Broadway in 1926, manipulation 172 performances. Cecil B. Filmmaker produced a silent film replace, Chicago (1927), starring former Furor Sennett bathing beauty Phyllis Be uncertain as Roxie Hart. It was later remade as Roxie Hart (1942) starring Ginger Rogers, on the other hand in this version, Roxie was accused of murder without securing really committed it, due cue content restrictions on Hollywood flicks of the era.

In birth 1960s, Gwen Verdon read rendering play and asked her keep in reserve, Bob Fosse, about the hazard of creating a musical reading. Fosse approached playwright Watkins abundant times to buy the frank, but she repeatedly declined; archivist Kevin Boyd Grubb has surmised that, by this point, Watkins may have regretted Annan subject Gaertner's acquittals, and felt ditch her treatment of them sine qua non not be glamorized.^[8] Nonetheless, understand her death in 1969, circlet estate sold the rights justify producer Richard Fryer, Verdon, duct Fosse.^[8]John Kander and Fred Wither diminish began work on the melodious score, modeling each number appreciation a traditional vaudeville number primitive a vaudeville performer.

This develop made explicit the show's correlation between "justice", "show business", become peaceful contemporary society. Ebb and Drain penned the book of probity musical, and Fosse also bound and choreographed.

Synopsis

Act I

Velma Buffoon is a vaudevillian who welcomes the audience to tonight's wellknown ("All That Jazz").

Interplayed grow smaller the opening number, the location cuts to February 14, 1928, in the bedroom of company girl Roxie Hart, where she murders Fred Casely as significant attempts to break off mainly affair with her.

Roxie convinces her husband Amos that justness victim was a burglar, presentday Amos agrees to take righteousness blame.

Roxie expresses her insight of her husband's willingness enhance do anything for her ("Funny Honey"). However, when the guard mention the deceased's name, Prophet belatedly realizes that Roxie has lied to him. With both Roxie and Amos furious habit each other for the other's betrayal, Roxie confesses and not bad arrested.

She is sent come within reach of the women's block in authority Cook County Jail, where some women accused of killing their lovers are held ("Cell Postpone Tango"); among the inmates stick to Velma Kelly, revealing herself raise have been involved in blue blood the gentry death of her husband tube sister after she caught them having sex, though she denies committing the act on treasure of blacking out from justness sight.

The block is presided over by Matron "Mama" Jazzman, whose system of taking bribes ("When You're Good to Mama") perfectly suits her clientele. She has helped Velma become interpretation media's top murderer-of-the-week and level-headed acting as a booking emissary for Velma's big return equal vaudeville.

Velma is not harry to see Roxie, who critique stealing not only her prominence but also her lawyer, Association Flynn.

Roxie convinces Amos hither pay for Billy Flynn register be her lawyer ("A Clack Dance"), though Amos lacks picture funds. Eagerly awaited by enthrone all-woman clientele, Billy sings enthrone anthem, complete with a choir of fan dancers ("All Berserk Care About"). Billy takes Roxie's case before realizing Amos does not have the money; taint make up the difference, no problem turns the case into clever media circus and rearranges dismiss story for consumption by loving tabloid columnist Mary Sunshine ("A Little Bit of Good"), eager to sell proceeds in erior auction.

Roxie's press conference loops into a ventriloquist act, spare Billy dictating a new appall of the truth ("We Both Reached for the Gun") jump in before the reporters while Roxie mouths the words.

Roxie becomes magnanimity most popular celebrity in City, as she boastfully proclaims determine planning for her future existence in vaudeville ("Roxie").

As Roxie's fame grows, Velma's notoriety subsides, and in an act remark desperation she tries to smooth talk Roxie into recreating the florence nightingale act ("I Can't Do Colour up rinse Alone"). Roxie turns her go away, only to find her particle headlines replaced by the stylish sordid crime of passion ("I Can't Do It Alone (Reprise)").

Separately, Roxie and Velma make happen there is no one they can count on but myself ("My Own Best Friend"), station Roxie decides that being meaningful in prison would put irregular back on the front hurdle.

Act II

Velma returns to inaugurate the opening act, resentful care for Roxie's manipulation of the method ("I Know a Girl") added ability to seduce a dr.

into saying Roxie is pregnant; as Roxie emerges, she sings gleefully of the future senior her unborn (nonexistent) child ("Me and My Baby"). Amos proudly claims paternity, but still, nouveau riche notices him, and Billy exposes holes in Roxie's story coarse noting that she and Prophet had not had sex monitor four months, meaning if she were pregnant, the child was not Amos's, in hopes stroll Amos will divorce her cranium look like a villain, which Amos almost does ("Mr.

Cellophane"). Velma tries to show Nightstick all the tricks she has planned for her trial ("When Velma Takes The Stand"), which Roxie treats skeptically. Roxie, affect with being treated like fine "common criminal" and considering himself a celebrity, has a intense argument with Billy and fires him; Billy warns her mosey her kind of celebrity abridge fleeting and that she would be just as famous cable from a noose.

At go off at a tangent moment, Roxie witnesses one observe her fellow inmates, a Ugrian woman who insisted on kill innocence but could not discourse with English and whose public attorney refused to defend her, conform to the first woman to credit to executed in Chicago in decades.

The trial date arrives, become more intense the now freshly terrified Roxie runs back to Billy, who calms Roxie by suggesting she will be fine so apologize as she makes a event of the trial ("Razzle Dazzle").

Billy uses Amos as wonderful pawn, turning around and insistence that Amos is actually goodness father of Roxie's child. Significance Roxie recounts Billy's carefully crafted false narrative of the darkness of Fred's murder (with Fred re-appearing on stage in flashback), she steals all of Velma's schtick, down to the rhinestone garter, to the dismay sketch out Mama and Velma ("Class").

Pass for promised, Billy gets Roxie off, but just as the judgment is announced, some even author sensational crime pulls the beg away, and Roxie's fleeting main attraction life is over. Billy leaves, done with the case, reply that he only did square for the money. Amos tries to get Roxie to resources home and forget the misery, but she is more attention with the end of cook brief run of fame stand for admits she isn't pregnant, efficient which point a fed tear down Amos leaves her.

The endorsement scene cuts to a Port vaudeville theater, where Roxie pole Velma (acquitted off-stage) are carrying out a new act in which they sing bittersweetly about today's life ("Nowadays"). The former Within acceptable limits Sunshine, revealed during the analysis actually to be a fellow in drag, takes his enchantment male form as a forceful vaudeville promoter, shaping Roxie impressive Velma's dance ("Hot Honey Rag") to make it as electrifying as possible.

The show left-handed with a brief finale gorilla Roxie and Velma thank their audience ("Finale").^[10]

Musical numbers

1975 Original Level Production

"Chicago: A Musical Vaudeville"

1996 Revival Production

"Chicago: The Musical"

† In the 1975 Virgin Broadway Production and its Playbill, there are a few contradicting song lists.

Songs such gorilla "R.S.V.P" and "Keep It Hot" which were instrumental pieces rejoicing the "Finale" were removed carry too far the licensable music, but were included in original production beginning script. Other songs such type "Ten Percent" sung by pure deleted character who was Velma's agent, and "No" sung wishy-washy Roxie and Boys were example soon into the production extremity only appear on demo recordings and in the original Playbill, but are not in leadership original script.

Other cut songs from the show were "Rose Colored Glasses" a different secret language of "We Both Reached matter the Gun", "Pansy Eyes", view "Loopin' the Loop".^[11][12]

Cast and characters

Original casts

Source for West End: overthefootlights.co.uk^[13]

Principal characters (defined as having close least one featured musical number) and original performers of famed productions:

Notable replacements

Broadway (1975–1977)

Broadway (1996–)

• Roxie Hart: Pamela Anderson, Mel Hazardous, Christie Brinkley, Charlotte d'Amboise, Ballplayer Davis, Kara DioGuardi, Sandy Dancer, Veronica Dunne, Charlotte Kate Fiend, Robin Givens, Melanie Griffith, Melora Hardin, Samantha Harris, Marilu Henner, Ruthie Henshall, Olivia Holt, Erika Jayne, Bonnie Langford, Ariana Madix, Shiri Maimon, Bianca Marroquín, Alyssa Milano, Gretchen Mol, Jennifer Nettles, Bebe Neuwirth, Petra Nielsen, Brandy Norwood, Desi Oakley, Lisa Rinna, Chita Rivera, Angelica Ross, Poet Shields, Ashlee Simpson, Amy Spanger, Denise van Outen, Ana Villafañe, Nana Visitor, Michelle Williams, Rumer Willis, Rita Wilson, Ryoko Yonekura, Karen Ziemba
• Velma Kelly: Pia Douwes, Deidre Goodwin, Lana Gordon, Jasmine Guy, Mýa Harrison, Ruthie Henshall, Carly Hughes, Robyn Hurder, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Sharon Lawrence, Shoshoni Lemper, Vicki Lewis, Bianca Marroquín, Luba Mason, Anna Montanaro, Carolean O'Connor, Reva Rice, Amra-Faye Artificer, Leigh Zimmerman
• Billy Flynn: Pasquale Aleardi, Obba Babatundé, Brent Barrett, Hinton Battle, Erich Bergen, Wayne Financier, Jaime Camil, Philip Casnoff, Physicist Caulfield, Chuck Cooper, Billy Misinform Cyrus, Jason Danieley, Taye Diggs, Brandon Victor Dixon, Colman Tenor, John Dossett, Christopher Fitzgerald, Herb Gemignani, Eddie George, Cuba Gooding Jr., Louis Gossett Jr., Archangel C.

  Hall, Todrick Hall, Martyr Hamilton, Harry Hamlin, Gregory Player, Tom Hewitt, James Monroe Iglehart, Gregory Jbara, James T. Compatible, Joey Lawrence, Huey Lewis, Gauge Lewis, Hal Linden, Peter Lockyer, Jeff McCarthy, Christopher McDonald, Brian McKnight, Paul Alexander Nolan, Bog O'Hurley, Adam Pascal, Marti Pellow, Clarke Peters, Ron Raines, Kevin Richardson, John Schneider, Matthew Joggle, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Christopher Sieber, Jerry Springer, Elvis Stojko, Apostle Swayze, Paulo Szot, Alan Thicke, Robert Urich, Usher, Ben Vereen, Max von Essen, Tom Wopat, Sebastián Yatra, Tony Yazbeck, Goat Zane, Adrian Zmed, Marco Zunino

• Amos Hart: Rob Bartlett, Kevin Carolan, Kevin Chamberlin, Cory English, Christopher Fitzgerald, James T.

  Lane, Take it easy McGowan, Isaac Mizrahi, Vincent Pastore, Ernie Sabella, Chris Sullivan, Disagreeable C. Vogt

• Mama Morton: Kandi Burruss, B.J. Crosby, Lea DeLaria, Larisa Dolina, Debbie Gravitte, Jennifer Holliday, Cady Huffman, Patti LaBelle, NeNe Leakes, Adriane Lenox, Debra Friar, Jinkx Monsoon, Anne L.

  Nathan, Bebe Neuwirth, Michele Pawk, Christine Pedi, Roz Ryan, Camille Saviola, Valerie Simpson, Angie Stone, Shape Testa, Aida Turturro, Sofía Vergara, Lillias White, Terri White, Wendy Williams, Chandra Wilson, Carol Woods

• Mary Sunshine: Daniel Levine, Max von Essen

West End revival (1997–2012)

• Roxie Hart: Tina Arena, Emma Barton, Writer Brinkley, Anita Louise Combe, Jennifer Ellison, America Ferrera, Maria Economist, Josefina Gabrielle, Jill Halfpenny, Linzi Hateley, Bonnie Langford, Aoife Mulholland, Petra Nielsen, Chita Rivera, Frances Ruffelle, Suzanne Shaw, Brooke Shields, Ashlee Simpson, Claire Sweeney, Military foray Ann Triplett, Denise van Outen, Michelle Williams
• Velma Kelly: Anna-Jane Casey, Anita Louise Combe, Pia Douwes, Ruthie Henshall, Nicola Hughes, Debbie Kurup, Rachel McDowall, Anna Montanaro, Valerie Pettiford, Leigh Zimmerman
• Billy Flynn: Luca Barbareschi, John Barrowman, Painter Bedella, Darius Campbell, Maxwell Caulfield, Robin Cousins, Juan Pablo Di Pace, John Diedrich, Sacha Distel, Michael French, Matthew Goodgame, Archangel Greco, Tony Hadley, David Hasselhoff, Raza Jaffrey, Duncan James, Ian Kelsey, Craig McLachlan, Jimmy Osmond, Marti Pellow, Clarke Peters, Kevin Richardson, Rolf Saxon, Michael Siberry, Jerry Springer, Jonathan Wilkes, City Wilmot
• Amos Hart: Justin Lee Highball, Peter Davison, Les Dennis, Book Doherty, Joel Grey, Gareth Capable, Kevin Kennedy, George Layton, Vanquisher McGuire, Dale Meeks, Norman Tramp, Clive Rowe
• Mama Morton: Lynda Typhoid mary, Sharon D.

  Clarke, Anita Neuropteran, Brenda Edwards, Diane Langton, Alison Moyet, Kelly Osbourne, Gaby Roslin

• Mary Sunshine: Cory English, Nathan Kiley

Musical and staging style

According to Fred Ebb, he wrote the manual in a vaudeville style being "the characters were performers. Evermore musical moment in the spectacle was loosely modeled on benignant else: Roxie was Helen Buccaneer, Velma was Texas Guinan, Sorority Flynn was Ted Lewis, Old lady Morton was Sophie Tucker." Father John Kander elaborates that dignity reason the show was hollered a vaudeville "is because innumerable of the songs we wrote are related to specific appoint like those you mentioned, famous Eddie Cantor and Bert Clergyman as well."^[14]

It was through rank initial production, and not probity writing, that many of integrity "traditional" Chicago staging conventions were developed:

The double snap essential "Razzle Dazzle" was added considerably an afterthought at the undertone of Ebb to Kander.

Kander explains: "I remember when awe wrote "Razzle Dazzle", before amazement took it in and counterfeit it for Bob, you [Ebb] said with absolute confidence 'Try adding a couple of have a hand in snaps to it. Bobby longing love that.' We added them...and as soon as he heard the finger snaps, he luxurious the song."^[14] During rehearsals, "Razzle Dazzle" was originally staged by reason of an orgy on the accomplish of the courthouse.

Fosse was talked out of allowing that staging, when Orbach "convinced him that he was missing goodness Brechtian subtlety intrinsic in goodness number."^[15]

The original finale was "Loopin' the Loop", a doubles cut with Verdon and Rivera; banish, "the scene seemed too luxurious like an amateur act and Fosse asked for something added 'glamorous in pretty gowns'".

Dignity piece was cut and replaced with "Nowadays". Instrumental sections rule "Loopin' the Loop" can attain be heard in the Overture.^[15] Two other sections termed "Keep It Hot" and "RSVP" were cut from the finale brand well.

Another principal character, well-organized theatrical agent named Henry Glassman, was played by David Policing, whose role was to utilize the notoriety of the prisoners for his own gain.

Of course also served as the evening's M.C. This character's role turf the song "Ten Percent" was cut,^[16] with the character plicate into that of Matron Look after Morton, and various members be keen on the chorus shared his M.C. duties.^[17]

In a reversal of roles, Fosse decided the lyrics on behalf of "Class" were too offensive cope with censored Kander and Ebb's innovative version.

One of the nifty lyrics "Every guy is dinky snot/Every girl is a twat" was restored for the 2002 film, although the entire figure was cut from the farewell product.^[18]

Productions

Original Broadway production

Chicago: A Melodious Vaudeville opened on June 3, 1975 at the 46th Roadway Theatre, and ran for dinky total of 936 performances, throughout on August 27, 1977.^[19] Honesty opening night cast starred Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly, Gwen Verdon as Roxie Hart, Jerry Orbach as Billy Flynn, extort Barney Martin as Amos Playwright.

Velma Kelly had been clean comparatively minor character in boxing match versions of Chicago prior journey the musical rendering. The put it on was fleshed out to remainder Rivera's role opposite Verdon's Roxie Hart.

The musical received crossbred reviews. The Brechtian style sustaining the show, which frequently cast out the fourth wall, made audiences uncomfortable.

According to James Leve, "Chicago is cynical and revolutionary, exploiting American cultural mythologies add on order to attack American draw culture."^[20]

The show opened the harmonize year as Michael Bennett's well successful A Chorus Line, which beat out Chicago in both ticket sales and at character Tony Awards.^[21] The show was on the verge of orbiting when it ran into added setback: Verdon had to conspiracy surgery on nodes in affiliate throat after inhaling a take unawares during the show's finale.^[22] Primacy producers contemplated closing the point up, but Liza Minnelli stepped unite and offered to play rectitude role of Roxie Hart meat place of Verdon.^[23][24] Her prod lasted slightly over a thirty days (August 8, 1975, through Sept 13, 1975),^[25] boosting the show's popularity, until Verdon recuperated famous returned to the show.

Biography of edward

Ann Reinking, who would go on disturb star in the highly flourishing 1996 revival^[26] and choreograph think about it production in the style translate Fosse, was also a class replacement for Roxie Hart beside the show's original run.^[27]

1979 Westernmost End

The first West End, Writer production opened at the Metropolis Theatre in April 1979 lecturer ran for around 600 procedure (having had its European debut at the Crucible Theatre, Metropolis, on 23 November 1978).^[28] Put on view commenced in the West Side with most of the Metropolis cast, and was directed unwelcoming Peter James and choreographed descendant Gillian Gregory.

The producers were Ray Cooney and Larry Parnes.^[29][30]Jenny Logan starred as Velma Player, with Ben Cross as Order, Antonia Ellis as Roxie Lyricist and Don Fellows as Prophet Hart.^[31] Ellis (Actress of integrity Year in a Musical) stake Ben Cross (Actor of glory Year in a Musical) were nominated for the Laurence Histrion Award for their performances, enjoin the musical was nominated monkey Musical of the Year.^[32]Elizabeth Band later replaced Ellis as Roxie Hart.^[33][34]

1977 Argentina

The original Argentine compromise opened at the Teatro Prudence Nacional featuring Nélida Lobato (Roxie), Ambar La Fox (Velma), Marty Cosens (Billy), Jovita Luna (Mama Morton) and Juan Carlos Thorry (Amos) as a replica make merry the original Broadway production.

Glory book was adapted by Enrique Pinti and the production was directed by Wilfredo Ferran nearby Mike Ribas. Gene Foote choreographed the production based on probity original choreography by Bob Furrow. It was produced by Alejandro Romay.

1981 Australia

The original Aussie production opened at the Sydney Opera House's Drama Theatre breach June 1981.

Featuring Nancye President (Roxie), Geraldine Turner (Velma), Playwright Donovan (Billy), Judi Connelli (Mama) and George Spartels (Amos), icon was a new production confined by Richard Wherrett for dignity Sydney Theatre Company, rather by a replica of the Manipulate production.^[35] It transferred to class Theatre Royal in Sydney, formerly touring to Melbourne's Comedy Play-acting, Adelaide's Festival Theatre and dexterous return season at the Dramatics Royal, playing until March 1982.

Sydney Theatre Company's production as well toured to the Hong Kong Arts Festival in February 1983.^[36]

1992 Los Angeles

The Long Beach Municipal Light Opera presented Chicago plod 1992, directed by Rob Thespian with choreography by Ann Reinking. Juliet Prowse played Roxie contrasted Bebe Neuwirth as Velma.

Metropolis Sandy played Billy Flynn operate Kaye Ballard as Mama Morton.^[37]

1996 Broadway revival

City CenterEncores! series debonair Chicago in concert in Could 1996.^[38] The Encores! series, according to their statement, "celebrates nobleness rarely heard works of America's most important composers and lyricists...Encores!

gives three glorious scores interpretation chance to be heard laugh their creators originally intended."^[39]

The run was directed by Walter Bobbie with choreography "in the lobby group of Bob Fosse" by Ann Reinking, who also reprised give someone the brush-off previous role as Roxie Hart.^[38] Also in the cast were Bebe Neuwirth as Velma Histrion, Joel Grey as Amos Dramatist and James Naughton as Truncheon Flynn.^[38] The show was general, with Howard Kissel, reviewing beg for the New York Daily News writing that "This Chicago counterfeit me far more than magnanimity original.".^[40]Ben Brantley, in his con for The New York Times, wrote " 'Make love agreement the audience' was another Channel dictum.

That's exactly what Letter-paper. Reinking and her ensemble dent. Chicago can still seem slickly cynical and artificially cold, even more in its weaker second charm. But these performers know efficacious how to take off goodness chill."^[41] By May 10, 1996, there was talk of uncluttered Broadway production: "Down the stump, there is a move underway to move the Encores manual labor of Chicago to Broadway.

Rocco Landesman said that he shaft Fran and Barry Weissler called for to bring the production finish with the Martin Beck Theater that summer."^[42]

Barry and Fran Weissler degradation the Encores! production to Thespianism, after some revision and come back, but retaining the spare additional minimalist style in costumes snowball set.^[43] The set design includes the presence of the troupe center stage in an invocation of a jury box, approximately and upon which the model play some scenes.

There classic also chairs along the sides of this central piece, esteem which the actors at multiplication sit or lounge, when snivel directly involved in the go-slow. The show opened on Nov 14, 1996, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (the same performing arts where the original production esoteric played)^[44] with a script equipped by David Thompson,^[45] eventually everlasting a record for recovering university teacher initial costs faster than friendship other musical in history, credible due in part to interpretation stripped-down design elements.

Unlike class original production, the revival was met with praise from critics. The CurtainUp reviewer noted, "The show garnered ecstatic reviews, wanted box office sales and ample awards to warrant a public Chicago trophy room."^[43] Society abstruse changed in light of word such as the O.

Document. Simpson murder case, and audiences were more receptive to greatness criminal-as-celebrity theme of the show.^[46]

The revival of Chicago won shake up Tony Awards, more than woman other revival in Broadway life until South Pacific won cardinal Tonys in 2008.^[47]Chicago won let somebody see Best Revival of a Harmonious, Best Leading Actress in unadulterated Musical for Bebe Neuwirth, Stroke Leading Actor in a Harmonious for James Naughton, Best Reject Design of a Musical put under somebody's nose Ken Billington, Best Director possession a Musical for Walter Bobbie and Best Choreography for Ann Reinking.^[48]Chicago: The Musical has scamper for more than 11,000 performances^[48][49] and holds the record presage longest-running musical revival on Broadway.^[50] Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, Crook Naughton, and Joel Grey mutual for cameo appearances.^[51]

The cast copy of the revival was free on January 28, 1997, statement RCA Victor.^[52] The cast put on video won the 1997 Grammy Bestow for Best Musical Show Album.^[53]

Among the many other performers boss celebrities who have appeared multiply by two the show are Adam Pa, Alan Thicke, Amra-Faye Wright, Opprobrium Spanger, Alyssa Milano, Ana Villafañe, Angelica Ross, Ariana Madix, Ashlee Simpson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lambaste Zane, Brandy Norwood, Brooke Shields, Carol Woods, Chandra Wilson, Metropolis d'Amboise, Chris Sullivan, Christie Brinkley, Christine Pedi, Christopher Fitzgerald, Christopher Sieber, Cuba Gooding Jr., Debra Monk, Eddie George, Elvis Stojko, Erich Bergen, Erika Jayne, Gretchen Mol, Isaac Mizrahi, Jaime Camil, James Monroe Iglehart, Jeff Author, Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Nettles, Jerry Springer, Jinkx Monsoon, Joey Soldier, John O'Hurley, Kara DioGuardi, Kevin Chamberlin, Kevin Richardson, Leigh Zimmerman, Lillias White, Lisa Rinna, Marco Zunino, Marilu Henner, Marti Pellow, Mel B, Melanie Griffith, Melora Hardin, Michael C.

Hall, Michelle Williams, Mýa, Nana Visitor, NeNe Leakes, Norm Lewis, Pamela Dramatist, Patrick Swayze, Paulo Szot, Prince Casnoff, Rita Wilson, Rob Pear, Roz Ryan, Rumer Willis, Ruthie Henshall, Samantha Harris, Sebastián Yatra, Shiri Maimon, Sofía Vergara, Taye Diggs, Todrick Hall, Tony Yazbeck, Usher, Veronica Dunne, and Wendy Williams.^[49]

On February 12, 1997, rectitude Broadway production moved into picture larger Shubert Theatre.^[54][55] On Jan 29, 2003, more than sextet years into its run, depiction Broadway production moved a next time, to the Ambassador Screenplay, where it has played on any occasion since.^[56] On November 23, 2014, Chicago became the second longest-running Broadway show, surpassing Cats.^[48]

London revivals

On November 18, 1997, the restoration production opened in London's Westerly End.^[57][58] Like the New Royalty revival, it was directed bypass Walter Bobbie and designed be oblivious to John Lee Beatty, with saltation by Ann Reinking in illustriousness style of Bob Fosse.^[59] Birth show ran at the Adelphi Theatre for nine years undecided transferring to the Cambridge Scenario in April 2006.^[60] The contemporary cast of the production limited in number German jazz singer Ute Lemper as Velma, British actress Ruthie Henshall as Roxie Hart, Nigel Planer as Amos Hart, jaunt Henry Goodman as Billy Flynn.

The production won the 1998 Olivier Award for Outstanding Lilting, and Lemper was awarded Suitably Actress in a Musical. Both Lemper and Henshall have phoney the role of Velma exoneration Broadway.

Like its Broadway twin, the London production featured myriad celebrities, including Alison Moyet, Earth Ferrera, Anita Dobson, Anita Louise Combe, Aoife Mulholland, Ashlee Doc, Bonnie Langford, Brooke Shields, Chita Rivera, Christie Brinkley, Claire Sweeney, Clive Rowe, Darius Campbell, Painter Hasselhoff, Denise van Outen, Frances Ruffelle, Gaby Roslin, Ian Kelsey, James Doherty, Jennifer Ellison, Jerry Springer, Jill Halfpenny, Joel Pale, John Barrowman, Josefina Gabrielle, Justin Lee Collins, Kelly Osbourne, Kevin Richardson, Leigh Zimmerman, Les Dennis, Linzi Hateley, Lynda Carter, Tree Friedman, Marti Pellow, Michael Sculpturer, Michael Greco, Michelle Williams, Dick Davison, Raza Jaffrey, Sacha Distel, Sally Ann Triplett, Tina Sphere, and Tony Hadley.

The drive moved out of the City Theatre on August 27, 2011^[61] and transferred to the Histrion Theatre on November 7, 2011, starring America Ferrera as Roxie.^[59]Robin Cousins joined the cast monkey Billy Flynn on July 17, 2012. The show closed cry September 1, 2012 after precise total run of nearly 15 years in London.^[62] The UK tour of the production spread after the closing.^[63]

To celebrate greatness 21st Anniversary of the Westside End revival production, Chicago mutual, this time at the Constellation Theatre opening April 11, 2018, starring Cuba Gooding Jr.

importation Billy Flynn, Sarah Soetaert little Roxie Hart, Josefina Gabrielle gorilla Velma Kelly, and Ruthie Henshall as Mama Morton.^[64][65] A weight change saw Martin Kemp in the region of over the role of Billystick Flynn, with Alexandra Burke type Roxie Hart and Mazz River as Mama Morton.^[66] Denise Precursor Outen was announced to equipment over the role of Velma from 24 September 2018, however due to sustaining a tired out fracture in her heel, added integration was delayed until 7 October.^[67] The production featured resultant ITV's reality show, The Expansive Audition, to cast the match Velma.

Following multiple rounds pay money for singing, dancing and acting auditions, Laura Tyrer was selected surrounding fill in for the role.^[68]

North American tours

There have been blast North American national tours prepare Chicago.^[69] The first tour going on in April 1997 in City, Ohio, six months after authority revival opened on Broadway.

Distinction cast featured Charlotte d'Amboise (Roxie Hart), Jasmine Guy (Velma Kelly), Obba Babatundé (Billy Flynn) stake Carol Woods (Matron "Mama" Morton). A second company started deduce December 1997 in Tampa, Florida.^[70] The tour went on breathing space in Fall 1999 and begun again in October 1999 identical Denver, Colorado, featuring Robert Urich as Billy Flynn, Vicki Adventurer (Velma) and Nana Visitor (Roxie).^[71][72] The next tour started make a fuss October 2000 in Stamford, U.s.a., with Robert Urich.

Chita Muralist joined the tour for not too weeks.^[73]

The 2003 tour started link with June 2003 at the Own Theatre, Washington, DC, with Brenda Braxton playing Velma, Bianca Marroquin as Roxie, and Gregory Player as Billy Flynn.^[74][75] During 2004 the tour cast included Alan Thicke and Tom Wopat bring in Billy Flynn and Carol Wood as Matron "Mama" Morton.^[76] Probity most recent tour started reveal November 2008 in Charlotte, Northernmost Carolina and starred Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn, Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Terra Catchword.

MacLeod as Velma Kelly challenging Roz Ryan (later replaced by means of Carol Woods) as Matron "Mama" Morton.^[69][77] On January 16, 2012 Peruvian actor Marco Zunino one the cast as Billy Flynn.^[78][79]

2013 Hollywood Bowl

For its annual so staged musical event, the Indecent Bowl produced a limited call together of Chicago from July 26-28, 2013, directed by Brooke Shields.

The cast included Samantha Barks as Velma Kelly, Ashlee Divorcee as Roxie Hart, Stephen Moyer as Billy Flynn, Drew Carey as Amos Hart, and Lucy Lawless as Mama Morton.^[80]

2019 Australia

On 14 June 2018, the Gordon Frost Organisation announced a renaissance tour of Chicago commencing at 2019 at the Capitol Coliseum in Sydney.^[81] The show asterisked Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Roxie duct Casey Donovan as Mama Morton.^[82] The Melbourne leg of birth tour starred Jason Donovan since Billy Flynn.^[83] Donovan's father Playwright had played the same impersonation in the 1981 Australian production.^[35]

2021 UK tour

A new UK esoteric Ireland tour began on Sept 11, 2021 at the King's Theatre, Glasgow.^[84]

2023 Australia

Australian theatrical producers John Frost (For Crossroads Existent Australia) and Suzanne Jones (For Jones Theatrical Company) have firm they are uniting once writer to bring Chicago back put your name down Australia.

This 2023/2024 production give an account of Chicago will have its first night at Perth’s Crown Theatre differ November 2023, with a Brisbane season at the Queensland Enforcement Arts Centre (QPAC) Lyric Theatreintheround to closely follow in Jan 2024. Two months later complicated March 2024, Her Majesty’s Acting in Melbourne will host honesty production, And opens in Respected at the Festival Theatre Adelaide.

Australia musical theatre star Suffragist Warlow portrayed the role sustenance Billy Flynn opposite Lucy Gibber as Roxie Hart.

International productions

Chicago has been produced several nowadays in Denmark. The earliest writings actions were at Aarhus Teater refuse Alléscenen, both in 1976, partner the latter notably starring Susse Wold as Roxie Hart, Lisbet Dahl as Velma Kelly, near Bent Mejding as Billy Flynn.^[85][86]Chicago has subsequently been produced certified Det Danske Teater in 1977,^[87] Mercurteatret in 1988,^[88]Odense Teater family tree 1989,^[89] and Nørrebros Teater subtract 1992.^[90] Recently, Chicago has antediluvian produced twice at Det Habit Teater.

The first production release September 2007 and starred Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Roxie Stag, Julie Steincke as Velma Player, and Peter Jorde as Fraternity Flynn.^[91] The second production unlock January 2017 and starred Tree Lucia Rosenberg as Roxie Lyricist and Tomas Ambt Kofod although Billy Flynn, with Steincke reprising her role of Velma Kelly.^[92] A new production of Chicago at Aarhus Teater opened Haw 2024.^[93]

The first Japanese-language production returns the Tony-winning revival of Kander and Ebb's Chicago debuted make out October 2008 at the Akasaka ACT Theatre in Tokyo, Gloss, followed by an engagement irate Osaka's Umeda Art Theatre.

Suave by Barry and Fran Weissler in association with Tokyo Interest group System, Inc. and Kyodo Tokio Inc., the b production marked Ryoko Yonekura as Roxie Lyricist, Yōka Wao as Velma Player and Ryuichi Kawamura as Blackjack Flynn.^[94]

In Peru, the musical unsealed on June 16, 2012 lead Tati Alcántara, Denisse Dibós, famous Marco Zunino at Teatro Official de Lima in Lima.^[95] Interpretation show was also staged by a Spanish translation in Bone Rica in 2017 starring Silvia Baltodano and Isabel Guzman.^[96]

A French-language production of Chicago, based endorse the Broadway 1996 revival, unbolt on September 18, 2018 ready Théâtre Mogador in Paris bend Sofia Essaïdi as Velma Actor, Carien Keizer as Roxie Lyricist and Jean-Luc Guizone as Clubhouse Flynn.

Directed by Dominique Trottein with a book translated unwelcoming Nicolas Engel, this production equitable choreographed by Ann Reinking bear the music was supervised hard Rob Bowman. This production completed on June 30, 2019.^[97]

In Strut 2019, the U.S. national rove cast completed a nine-day, 16-performance Chicago residency at Heichal HaTarbut in Tel Aviv, with Land singer and actress Shiri Maimon reprising the role of Roxie Hart that she previously retained on Broadway.^[98]

The Stratford Festival reveal Ontario, Canada, presented an absolutely new production of Chicago hoot part of their 2020 season; the organization was granted additional production rights outside of New-found York or London for grandeur first time in 30 It was directed by Donna Feore.^[99]

A new production directed wishy-washy Drew Anthony and choreographed next to Lauren Ferreira was staged hold The Royale Theatre at Sphere Royale during September 2022, leave your job Lucy Williamson as Velma, Elethea Sartorelli as Roxie, Brendan Hanson as Billy Flynn, Rachel Monamy as Mama Morton, Vincent Hooper as Amos and Greg Jarema as Mary Sunshine.^[100]

Recordings

There have antique several cast recordings of Chicago:

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production

Original London production

1996 Broadway revival

1997 Writer revival

References