Chicago (musical)

Chicago (musical). A landmark musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and director Bob Fosse. Set in the Roaring Twenties, the story is a satirical commentary on the corruption of the criminal justice system and the phenomenon of the "celebrity criminal," inspired by real-life murder trials covered by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins. Its iconic score, minimalist "in concert" staging, and signature Fosse choreography have cemented its status as one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history.

Background and development

The musical is based on the 1926 play Chicago by Maurine Dallas Watkins, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune who covered the sensational trials of accused murderers like Belva Gaertner and Beulah Annan. The project was initially conceived for Gwen Verdon, who brought the idea to her husband, Bob Fosse. John Kander and Fred Ebb, fresh from the success of Cabaret, began composing the score. The original production was directed and choreographed by Fosse, with Tony Walton handling scenic design. The show's development was influenced by the vaudeville tradition, using individual performance acts as metaphors for the characters' manipulations of the public and media.

Synopsis

The story follows Roxie Hart, a housewife who murders her lover and is sent to the Cook County Jail, where she meets the famed Velma Kelly, another murderess. Both women are represented by the cunning, fame-seeking lawyer Billy Flynn, who maniples the press, including reporter Mary Sunshine, to turn their cases into tabloid spectacles. Roxie's journey sees her temporarily achieving the celebrity she craves, outshining Velma, before both women's fame fades, leading them to join forces as a vaudeville duo. The plot satirizes the fleeting nature of American celebrity and the corruptibility of institutions like the Chicago Police Department.

Musical numbers

The score, celebrated for its jazz-influenced style, includes several standards that have entered the musical theatre canon. Act One features the opening number "All That Jazz," along with "Cell Block Tango" and "Roxie." Act Two includes the show-stopping "Razzle Dazzle" and the poignant "Class," a duet for Velma and the prison matron Mama Morton. Other notable songs are "Mr. Cellophane," sung by Roxie's neglected husband Amos Hart, and "Nowadays." The original Broadway cast recording won a Grammy Award.

Productions

The original Broadway production, starring Gwen Verdon as Roxie, Chita Rivera as Velma, and Jerry Orbach as Billy Flynn, opened at the 46th Street Theatre on June 3, 1975. Although it ran for 936 performances, it was overshadowed at the Tony Awards by A Chorus Line. A 1996 revival, directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Fosse, opened as a City Center concert. This stripped-down production transferred to the Richard Rodgers Theatre, becoming a phenomenal success. It won six Tony Awards, including Best Revival, and continues its run, making it the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Major international productions have been staged in London's West End and around the world.

Critical reception and legacy

Initial reviews were mixed, with some critics finding its cynicism jarring, but the 1996 revival was hailed as a revelation. The show is now considered a classic of the American musical theatre, renowned for its sharp satire and innovative staging. Its influence is seen in later musicals like Urinetown and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. The revival's success is credited with revitalizing interest in the works of Kander and Ebb and the choreographic legacy of Bob Fosse. The musical's themes of media circus and infamy remain persistently relevant.

Adaptations

The most famous adaptation is the 2002 film Chicago, directed by Rob Marshall and starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture, among six Academy Awards. A separate 1975 television adaptation was made for The Hollywood Television Theatre. The stage musical itself has been adapted for various international tours and has been performed by countless regional and amateur theatre companies globally, solidifying its place in popular culture. Category:American musicals