Chicago (musical)

Chicago (musical) is a Broadway musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb, based on the 1926 play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins, which was inspired by the 1924 trial of Belva Gaertner and the 1924 trial of Beulah Annan. The musical is known for its razzle dazzle style, which was influenced by the Vaudeville and Burlesque traditions of the United States. The show premiered on November 3, 1975, at the 46th Street Theatre in New York City, directed by Bob Fosse and choreographed by Bob Fosse and Chet Walker. The original cast included Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly, Gwen Verdon as Roxie Hart, and Jerry Orbach as Billy Flynn.

Background

The musical is set in Prohibition-era Chicago, Illinois, and is based on the true story of Belva Gaertner and Beulah Annan, two women who were accused of murder in 1924. The show was written by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb, who were inspired by the 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, which was in turn inspired by the 1924 trials of Belva Gaertner and Beulah Annan. The musical features a unique blend of jazz, blues, and vaudeville music, which was influenced by the works of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Bessie Smith. The show's choreography was influenced by the Martha Graham Dance Company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Plot

The musical tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife who becomes a murderess after killing her lover, and Velma Kelly, a vaudevillian performer who is also accused of murder. The two women meet in Cook County Jail, where they are both being held for their crimes, and they become rivals for the attention of their lawyer, Billy Flynn. The show features a number of show-stopping numbers, including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, and Nowadays. The musical also explores themes of celebrity culture, corruption, and the objectification of women, which were influenced by the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.

Music

The music for the musical was written by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb. The show features a number of hit songs, including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, and Nowadays. The music is a unique blend of jazz, blues, and vaudeville styles, which was influenced by the works of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Bessie Smith. The show's orchestrations were written by Ralph Burns, who also worked on the 1966 musical Cabaret. The musical has been performed by a number of notable singers, including Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, and Gwen Verdon.

Productions

The musical premiered on November 3, 1975, at the 46th Street Theatre in New York City, directed by Bob Fosse and choreographed by Bob Fosse and Chet Walker. The original cast included Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly, Gwen Verdon as Roxie Hart, and Jerry Orbach as Billy Flynn. The show was a critical and commercial success, and it ran for 936 performances. The musical has since been revived a number of times, including a 1996 revival at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, which starred Ann Reinking as Roxie Hart and Bebe Neuwirth as Velma Kelly. The show has also been performed in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Adaptations

The musical has been adapted into a number of films and television shows, including a 1975 television film starring Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon, and a 2002 film adaptation directed by Rob Marshall and starring Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, and Richard Gere as Billy Flynn. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it won a number of awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture. The musical has also been adapted into a number of stage productions, including a 2013 production at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, which starred Sara Bareilles as Roxie Hart and Brooke Shields as Velma Kelly.

Reception

The musical has received widespread critical acclaim for its music, lyrics, and choreography. The show has won a number of awards, including the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and the Academy Award for Best Picture. The musical has also been praised for its social commentary, which explores themes of celebrity culture, corruption, and the objectification of women. The show has been performed by a number of notable singers and dancers, including Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, and Gwen Verdon. The musical continues to be performed today, and it remains one of the most popular and influential musicals of all time, with performances at venues such as the Gershwin Theatre and the Ambassador Theatre. Category:Musicals