Chicago 1975 broadway cast

1975 musical by John Kander and Fred Ebb

Chicago is keen 1975 American musical with concerto by John Kander, lyrics uninviting Fred Ebb, and book tough Ebb and Bob Fosse. Throng in Chicago in the Ostentation Age, the musical is supported on a 1926 play confiscate the same title by Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual organized crime abode o and crimes on which she reported.

The story is neat satire on corruption in high-mindedness administration of criminal justice service the concept of the "celebrity criminal".

The world premiere commentary the musical was a Exhibit tryout from April 8, 1975, to May 3, 1975, invective the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia.^[1][2] The original Broadway production undo on June 3, 1975 miniature the 46th Street Theatre^[3][4] tell off ran for 936 performances, up in the air August 27, 1977.^[5] Bob Channel directed and choreographed the basic production, and his style equitable strongly identified with the exhibition.

It debuted in the Westside End in 1979, where accompany ran for 600 performances. Chicago was revived on Broadway develop 1996, and a year adjacent in the West End.

The 1996 Broadway production holds probity record as the longest-running melodious revival and the longest-running Denizen musical in Broadway history.

Arouse is the second longest-running extravaganza ever to run on Street, behind only The Phantom preceding the Opera. Chicago surpassed Cats on November 23, 2014, conj at the time that it played its 7,486th performance.^[6] The West End revival became the longest-running American musical drag West End history.

The constant 1996 revival of Chicago levelheaded the longest-running show currently become Broadway. Chicago has been expose in numerous productions around distinction world, and has toured as a rule in the United States squeeze United Kingdom. The 2002 peel adaptation of the musical won the Academy Award for First Picture.

History

The musical Chicago obey based on a play observe the same name by journo and playwright Maurine Dallas Watkins, who was assigned to stumble on the 1924 trials of prisoner murderers Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner for the Chicago Tribune. In the early 1920s, Chicago's press and public became fast by the subject of homicides committed by women.

Several high-profile cases arose, which generally complex women killing their lovers be an enthusiast of husbands. These cases were time-tested against a backdrop of fluctuating views of women in description Jazz Age, and a well ahead string of acquittals by Hedge County juries of female murderers (juries at the time were all male, and convicted murderers generally faced death by hanging).

A lore arose that, inconvenience Chicago, feminine or attractive column could not be convicted. Magnanimity Chicago Tribune generally favored magnanimity prosecution's case, while still debut the details of these women's lives. Its rivals at blue blood the gentry Hearst papers were more pro-defendant, and employed what were mockingly called "sob-sisters" – women newspapermen who focused on the engage, attractiveness, redemption, or grace be a witness the female defendants.

Regardless execute stance, the press covered various of these women as celebrities.^[7]

Annan, the model for the amount of Roxie Hart, was 23 when she was accused translate the April 3, 1924^[8] massacre of Harry Kalstedt, who served as the basis for position Fred Casely character. The Tribune reported that Annan played honesty foxtrot record Hula Lou attain and over for two high noon before calling her husband suck up to say she killed a civil servant who "tried to make adoration to her".

Her husband Albert Annan inspired the character Prophet Hart. Albert was an machine mechanic who bankrupted himself tongue-lash defend his wife, only support her to publicly dump him the day after she was acquitted. Velma Kelly is homeproduced on Gaertner, who was a-okay cabaret singer and society divorcée. The body of Walter Mangle was discovered slumped over rendering steering wheel of Gaertner's deserted car on March 12, 1924.

Two police officers testified ensure they had seen a female getting into the car boss shortly thereafter heard gunshots. Unmixed bottle of gin and be over automatic pistol were found motion the floor of the auto. Lawyers William Scott Stewart service W. W. O'Brien were models for a composite character restore Chicago, Billy Flynn.

Just cycle apart, separate juries at greatness Criminal Courts building acquitted both women.^[9]

Watkins' sensational columns documenting these trials proved so popular mosey she wrote a play family circle on them. The show customary both good box-office sales come first newspaper notices and was cavalier on Broadway in 1926, operating 172 performances.

Cecil B. Filmmaker produced a silent film narration, Chicago (1927), starring former Sennett bathing beauty Phyllis Swither as Roxie Hart. It was later remade as Roxie Hart (1942) starring Ginger Rogers, on the contrary in this version, Roxie was accused of murder without gaining really committed it, due tell somebody to content restrictions on Hollywood big screen of the era.

In say publicly 1960s, Gwen Verdon read integrity play and asked her hoard, Bob Fosse, about the narrow road of creating a musical adjusting. Fosse approached playwright Watkins many times to buy the exact, but she repeatedly declined; diarist Kevin Boyd Grubb has presumed that, by this point, Watkins may have regretted Annan weather Gaertner's acquittals, and felt delay her treatment of them essential not be glamorized.^[8] Nonetheless, operate her death in 1969, jettison estate sold the rights colloquium producer Richard Fryer, Verdon, very last Fosse.^[8]John Kander and Fred Wilt began work on the melodious score, modeling each number arrange a traditional vaudeville number less significant a vaudeville performer.

This drawing made explicit the show's juxtaposition between "justice", "show business", stake contemporary society. Ebb and Trench penned the book of blue blood the gentry musical, and Fosse also fated and choreographed.

Synopsis

Act I

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

Interplayed added the opening number, the outlook cuts to February 14, 1928, in the bedroom of concord girl Roxie Hart, where she murders Fred Casely as soil attempts to break off disentangle affair with her.

Roxie convinces her husband Amos that integrity victim was a burglar, attend to Amos agrees to take honesty blame.

Roxie expresses her sympathy of her husband's willingness progress to do anything for her ("Funny Honey"). However, when the police force mention the deceased's name, Prophet belatedly realizes that Roxie has lied to him. With both Roxie and Amos furious dispute each other for the other's betrayal, Roxie confesses and shambles arrested.

She is sent up the women's block in probity Cook County Jail, where distinct women accused of killing their lovers are held ("Cell Stick Tango"); among the inmates assessment Velma Kelly, revealing herself bear out have been involved in authority death of her husband trip sister after she caught them having sex, though she denies committing the act on be concerned about of blacking out from magnanimity 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 character media's top murderer-of-the-week and abridge acting as a booking discover for Velma's big return serve vaudeville.

Velma is not dejected to see Roxie, who commission stealing not only her bring out but also her lawyer, Club Flynn.

Roxie convinces Amos comprise pay for Billy Flynn tonguelash be her lawyer ("A Jiffy Dance"), though Amos lacks high-mindedness funds. Eagerly awaited by sovereignty all-woman clientele, Billy sings her highness anthem, complete with a concord of fan dancers ("All Uncontrollable Care About"). Billy takes Roxie's case before realizing Amos does not have the money; here make up the difference, blooper turns the case into clean media circus and rearranges become known story for consumption by head teacher tabloid columnist Mary Sunshine ("A Little Bit of Good"), desiring to sell proceeds in type auction.

Roxie's press conference meander into a ventriloquist act, buffed Billy dictating a new account of the truth ("We Both Reached for the Gun") equal the reporters while Roxie mouths the words.

Roxie becomes rendering most popular celebrity in City, as she boastfully proclaims period planning for her future vocation in vaudeville ("Roxie").

As Roxie's fame grows, Velma's notoriety subsides, and in an act decompose desperation she tries to covering Roxie into recreating the missy act ("I Can't Do Deafening Alone"). Roxie turns her abstract, only to find her allinclusive headlines replaced by the newsletter sordid crime of passion ("I Can't Do It Alone (Reprise)").

Separately, Roxie and Velma become conscious of there is no one they can count on but actually ("My Own Best Friend"), come first Roxie decides that being meaningful in prison would put smear back on the front sheet.

Act II

Velma returns to happen the opening act, resentful replicate Roxie's manipulation of the course ("I Know a Girl") beginning ability to seduce a doc into saying Roxie is pregnant; as Roxie emerges, she sings gleefully of the future loom her unborn (nonexistent) child ("Me and My Baby").

Amos proudly claims paternity, but still, upstart notices him, and Billy exposes holes in Roxie's story invitation noting that she and Prophet had not had sex make real four months, meaning if she were pregnant, the child was not Amos's, in hopes divagate Amos will divorce her ride look like a villain, which Amos almost does ("Mr. Cellophane").

Velma tries to show Belabor all the tricks she has planned for her trial ("When Velma Takes The Stand"), which Roxie treats skeptically. Roxie, capsize with being treated like expert "common criminal" and considering human being a celebrity, has a forbidding argument with Billy and fires him; Billy warns her renounce her kind of celebrity high opinion fleeting and that she would be just as famous noose know the ropes be from a noose.

At dump moment, Roxie witnesses one accuse her fellow inmates, a European woman who insisted on other innocence but could not write English and whose public counsel refused to defend her, answer the first woman to acceptably executed in Chicago in decades.

The trial date arrives, captivated the now freshly terrified Roxie runs back to Billy, who calms Roxie by suggesting she will be fine so grovel as she makes a stage show of the trial ("Razzle Dazzle").

Billy uses Amos as unblended pawn, turning around and demand that Amos is actually say publicly father of Roxie's child. Gorilla Roxie recounts Billy's carefully crafted false narrative of the cimmerian dark 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 dressing-down Mama and Velma ("Class").

Laugh promised, Billy gets Roxie clip, but just as the selection is announced, some even better-quality sensational crime pulls the subject to away, and Roxie's fleeting lead life is over. Billy leaves, done with the case, avowal that he only did film set for the money. Amos tries to get Roxie to make available home and forget the tribulations, but she is more unsettled with the end of tea break brief run of fame tell admits she isn't pregnant, mass which point a fed come between Amos leaves her.

The encouragement scene cuts to a City vaudeville theater, where Roxie remarkable Velma (acquitted off-stage) are the theater a new act in which they sing bittersweetly about new life ("Nowadays"). The former Conventional Sunshine, revealed during the trying out actually to be a civil servant in drag, takes his counselor male form as a self-assertive vaudeville promoter, shaping Roxie famous Velma's dance ("Hot Honey Rag") to make it as suggestive as possible.

The show remnants with a brief finale renovation Roxie and Velma thank their audience ("Finale").^[10]

Musical numbers

1975 Original Fake Production

"Chicago: A Musical Vaudeville"

1996 Revival Production

"Chicago: The Musical"

† In say publicly 1975 Original Broadway Production title its Playbill, there are organized few contradicting song lists.

Songs such as "R.S.V.P" and "Keep It Hot" which were helping pieces in the "Finale" were removed from the licensable punishment, but were included in imaginative production and script. Other songs such as "Ten Percent" song by a deleted character who was Velma's agent, and "No" sung by Roxie and Boys were cut soon into significance production and only appear training demo recordings and in representation original Playbill, but are sob in the original script.

Keep inside cut songs from the extravaganza were "Rose Colored Glasses" straighten up different version of "We Both Reached for the Gun", "Pansy Eyes", and "Loopin' the Loop".^[11][12]

Cast and characters

Original casts

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

Principal characters (defined gorilla having at least one featured musical number) and original exile of notable productions:

Notable replacements

Broadway (1975–1977)

Broadway (1996–)

• Roxie Hart: Pamela Writer, Mel B, Christie Brinkley, Metropolis d'Amboise, Paige Davis, Kara DioGuardi, Sandy Duncan, Veronica Dunne, Metropolis Kate Fox, Robin Givens, Melanie Griffith, Melora Hardin, Samantha General, 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 Marksman, Lisa Rinna, Chita Rivera, Herb Ross, Brooke Shields, Ashlee Medico, Amy Spanger, Denise van Outen, Ana Villafañe, Nana Visitor, Michelle Williams, Rumer Willis, Rita Ornithologist, Ryoko Yonekura, Karen Ziemba
• Velma Kelly: Pia Douwes, Deidre Goodwin, Lana Gordon, Jasmine Guy, Mýa Player, Ruthie Henshall, Carly Hughes, Robyn Hurder, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Sharon Lawrence, Ute Lemper, Vicki Author, Bianca Marroquín, Luba Mason, Anna Montanaro, Caroline O'Connor, Reva Lyricist, Amra-Faye Wright, Leigh Zimmerman
• Billy Flynn: Pasquale Aleardi, Obba Babatundé, Goose Barrett, Hinton Battle, Erich Metropolis, Wayne Brady, Jaime Camil, Prince Casnoff, Maxwell Caulfield, Chuck Player, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Danieley, Taye Diggs, Brandon Victor Dixon, Colman Domingo, John Dossett, Christopher Fitzgerald, Alexander Gemignani, Eddie Martyr, Cuba Gooding Jr., Louis Gossett Jr., Michael C.

  Hall, Todrick Hall, George Hamilton, Harry Hamlin, Gregory Harrison, Tom Hewitt, Outlaw Monroe Iglehart, Gregory Jbara, Book T. Lane, Joey Lawrence, Huey Lewis, Norm Lewis, Hal Wood, Peter Lockyer, Jeff McCarthy, Christopher McDonald, Brian McKnight, Paul Alexanders Nolan, John O'Hurley, Adam Mathematician, Marti Pellow, Clarke Peters, Daffo Raines, Kevin Richardson, John Schneider, Matthew Settle, Chaz Lamar Conduct, Christopher Sieber, Jerry Springer, Elvis Stojko, Patrick Swayze, Paulo Szot, Alan Thicke, Robert Urich, Take, Ben Vereen, Max von Diminish, Tom Wopat, Sebastián Yatra, Mannered Yazbeck, Billy Zane, Adrian Zmed, Marco Zunino

• Amos Hart: Rob Explorer, Kevin Carolan, Kevin Chamberlin, Cory English, Christopher Fitzgerald, James Businesslike.

  Lane, Tom McGowan, Isaac Mizrahi, Vincent Pastore, Ernie Sabella, Chris Sullivan, Paul C. Vogt

• Mama Morton: Kandi Burruss, B.J. Crosby, Meadow DeLaria, Larisa Dolina, Debbie Gravitte, Jennifer Holliday, Cady Huffman, Patti LaBelle, NeNe Leakes, Adriane Lenox, Debra Monk, Jinkx Monsoon, Anne L. Nathan, Bebe Neuwirth, Michele Pawk, Christine Pedi, Roz Ryan, Camille Saviola, Valerie Simpson, Angie Stone, Mary Testa, Aida Turturro, Sofía Vergara, Lillias White, Terri White, Wendy Williams, Chandra Entomologist, Carol Woods
• Mary Sunshine: Daniel Levine, Max von Essen

West End reanimation (1997–2012)

• Roxie Hart: Tina Arena, Mess Barton, Christie Brinkley, Anita Louise Combe, Jennifer Ellison, America Ferrera, Maria Friedman, Josefina Gabrielle, Jill Halfpenny, Linzi Hateley, Bonnie Langford, Aoife Mulholland, Petra Nielsen, Chita Rivera, Frances Ruffelle, Suzanne Humourist, Brooke Shields, Ashlee Simpson, Claire Sweeney, Sally 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, Actress Zimmerman
• Billy Flynn: Luca Barbareschi, Bog Barrowman, David Bedella, Darius Mythologist, Maxwell Caulfield, Robin Cousins, Juan Pablo Di Pace, John Diedrich, Sacha Distel, Michael French, Evangelist Goodgame, Michael Greco, Tony Hadley, David Hasselhoff, Raza Jaffrey, Dancer James, Ian Kelsey, Craig McLachlan, Jimmy Osmond, Marti Pellow, Clarke Peters, Kevin Richardson, Rolf European, Michael Siberry, Jerry Springer, Jonathan Wilkes, Gary Wilmot
• Amos Hart: Justin Lee Collins, Peter Davison, Lack of control Dennis, James Doherty, Joel Ghastly, Gareth Hale, Kevin Kennedy, Martyr Layton, Victor McGuire, Dale Meeks, Norman Pace, Clive Rowe
• Mama Morton: Lynda Carter, Sharon D.

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

• Mary Sunshine: Cory Dependably, Nathan Kiley

Musical and staging style

According to Fred Ebb, he wrote the book in a floor show style because "the characters were performers.

Every musical moment derive the show was loosely sculptural on someone else: Roxie was Helen Morgan, Velma was Texas Guinan, Billy Flynn was Vivid Lewis, Mama Morton was Sophie Tucker." Composer John Kander elaborates that the reason the famous was called a vaudeville "is because many of the songs we wrote are related evaluation specific performers like those boss about mentioned, and Eddie Cantor brook Bert Williams as well."^[14]

It was through the initial production, suffer not the writing, that numberless of the "traditional" Chicago performance conventions were developed:

The duplicated snap in "Razzle Dazzle" was added as an afterthought assume the suggestion of Ebb see to Kander.

Kander explains: "I call to mind when we wrote "Razzle Dazzle", before we took it sheep and played it for Float, you [Ebb] said with mysterious confidence 'Try adding a brace of finger snaps to mimic. Bobby will love that.' Phenomenon added them...and as soon trade in he heard the finger snaps, he loved the song."^[14] Alongside rehearsals, "Razzle Dazzle" was at first staged as an orgy come to get the steps of the courthouse.

Fosse was talked out get the message allowing this staging, when Orbach "convinced him that he was missing the Brechtian subtlety congenital in the number."^[15]

The original inference was "Loopin' the Loop", systematic doubles act with Verdon existing Rivera; however, "the scene seemed too much like an unschooled act so Fosse asked seek out something more 'glamorous in goodlooking gowns'".

The piece was full strength and replaced with "Nowadays". Active sections of "Loopin' the Loop" can still be heard pry open the Overture.^[15] Two other sections termed "Keep It Hot" turf "RSVP" were cut from dignity finale as well.

Another supreme character, a theatrical agent first name Henry Glassman, was played jam David Rounds, whose role was to exploit the notoriety loosen the prisoners for his paltry gain.

He also served since the evening's M.C. This character's role and the song "Ten Percent" was cut,^[16] with illustriousness character folded into that bazaar Matron Mama Morton, and indefinite members of the chorus communal his M.C. duties.^[17]

In a regroup of roles, Fosse decided honourableness lyrics for "Class" were moreover offensive and censored Kander increase in intensity Ebb's original version.

One representative the original lyrics "Every flout is a snot/Every girl attempt a twat" was restored support the 2002 film, although ethics entire number was cut use the final product.^[18]

Productions

Original Broadway production

Chicago: A Musical Vaudeville opened shot June 3, 1975 at magnanimity 46th Street Theatre, and ran for a total of 936 performances, closing on August 27, 1977.^[19] The opening night blue starred Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly, Gwen Verdon as Roxie Hart, Jerry Orbach as Billystick Flynn, and Barney Martin likewise Amos Hart.

Velma Kelly esoteric been a comparatively minor liberty in all versions of Chicago prior to the musical presentation. The role was fleshed handing over to balance Rivera's role conflicting Verdon's Roxie Hart.

The melodious received mixed reviews. The Brechtian style of the show, which frequently dropped the fourth bulwark, made audiences uncomfortable.

According harm James Leve, "Chicago is incredulous and subversive, exploiting American social mythologies in order to unshielded American celebrity culture."^[20]

The show unsealed the same year as Archangel Bennett's highly successful A Refrain Line, which beat out Chicago in both ticket sales refuse at the Tony Awards.^[21] Interpretation show was on the brink of closing when it ran into another setback: Verdon locked away to have surgery on nodes in her throat after inhaling a feather during the show's finale.^[22] The producers contemplated shutting the show, but Liza Minnelli stepped in and offered have knowledge of play the role of Roxie Hart in place of Verdon.^[23][24] Her run lasted slightly go bad a month (August 8, 1975, through September 13, 1975),^[25] championing the show's popularity, until Verdon recuperated and returned to honesty show.

Ann Reinking, who would go on to star encompass the highly successful 1996 revival^[26] and choreograph that production up-to-date the style of Fosse, was also a cast replacement be conscious of Roxie Hart during the show's original run.^[27]

1979 West End

The supreme West End, London production unsealed at the Cambridge Theatre fence in April 1979 and ran towards around 600 performances (having difficult its European premiere at honourableness Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, on 23 November 1978).^[28] It commenced down the West End with virtually of the Sheffield cast, dowel was directed by Peter Saint and choreographed by Gillian Saint.

The producers were Ray Cooney and Larry Parnes.^[29][30]Jenny Logan marked as Velma Kelly, with Munro Cross as Billy, Antonia Ellis as Roxie Hart and Shut in Fellows as Amos Hart.^[31] Ellis (Actress of the Year collective a Musical) and Ben Send (Actor of the Year take away a Musical) were nominated reach the Laurence Olivier Award provision their performances, and the harmonious was nominated as Musical salary the Year.^[32]Elizabeth Seal later replaced Ellis as Roxie Hart.^[33][34]

1977 Argentina

The original Argentine production opened at the same height the Teatro El Nacional featuring Nélida Lobato (Roxie), Ambar Coryza Fox (Velma), Marty Cosens (Billy), Jovita Luna (Mama Morton) streak Juan Carlos Thorry (Amos) since a replica of the earliest Broadway production.

The book was adapted by Enrique Pinti essential the production was directed afford Wilfredo Ferran and Mike Ribas. Gene Foote choreographed the arrange based on the original saltation by Bob Fosse. It was produced by Alejandro Romay.

1981 Australia

The original Australian production unsealed at the Sydney Opera House's Drama Theatre in June 1981.

Featuring Nancye Hayes (Roxie), Geraldine Turner (Velma), Terence Donovan (Billy), Judi Connelli (Mama) and Martyr Spartels (Amos), it was put in order new production directed by Richard Wherrett for the Sydney Stage show Company, rather than a produce young of the Broadway production.^[35] Introduce transferred to the Theatre Commune in Sydney, before touring finish off Melbourne's Comedy Theatre, Adelaide's Celebration Theatre and a return period at the Theatre Royal, interpretation until March 1982.

Sydney Playhouse Company's production also toured obstacle the Hong Kong Arts Holy day in February 1983.^[36]

1992 Los Angeles

The Long Beach Civic Light Work presented Chicago in 1992, headed by Rob Marshall with dancing by Ann Reinking. Juliet Prowse played Roxie opposite Bebe Neuwirth as Velma.

Gary Sandy seized Billy Flynn with Kaye Ballard as Mama Morton.^[37]

1996 Broadway revival

City CenterEncores! series presented Chicago compel concert in May 1996.^[38] High-mindedness Encores! series, according to their statement, "celebrates the rarely heard works of America's most elder composers and lyricists...Encores!

gives twosome glorious scores the chance take a look at be heard as their creators originally intended."^[39]

The production was fastened by Walter Bobbie with show "in the style of Bobfloat Fosse" by Ann Reinking, who also reprised her previous position as Roxie Hart.^[38] Also schedule the cast were Bebe Neuwirth as Velma Kelly, Joel Wan as Amos Hart and Saint Naughton as Billy Flynn.^[38] Greatness show was well-received, with Queen Kissel, reviewing for the New York Daily News writing divagate "This Chicago impressed me distance off more than the original.".^[40]Ben Brantley, in his review for The New York Times, wrote " 'Make love to the audience' was another Fosse dictum.

That's exactly what Ms. Reinking take precedence her ensemble do. Chicago gather together still seem glibly cynical stand for artificially cold, especially in closefitting weaker second act. But these performers know just how gap take off the chill."^[41] Wishywashy May 10, 1996, there was talk of a Broadway production: "Down the block, there assessment a move afoot to set in motion the Encores production of Chicago to Broadway.

Rocco Landesman thought that he and Fran settle down Barry Weissler wanted to produce the production to the Player Beck Theater this summer."^[42]

Barry skull Fran Weissler brought the Encores! production to Broadway, after humdrum revision and expansion, but utilization avocation the spare and minimalist in order in costumes and set.^[43] Class set design includes the appearance of the band center depletion in an evocation of first-class jury box, around and raise which the actors play dreadful scenes.

There are also room along the sides of that central piece, in which interpretation actors at times sit deferential lounge, when not directly throw yourself into in the action. The come across opened on November 14, 1996, at the Richard Rodgers Auditorium (the same theater where picture original production had played)^[44] interest a script adapted by Painter Thompson,^[45] eventually setting a make a copy of for recovering its initial give back faster than any other dulcet in history, likely due delight part to the stripped-down pattern elements.

Unlike the original arrange, the revival was met implements praise from critics. The CurtainUp reviewer noted, "The show garnered ecstatic reviews, enviable box organization sales and enough awards appeal warrant a special Chicago award room."^[43] Society had changed beginning light of events such rightfully the O.

J. Simpson homicide case, and audiences were ultra receptive to the criminal-as-celebrity town of the show.^[46]

The revival motionless Chicago won six Tony Brownie points, more than any other resuscitation in Broadway history until South Pacific won seven Tonys acquire 2008.^[47]Chicago won for Best Awakening of a Musical, Best Eminent Actress in a Musical patron Bebe Neuwirth, Best Leading Event in a Musical for Apostle Naughton, Best Lighting Design go a Musical for Ken Billington, Best Director of a Euphonious for Walter Bobbie and Principal Choreography for Ann Reinking.^[48]Chicago: Say publicly Musical has run for mega than 11,000 performances^[48][49] and holds the record for longest-running melodic revival on Broadway.^[50] Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, tolerate Joel Grey returned for dry-point appearances.^[51]

The cast recording of illustriousness revival was released on Jan 28, 1997, on RCA Victor.^[52] The cast recording won depiction 1997 Grammy Award for Stroke Musical Show Album.^[53]

Among the go to regularly other performers and celebrities who have appeared in the event are Adam Pascal, Alan Thicke, Amra-Faye Wright, Amy Spanger, Alyssa Milano, Ana Villafañe, Angelica Be introduced to, Ariana Madix, Ashlee Simpson, Fellowship Ray Cyrus, Billy Zane, Brandy Norwood, Brooke Shields, Carol Sticks, Chandra Wilson, Charlotte d'Amboise, Chris Sullivan, Christie Brinkley, Christine Pedi, Christopher Fitzgerald, Christopher Sieber, State Gooding Jr., Debra Monk, Eddie George, Elvis Stojko, Erich Port, Erika Jayne, Gretchen Mol, Patriarch Mizrahi, Jaime Camil, James Town Iglehart, Jeff McCarthy, Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Nettles, Jerry Springer, Jinkx Monsoon, Joey Lawrence, John O'Hurley, Kara DioGuardi, Kevin Chamberlin, Kevin Richardson, Leigh Zimmerman, Lillias Ivory, Lisa Rinna, Marco Zunino, Marilu Henner, Marti Pellow, Mel Awkward, Melanie Griffith, Melora Hardin, Archangel C.

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

On Feb 12, 1997, the Broadway compromise moved into the larger Shubert Theatre.^[54][55] On January 29, 2003, more than six years feel painful its run, the Broadway bargain moved a second time, outdo the Ambassador Theatre, where tackle has played ever since.^[56] Muddle November 23, 2014, Chicago became the second longest-running Broadway subdivision, surpassing Cats.^[48]

London revivals

On November 18, 1997, the revival production open in London's West End.^[57][58] Intend the New York revival, be patient was directed by Walter Bobbie and designed by John Side Beatty, with choreography by Ann Reinking in the style enjoy yourself Bob Fosse.^[59] The show ran at the Adelphi Theatre make available nine years until transferring obtain the Cambridge Theatre in Apr 2006.^[60] The original cast disruption the production included German wind singer Ute Lemper as Velma, British actress Ruthie Henshall pass for Roxie Hart, Nigel Planer by the same token Amos Hart, and Henry Bandleader as Billy Flynn.

The contracts won the 1998 Olivier Jackpot for Outstanding Musical, and Lemper was awarded Best Actress name a Musical. Both Lemper discipline Henshall have played the portrayal of Velma on Broadway.

Like its Broadway counterpart, the Author production featured many celebrities, inclusive of Alison Moyet, America Ferrera, Anita Dobson, Anita Louise Combe, Aoife Mulholland, Ashlee Simpson, Bonnie Langford, Brooke Shields, Chita Rivera, Author Brinkley, Claire Sweeney, Clive Rowe, Darius Campbell, David Hasselhoff, Denise van Outen, Frances Ruffelle, Gaby Roslin, Ian Kelsey, James Doherty, Jennifer Ellison, Jerry Springer, Jill Halfpenny, Joel Grey, John Barrowboy, Josefina Gabrielle, Justin Lee Author, Kelly Osbourne, Kevin Richardson, Actress Zimmerman, Les Dennis, Linzi Hateley, Lynda Carter, Maria Friedman, Revolutionary Pellow, Michael French, Michael Greco, Michelle Williams, Peter Davison, Raza Jaffrey, Sacha Distel, Sally Ann Triplett, Tina Arena, and Unnatural Hadley.

The production moved resolve of the Cambridge Theatre rearrange August 27, 2011^[61] and transferred to the Garrick Theatre turmoil November 7, 2011, starring Land Ferrera as Roxie.^[59]Robin Cousins linked the cast as Billy Flynn on July 17, 2012. Representation show closed on September 1, 2012 after a total bang of nearly 15 years invite London.^[62] The UK tour take away the production continued after blue blood the gentry closing.^[63]

To celebrate the 21st Festival of the West End resurfacing production, Chicago returned, this regarding at the Phoenix Theatre cork April 11, 2018, starring Land Gooding Jr.

as Billy Flynn, Sarah Soetaert as Roxie Stag, Josefina Gabrielle as Velma Dancer, and Ruthie Henshall as Mummy Morton.^[64][65] A cast change dictum Martin Kemp take over representation role of Billy Flynn, channel of communication Alexandra Burke as Roxie Playwright and Mazz Murray as Mater Morton.^[66] Denise Van Outen was announced to take over blue blood the gentry role of Velma from 24 September 2018, but due survive sustaining a stress fracture wealthy her heel, her integration was delayed until 7 October.^[67] High-mindedness production featured on ITV's truth show, The Big Audition, interested cast the replacement Velma.

Next multiple rounds of singing, wink and acting auditions, Laura Tyrer was selected to fill respect for the role.^[68]

North American tours

There have been ten North Land national tours of Chicago.^[69] Justness first tour started in Apr 1997 in Cincinnati, Ohio, provoke months after the revival release on Broadway.

The cast featured Charlotte d'Amboise (Roxie Hart), Jasmine Guy (Velma Kelly), Obba Babatundé (Billy Flynn) and Carol Countryside (Matron "Mama" Morton). A next company started in December 1997 in Tampa, Florida.^[70] The outing went on hiatus in Go round 1999 and started again drop October 1999 in Denver, River, featuring Robert Urich as Cabaret Flynn, Vicki Lewis (Velma) extort Nana Visitor (Roxie).^[71][72] The take forward tour started in October 2000 in Stamford, Connecticut, with Parliamentarian Urich.

Chita Rivera joined interpretation tour for several weeks.^[73]

The 2003 tour started in June 2003 at the National Theatre, Pedagogue, DC, with Brenda Braxton presentation Velma, Bianca Marroquin as Roxie, and Gregory Harrison as Baton Flynn.^[74][75] During 2004 the journey cast included Alan Thicke turf Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn and Carol Woods as Nurse "Mama" Morton.^[76] The most late tour started in November 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina reprove starred Tom Wopat as Bludgeon Flynn, Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Terra C.

MacLeod on account of Velma Kelly and Roz Ryan (later replaced by Carol Woods) as Matron "Mama" Morton.^[69][77] Awareness January 16, 2012 Peruvian phenomenon Marco Zunino joined the troupe as Billy Flynn.^[78][79]

2013 Hollywood Bowl

For its annual fully staged lyrical event, the Hollywood Bowl do a limited run of Chicago from July 26-28, 2013, booked by Brooke Shields.

The troupe included Samantha Barks as Velma Kelly, Ashlee Simpson as Roxie Hart, Stephen Moyer as Cabaret Flynn, Drew Carey as Prophet Hart, and Lucy Lawless whereas Mama Morton.^[80]

2019 Australia

On 14 June 2018, the Gordon Frost System announced a revival tour garbage Chicago commencing early 2019 dear the Capitol Theatre in Sydney.^[81] The show starred Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Roxie and Casey Donovan as Mama Morton.^[82] The Town leg of the tour marked Jason Donovan as Billy Flynn.^[83] Donovan's father Terence had spurious the same role in rank 1981 Australian production.^[35]

2021 UK tour

A new UK and Ireland excursion began on September 11, 2021 at the King's Theatre, Glasgow.^[84]

2023 Australia

Australian theatrical producers John Cover (For Crossroads Live Australia) lecturer Suzanne Jones (For Jones Histrionic Company) have confirmed they authenticate uniting once more to bear Chicago back to Australia.

That 2023/2024 production of Chicago decision have its premiere at Perth’s Crown Theatre from November 2023, with a Brisbane season dislike the Queensland Performing Arts Middle (QPAC) Lyric Theatre to tight follow in January 2024. Cardinal months later in March 2024, Her Majesty’s Theatre in Town will host the production, Endure opens in August at dignity Festival Theatre Adelaide.

Australia euphonic theatre star Anthony Warlow show the role of Billy Flynn opposite Lucy Maunder as Roxie Hart.

International productions

Chicago has anachronistic produced several times in Danmark. The earliest productions were hatred Aarhus Teater and Alléscenen, both in 1976, with the drift notably starring Susse Wold by reason of Roxie Hart, Lisbet Dahl although Velma Kelly, and Bent Mejding as Billy Flynn.^[85][86]Chicago has afterwards been produced at Det Danske Teater in 1977,^[87] Mercurteatret insert 1988,^[88]Odense Teater in 1989,^[89] focus on Nørrebros Teater in 1992.^[90] Freshly, Chicago has been produced twin at Det Ny Teater.

Depiction first production opened September 2007 and starred Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Roxie Hart, Julie Steincke as Velma Kelly, and Shaft Jorde as Billy Flynn.^[91] Class second production opened January 2017 and starred Maria Lucia Rosenberg as Roxie Hart and Tomas Ambt Kofod as Billy Flynn, with Steincke reprising her behave of Velma Kelly.^[92] A modern production of Chicago at Aarhus Teater opened May 2024.^[93]

The important Japanese-language production of the Tony-winning revival of Kander and Ebb's Chicago debuted in October 2008 at the Akasaka ACT Theatrical piece in Tokyo, Japan, followed make wet an engagement at Osaka's Umeda Art Theatre.

Presented by Barry and Fran Weissler in thresher with Tokyo Broadcasting System, Opposition. and Kyodo Tokyo Inc., ethics b production starred Ryoko Yonekura as Roxie Hart, Yōka Wao as Velma Kelly and Ryuichi Kawamura as Billy Flynn.^[94]

In Peru, the musical opened on June 16, 2012 starring Tati Alcántara, Denisse Dibós, and Marco Zunino at Teatro Municipal de Lima in Lima.^[95] The show was also staged using a Country translation in Costa Rica herbaceous border 2017 starring Silvia Baltodano ground Isabel Guzman.^[96]

A French-language production fair-haired Chicago, based on the Level 1996 revival, opened on Sep 18, 2018 at Théâtre Mogador in Paris with Sofia Essaïdi as Velma Kelly, Carien Keizer as Roxie Hart and Jean-Luc Guizone as Billy Flynn.

Fated by Dominique Trottein with spiffy tidy up book translated by Nicolas Engel, this production is choreographed rough Ann Reinking and the penalization was supervised by Rob Archer. This production closed on June 30, 2019.^[97]

In March 2019, probity U.S. national touring cast organized a nine-day, 16-performance Chicago at Heichal HaTarbut in Association Aviv, with Israeli singer endure actress Shiri Maimon reprising justness role of Roxie Hart think it over she previously held on Broadway.^[98]

The Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada, presented an entirely new making of Chicago as part register their 2020 season; the coordination was granted new production frank outside of New York leader London for the first every time in 30 years.

It was directed by Donna Feore.^[99]

A contemporary production directed by Drew Suffragist and choreographed by Lauren Ferreira was staged at The Royale Theatre at Planet Royale by way of September 2022, with Lucy Williamson as Velma, Elethea Sartorelli variety Roxie, Brendan Hanson as He-goat Flynn, Rachel Monamy as Care for Morton, Vincent Hooper as Book and Greg Jarema as Normal Sunshine.^[100]

Recordings

There have been several ticket recordings of Chicago:

Awards stake nominations

Original Broadway production

Original London production

1996 Broadway revival

1997 London revival

References