Chicago (musical)

Chicagois a 1975 American musical with music byJohn Kander, lyrics byFred Ebb, and book by Ebb andBob Fosse. Set inChicagoin theJazz Age, the musical is based on a1926 playof the same title byMaurine Dallas Watkinsabout actual criminals and crimes on which she reported. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal".
The world premiere of the musical was a Broadway tryout from April 8, 1975, to May 3, 1975, at theForrest Theatrein Philadelphia.The originalBroadwayproduction opened on June 3, 1975 at the46th Street Theatreand ran for 936 performances, until August 27, 1977.Bob Fosse directed and choreographed the original production, and his style is strongly identified with the show. It debuted in theWest Endin 1979, where it ran for 600 performances.Chicagowas revived on Broadway in 1996, and a year later in the West End.
The 1996 Broadway production holds the record as the longest-running musical revival and the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. It is the secondlongest-running show ever to run on Broadway, behind onlyThe Phantom of the Opera.ChicagosurpassedCatson November 23, 2014, when it played its 7,486th performance.The West End revival became the longest-running American musical in West End history. The ongoing 1996 revival ofChicagois the longest-running show currently on Broadway.Chicagohas been staged in numerous productions around the world, and has toured extensively in the United States and United Kingdom. The2002 film adaptationof the musical won theAcademy Award for Best Picture.
The musicalChicagois based ona playof the same name by reporter and playwrightMaurine Dallas Watkins, who was assigned to cover the 1924 trials of accused murderersBeulah AnnanandBelva Gaertnerfor theChicago Tribune. In the early 1920s, Chicago's press and public became riveted by the subject of homicides committed by women. Several high-profile cases arose, which generally involved women killing their lovers or husbands. These cases were tried against a backdrop of changing views of women in theJazz Age, and a long string of acquittals byCook Countyjuries of female murderers (juries at the time were all male, and convicted murderers generally faced death by hanging). A lore arose that, in Chicago, feminine or attractive women could not be convicted. TheChicago Tribunegenerally favored the prosecution's case, while still presenting the details of these women's lives. Its rivals at theHearst paperswere more pro-defendant, and employed what were derisively called "sob-sisters" – women reporters who focused on the plight, attractiveness, redemption, or grace of the female defendants. Regardless of stance, the press covered several of these women as celebrities.
Annan, the model for the character ofRoxie Hart, was 23 when she was accused of the April 3, 1924murder of Harry Kalstedt, who served as the basis for the Fred Casely character. TheTribunereported that Annan played thefoxtrotrecordHula Louover and over for two hours before calling her husband to say she killed a man who "tried to make love to her". Her husband Albert Annan inspired the character Amos Hart. Albert was an auto mechanic who bankrupted himself to defend his wife, only for her to publicly dump him the day after she was acquitted.Velma Kellyis based on Gaertner, who was a cabaret singer and society divorcée. The body of Walter Law was discovered slumped over the steering wheel of Gaertner's abandoned car on March 12, 1924. Two police officers testified that they had seen a woman getting into the car and shortly thereafter heard gunshots. A bottle of gin and an automatic pistol were found on the floor of the car. Lawyers William Scott Stewart and W. W. O'Brien were models for a composite character inChicago,Billy Flynn. Just days apart, separate juries at theCriminal Courts buildingacquitted both women.
Watkins' sensational columns documenting these trials proved so popular that she wrote a play based on them. The show received both good box-office sales and newspaper notices and was mounted on Broadway in 1926, running 172 performances.Cecil B. DeMilleproduced asilent filmversion,Chicago(1927), starring formerMack Sennettbathing beautyPhyllis Haveras Roxie Hart. It was later remade asRoxie Hart(1942) starringGinger Rogers, but in this version, Roxie was accused of murder without having really committed it, due tocontent restrictions on Hollywood films of the era.
In the 1960s,Gwen Verdonread the play and asked her husband, Bob Fosse, about the possibility of creating a musical adaptation. Fosse approached playwright Watkins numerous times to buy the rights, but she repeatedly declined; historian Kevin Boyd Grubb has speculated that, by this point, Watkins may have regretted Annan and Gaertner's acquittals, and felt that her treatment of them should not be glamorized.Nonetheless, upon her death in 1969, herestatesold the rights to producer Richard Fryer, Verdon, and Fosse.John KanderandFred Ebbbegan work on the musical score, modeling each number on a traditionalvaudevillenumber or a vaudeville performer. This format made explicit the show's comparison between "justice", "show business", and contemporary society. Ebb and Fosse penned the book of the musical, and Fosse also directed andchoreographed.
Velma Kellyis avaudevillianwho welcomes the audience to tonight's show ("All That Jazz"). Interplayed with the opening number, the scene cuts to February 14, 1928, in the bedroom of chorus girlRoxie Hart, where she murders Fred Casely as he attempts to break off an affair with her.
Roxie convinces her husband Amos that the victim was a burglar, and Amos agrees to take the blame. Roxie expresses her appreciation of her husband's willingness to do anything for her ("Funny Honey"). However, when the police mention the deceased's name, Amos belatedly realizes that Roxie has lied to him. With both Roxie and Amos furious at each other for the other's betrayal, Roxie confesses and is arrested. She is sent to the women's block in theCook County Jail, where several women accused of killing their lovers are held ("Cell Block Tango"); among the inmates is Velma Kelly, revealing herself to have been involved in the death of her husband and sister after she caught them having sex, though she denies committing the act on account of blacking out from the sight. The block is presided over by Matron "Mama" Morton, whose system of takingbribes("When You're Good to Mama") perfectly suits her clientele. She has helped Velma become the media's top murderer-of-the-week and is acting as a booking agent for Velma's big return to vaudeville.
Velma is not happy to see Roxie, who is stealing not only her limelight but also her lawyer,Billy Flynn. Roxie convinces Amos to pay for Billy Flynn to be her lawyer ("A Tap Dance"), though Amos lacks the funds. Eagerly awaited by his all-woman clientele, Billy sings his anthem, complete with a chorus of fan dancers ("All I Care About"). Billy takes Roxie's case before realizing Amos does not have the money; to make up the difference, he turns the case into amedia circusand rearranges her story for consumption by sympathetic tabloid columnist Mary Sunshine ("A Little Bit of Good"), hoping to sell proceeds in an auction. Roxie's press conference turns into a ventriloquist act, with Billy dictating a new version of the truth ("We Both Reached for the Gun") to the reporters while Roxie mouths the words.
Roxie becomes the most popular celebrity in Chicago, as she boastfully proclaims while planning for her future career in vaudeville ("Roxie"). As Roxie's fame grows, Velma's notoriety subsides, and in an act of desperation she tries to talk Roxie into recreating the sister act ("I Can't Do It Alone"). Roxie turns her down, only to find her own headlines replaced by the latest sordid crime of passion ("I Can't Do It Alone (Reprise)"). Separately, Roxie and Velma realize there is no one they can count on but themselves ("My Own Best Friend"), and Roxie decides that being pregnant in prison would put her back on the front page.
Velma returns to introduce the opening act, resentful of Roxie's manipulation of the system ("I Know a Girl") and ability to seduce a doctor into saying Roxie is pregnant; as Roxie emerges, she sings gleefully of the future of her unborn (nonexistent) child ("Me and My Baby"). Amos proudly claims paternity, but still, nobody notices him, and Billy exposes holes in Roxie's story by noting that she and Amos had not had sex in four months, meaning if she were pregnant, the child was not Amos's, in hopes that Amos will divorce her and look like a villain, which Amos almost does ("Mr. Cellophane"). Velma tries to show Billy all the tricks she has planned for her trial ("When Velma Takes The Stand"), which Roxie treats skeptically. Roxie, upset with being treated like a "common criminal" and considering herself a celebrity, has a heated argument with Billy and fires him; Billy warns her that her kind ofcelebrity is fleetingand that she would be just as famous hanging from a noose. At that moment, Roxie witnesses one of her fellow inmates, a Hungarian woman who insisted on her innocence but could not speak English and whose public lawyer refused to defend her, become the first woman to be executed in Chicago in decades.
The trial date arrives, and the now freshly terrified Roxie runs back to Billy, who calms Roxie by suggesting she will be fine so long as she makes a show of the trial ("Razzle Dazzle"). Billy uses Amos as a pawn, turning around and insisting that Amos is actually the father of Roxie's child. As Roxie recounts Billy's carefully crafted false narrative of the night of Fred's murder (with Fred re-appearing on stage inflashback), she steals all of Velma's schtick, down to the rhinestone garter, to the dismay of Mama and Velma ("Class"). As promised, Billy gets Roxie acquitted, but just as the verdict is announced, some even more sensational crime pulls the press away, and Roxie's fleeting celebrity life is over. Billy leaves, done with the case, admitting that he only did it for the money. Amos tries to get Roxie to come home and forget the ordeal, but she is more concerned with the end of her brief run of fame and admits she isn't pregnant, at which point a fed up Amos leaves her.
The final scene cuts to a Chicago vaudeville theater, where Roxie and Velma (acquitted off-stage) are performing a new act in which they sing bittersweetly about modern life ("Nowadays"). The former Mary Sunshine, revealed during the trial actually to be a man in drag, takes his natural male form as a pushy vaudeville promoter, shaping Roxie and Velma's dance ("Hot Honey Rag") to make it as sexy as possible. The show ends with a brief finale as Roxie and Velma thank their audience ("Finale").
"Chicago: A Musical Vaudeville"
"Chicago: The Musical"
† In the 1975 Original Broadway Production and its Playbill, there are a few contradicting song lists. Songs such as "R.S.V.P" and "Keep It Hot" which were instrumental pieces in the "Finale" were removed from the licensable music, but were included in original production and script. Other songs such as "Ten Percent" sung by a deleted character who was Velma's agent, and "No" sung by Roxie and Boys were cut soon into the production and only appear on demo recordings and in the original Playbill, but are not in the original script. Other cut songs from the show were "Rose Colored Glasses" a different version of "We Both Reached for the Gun", "Pansy Eyes", and "Loopin' the Loop".
Source for West End: overthefootlights.co.uk
Principal characters (defined as having at least one featured musical number) and original performers of notable productions:
Broadway (1975–1977)
Broadway (1996–)
West End revival (1997–2012)
According toFred Ebb, he wrote the book in avaudevillestyle because "the characters were performers. Every musical moment in the show was loosely modeled on someone else: Roxie wasHelen Morgan, Velma wasTexas Guinan, Billy Flynn wasTed Lewis, Mama Morton wasSophie Tucker." ComposerJohn Kanderelaborates that the reason the show was called a vaudeville "is because many of the songs we wrote are related to specific performers like those you mentioned, andEddie CantorandBert Williamsas well."
It was through the initial production, and not the writing, that many of the "traditional"Chicagostaging conventions were developed:
The double snap in "Razzle Dazzle" was added as an afterthought at the suggestion of Ebb to Kander. Kander explains: "I remember when we wrote "Razzle Dazzle", before we took it in and played it for Bob, you [Ebb] said with absolute confidence 'Try adding a couple of finger snaps to it. Bobby will love that.' We added them...and as soon as he heard the finger snaps, he loved the song."During rehearsals, "Razzle Dazzle" was originally staged as an orgy on the steps of the courthouse. Fosse was talked out of allowing this staging, when Orbach "convinced him that he was missing the Brechtian subtlety intrinsic in the number."
The original finale was "Loopin' the Loop", a doubles act with Verdon and Rivera; however, "the scene seemed too much like an amateur act so Fosse asked for something more 'glamorous in pretty gowns'". The piece was cut and replaced with "Nowadays". Instrumental sections of "Loopin' the Loop" can still be heard in the Overture.Two other sections termed "Keep It Hot" and "RSVP" were cut from the finale as well.
Another principal character, a theatrical agent named Henry Glassman, was played byDavid Rounds, whose role was to exploit the notoriety of the prisoners for his own gain. He also served as the evening'sM.C. This character's role and the song "Ten Percent" was cut,with the character folded into that of Matron Mama Morton, and various members of the chorus shared his M.C. duties.
In a reversal of roles, Fosse decided the lyrics for "Class" were too offensive and censored Kander and Ebb's original version. One of the original lyrics "Every guy is a snot/Every girl is a twat" was restored for the 2002 film, although the entire number was cut from the final product.
Chicago: A Musical Vaudevilleopened on June 3, 1975 at the46th Street Theatre, and ran for a total of 936 performances, closing on August 27, 1977.The opening night cast starredChita Riveraas Velma Kelly,Gwen Verdonas Roxie Hart,Jerry Orbachas Billy Flynn, andBarney Martinas Amos Hart. Velma Kelly had been a comparatively minor character in all versions ofChicagoprior to the musical rendering. The role was fleshed out to balance Rivera's role opposite Verdon's Roxie Hart.
The musical received mixed reviews. TheBrechtianstyle of the show, which frequently dropped thefourth wall, made audiences uncomfortable. According to James Leve, "Chicagois cynical and subversive, exploiting American cultural mythologies in order to attack American celebrity culture."
The show opened the same year asMichael Bennett's highly successfulA Chorus Line, which beat outChicagoin both ticket sales and at theTony Awards.The show was on the verge of closing when it ran into another setback: Verdon had to have surgery on nodes in her throat after inhaling a feather during the show's finale.The producers contemplated closing the show, butLiza Minnellistepped in and offered to play the role of Roxie Hart in place of Verdon.Her run lasted slightly over a month (August 8, 1975, through September 13, 1975),boosting the show's popularity, until Verdon recuperated and returned to the show.Ann Reinking, who would go on to star in the highly successful 1996 revivalandchoreographthat production in the style of Fosse, was also a cast replacement for Roxie Hart during the show's original run.
The firstWest End, London production opened at theCambridge Theatrein April 1979 and ran for around 600 performances (having had its European premiere at theCrucible Theatre,Sheffield, on 23 November 1978).It commenced in the West End with most of the Sheffield cast, and was directed by Peter James and choreographed byGillian Gregory. The producers were Ray Cooney andLarry Parnes.Jenny Loganstarred as Velma Kelly, withBen Crossas Billy, Antonia Ellis as Roxie Hart andDon Fellowsas Amos Hart.Ellis (Actress of the Year in a Musical) and Ben Cross (Actor of the Year in a Musical) were nominated for theLaurence Olivier Awardfor their performances, and the musical was nominated as Musical of the Year.Elizabeth Seallater replaced Ellis as Roxie Hart.
The original Argentine production opened at the Teatro El Nacional featuringNélida Lobato(Roxie),Ambar La Fox(Velma),Marty Cosens(Billy),Jovita Luna(Mama Morton) andJuan Carlos Thorry(Amos) as a replica of the original Broadway production. The book was adapted byEnrique Pintiand the production was directed by Wilfredo Ferran and Mike Ribas. Gene Foote choreographed the production based on the original choreography byBob Fosse. It was produced byAlejandro Romay.
The original Australian production opened at theSydney Opera House's Drama Theatre in June 1981. FeaturingNancye Hayes(Roxie),Geraldine Turner(Velma),Terence Donovan(Billy),Judi Connelli(Mama) andGeorge Spartels(Amos), it was a new production directed byRichard Wherrettfor theSydney Theatre Company, rather than a replica of the Broadway production.It transferred to theTheatre Royalin Sydney, before touring to Melbourne'sComedy Theatre, Adelaide'sFestival Theatreand a return season at the Theatre Royal, playing until March 1982. Sydney Theatre Company's production also toured to theHong Kong Arts Festivalin February 1983.
The Long Beach Civic Light Opera presented Chicago in 1992, directed byRob Marshallwith choreography byAnn Reinking.Juliet Prowseplayed Roxie oppositeBebe Neuwirthas Velma.Gary Sandyplayed Billy Flynn withKaye Ballardas Mama Morton.
City CenterEncores!series presentedChicagoin concert in May 1996.The Encores! series, according to their statement, "celebrates the rarely heard works of America's most important composers and lyricists...Encores! gives three glorious scores the chance to be heard as their creators originally intended."
The production was directed byWalter Bobbiewith choreography "in the style ofBob Fosse" byAnn Reinking, who also reprised her previous role as Roxie Hart.Also in the cast wereBebe Neuwirthas Velma Kelly,Joel Greyas Amos Hart andJames Naughtonas Billy Flynn.The show was well-received, with Howard Kissel, reviewing for theNew York Daily Newswriting that "ThisChicagoimpressed me far more than the original.".Ben Brantley, in his review forThe New York Times, wrote " 'Make love to the audience' was another Fosse dictum. That's exactly what Ms. Reinking and her ensemble do.Chicagocan still seem glibly cynical and artificially cold, especially in its weaker second act. But these performers know just how to take off the chill."By May 10, 1996, there was talk of a Broadway production: "Down the block, there is a move afoot to move the Encores production ofChicagoto Broadway. Rocco Landesman said that he and Fran and Barry Weissler wanted to bring the production to the Martin Beck Theater this summer."
Barry and Fran Weissler brought the Encores! production to Broadway, after some revision and expansion, but retaining the spare and minimalist style in costumes and set.The set design includes the presence of the band center stage in an evocation of a jury box, around and upon which the actors play some scenes. There are also chairs along the sides of this central piece, in which the actors at times sit or lounge, when not directly involved in the action. The show opened on November 14, 1996, at theRichard Rodgers Theatre(the same theater where the original production had played)with a script adapted byDavid Thompson,eventually setting a record for recovering its initial costs faster than any other musical in history, likely due in part to the stripped-down design elements.
Unlike the original production, the revival was met with praise from critics. TheCurtainUpreviewer noted, "The show garnered ecstatic reviews, enviable box office sales and enough awards to warrant a special Chicago trophy room."Society had changed in light of events such as theO. J. Simpson murder case, and audiences were more receptive to the criminal-as-celebrity theme of the show.
The revival ofChicagowon sixTony Awards, more than any other revival inBroadwayhistory untilSouth Pacificwon seven Tonys in 2008.Chicagowon for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Leading Actress in a Musical forBebe Neuwirth, Best Leading Actor in a Musical forJames Naughton, Best Lighting Design of a Musical forKen Billington, Best Director of a Musical forWalter Bobbieand Best Choreography forAnn Reinking.Chicago: The Musicalhas run for more than 11,000 performancesand holds the record for longest-running musical revival on Broadway.Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, and Joel Grey returned for cameo appearances.
The cast recording of the revival was released on January 28, 1997, on RCA Victor.The cast recording won the 1997Grammy AwardforBest Musical Show Album.
Among the many other performers and celebrities who have appeared in the show areAdam Pascal,Alan Thicke,Amra-Faye Wright,Amy Spanger,Alyssa Milano,Ana Villafañe,Angelica Ross,Ariana Madix,Ashlee Simpson,Billy Ray Cyrus,Billy Zane,Brandy Norwood,Brooke Shields,Carol Woods,Chandra Wilson,Charlotte 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 McCarthy,Jennifer Holliday,Jennifer Nettles,Jerry Springer,Jinkx Monsoon,Joey Lawrence,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 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,Veronica Dunne, andWendy Williams.
On February 12, 1997, the Broadway production moved into the largerShubert Theatre.On January 29, 2003, more than six years into its run, the Broadway production moved a second time, to theAmbassador Theatre, where it has played ever since.On November 23, 2014,Chicagobecame the second longest-running Broadway show, surpassingCats.
On November 18, 1997, the revival production opened in London'sWest End.Like the New York revival, it was directed by Walter Bobbie and designed byJohn Lee Beatty, with choreography by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse.The show ran at theAdelphi Theatrefor nine years until transferring to theCambridge Theatrein April 2006.The original cast of the production included German jazz singerUte Lemperas Velma, British actressRuthie Henshallas Roxie Hart,Nigel Planeras Amos Hart, andHenry Goodmanas Billy Flynn. The production won the 1998 Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical, and Lemper was awarded Best Actress in a Musical. Both Lemper and Henshall have played the role of Velma on Broadway.
Like its Broadway counterpart, the London production featured many celebrities, includingAlison Moyet,America Ferrera,Anita Dobson,Anita Louise Combe,Aoife Mulholland,Ashlee Simpson,Bonnie Langford,Brooke Shields,Chita Rivera,Christie 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 Barrowman,Josefina Gabrielle,Justin Lee Collins,Kelly Osbourne,Kevin Richardson,Leigh Zimmerman,Les Dennis,Linzi Hateley,Lynda Carter,Maria Friedman,Marti Pellow,Michael French,Michael Greco,Michelle Williams,Peter Davison,Raza Jaffrey,Sacha Distel,Sally Ann Triplett,Tina Arena, andTony Hadley.
The production moved out of the Cambridge Theatre on August 27, 2011and transferred to theGarrick Theatreon November 7, 2011, starringAmerica Ferreraas Roxie.Robin Cousinsjoined the cast as Billy Flynn on July 17, 2012. The show closed on September 1, 2012 after a total run of nearly 15 years in London.The UK tour of the production continued after the closing.
To celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the West End revival production,Chicagoreturned, this time at thePhoenix Theatreopening April 11, 2018, starringCuba Gooding Jr.as Billy Flynn, Sarah Soetaert as Roxie Hart,Josefina Gabrielleas Velma Kelly, andRuthie Henshallas Mama Morton.A cast change sawMartin Kemptake over the role of Billy Flynn, withAlexandra Burkeas Roxie Hart andMazz Murrayas Mama Morton.Denise Van Outen was announced to take over the role of Velma from 24 September 2018, but due to sustaining a stress fracture in her heel, her integration was delayed until 7 October.The production featured on ITV's reality show, The Big Audition, to cast the replacement Velma. Following multiple rounds of singing, dancing and acting auditions, Laura Tyrer was selected to fill in for the role.
There have been ten North American national tours ofChicago.The first tour started in April 1997 inCincinnati, Ohio, six months after the revival opened on Broadway. The cast featuredCharlotte d'Amboise(Roxie Hart),Jasmine Guy(Velma Kelly),Obba Babatundé(Billy Flynn) andCarol Woods(Matron "Mama" Morton). A second company started in December 1997 inTampa, Florida.The tour went on hiatus in Fall 1999 and started again in October 1999 inDenver, Colorado, featuringRobert Urichas Billy Flynn,Vicki Lewis(Velma) andNana Visitor(Roxie).The next tour started in October 2000 inStamford, Connecticut, with Robert Urich. Chita Rivera joined the tour for several weeks.
The 2003 tour started in June 2003 at theNational Theatre,Washington, DC, withBrenda Braxtonplaying Velma,Bianca Marroquinas Roxie, andGregory Harrisonas Billy Flynn.During 2004 the tour cast includedAlan ThickeandTom Wopatas Billy Flynn andCarol Woodsas Matron "Mama" Morton.The most recent tour started in November 2008 inCharlotte, North Carolinaand starred Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn, Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly andRoz Ryan(later replaced by Carol Woods) as Matron "Mama" Morton.On January 16, 2012 Peruvian actorMarco Zuninojoined the cast as Billy Flynn.
For its annual fully staged musical event, theHollywood Bowlproduced a limited run ofChicagofrom July 26-28, 2013, directed byBrooke Shields. The cast includedSamantha Barksas Velma Kelly,Ashlee Simpsonas Roxie Hart,Stephen Moyeras Billy Flynn,Drew Careyas Amos Hart, andLucy Lawlessas Mama Morton.
On 14 June 2018, the Gordon Frost Organisation announced a revival tour ofChicagocommencing early 2019 at theCapitol TheatreinSydney.The show starredNatalie Bassingthwaighteas Roxie andCasey Donovanas Mama Morton.The Melbourne leg of the tour starredJason Donovanas Billy Flynn.Donovan's fatherTerencehad played the same role in the 1981 Australian production.
A new UK and Ireland tour began on September 11, 2021 at theKing's Theatre, Glasgow.
Australian theatrical producers John Frost (For Crossroads Live Australia) and Suzanne Jones (For Jones Theatrical Company) have confirmed they are uniting once more to bringChicagoback to Australia. This 2023/2024 production ofChicagowill have its premiere at Perth’s Crown Theatre from November 2023, with a Brisbane season at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Lyric Theatre to closely follow in January 2024. Two months later in March 2024, Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne will host the production, And opens in August at the Festival Theatre Adelaide. Australia musical theatre starAnthony Warlowportrayed the role of Billy Flynn oppositeLucy Maunderas Roxie Hart.
Chicagohas been produced several times in Denmark. The earliest productions were atAarhus TeaterandAlléscenen, both in 1976, with the latter notably starringSusse Woldas Roxie Hart,Lisbet Dahlas Velma Kelly, andBent Mejdingas Billy Flynn.Chicagohas subsequently been produced at Det Danske Teater in 1977,Mercurteatret in 1988,Odense Teaterin 1989,and Nørrebros Teater in 1992.Recently,Chicagohas been produced twice atDet Ny Teater. The first production opened September 2007 and starredBirgitte Hjort Sørensenas Roxie Hart, Julie Steincke as Velma Kelly, and Peter Jorde as Billy Flynn.The second production opened January 2017 and starredMaria Lucia Rosenbergas Roxie Hart and Tomas Ambt Kofod as Billy Flynn, with Steincke reprising her role of Velma Kelly.A new production ofChicagoat Aarhus Teater opened May 2024.
The first Japanese-language production of the Tony-winning revival of Kander and Ebb'sChicagodebuted in October 2008 at the Akasaka ACT Theatre in Tokyo, Japan, followed by an engagement at Osaka's Umeda Art Theatre. Presented by Barry and Fran Weissler in association with Tokyo Broadcasting System, Inc. and Kyodo Tokyo Inc., the b production starredRyoko Yonekuraas Roxie Hart,Yōka Waoas Velma Kelly andRyuichi Kawamuraas Billy Flynn.
InPeru, the musical opened on June 16, 2012 starringTati Alcántara,Denisse Dibós, andMarco ZuninoatTeatro Municipal de LimainLima.The show was also staged using a Spanish translation in Costa Rica in 2017 starring Silvia Baltodano and Isabel Guzman.
A French-language production ofChicago, based on the Broadway 1996 revival, opened on September 18, 2018 atThéâtre MogadorinPariswithSofia EssaïdiasVelma Kelly, Carien Keizer asRoxie Hartand Jean-Luc Guizone as Billy Flynn. Directed by Dominique Trottein with a book translated by Nicolas Engel, this production is choreographed byAnn Reinkingand the music was supervised byRob Bowman. This production closed on June 30, 2019.
In March 2019, the U.S. national touring cast completed a nine-day, 16-performanceChicagoresidency atHeichal HaTarbutinTel Aviv, with Israeli singer and actressShiri Maimonreprising the role of Roxie Hart that she previously held on Broadway.
TheStratford FestivalinOntario, Canada, presented an entirely new production ofChicagoas part of their 2020 season; the organization was granted new production rights outside of New York or London for the first time in 30 years. It was directed byDonna Feore.
A new production directed byDrew Anthonyand choreographed by Lauren Ferreira was staged at The Royale Theatre at Planet Royale during September 2022, with 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.
There have been severalcast recordingsofChicago: