Are you ready for all that jazz? Chicago has been going strong on Broadway for more than 25 years. Get Chicago tickets on New York Theatre Guide now.
The Chicago musical had its Broadway premiere in 1975, directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera. That production ran for two years. New York City Center's Encores! program for seldom revived musicals mounted a brief concert production in 1996, which transferred to Broadway and is the very same production still running today.
The revival, directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking in Fosse's style, is now the longest-running American Broadway show and longest-running revival in Broadway history. Chicago officially opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14, 1996, and it has since moved to the Shubert Theatre and finally the Ambassador Theatre in January 2003.
Chicago on Broadway was nominated for eight Tony Awards in 1997. The show ultimately won six trophies, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Direction of a Musical. The production's highly stylized costumes as well as its Fosse-inspired choreography have made the musical one of the most widely recognised Broadway shows worldwide.
A Chicago film adaptation was released in 2002, starring Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, Richard Gere as Billy Flynn, Queen Latifah as Matron "Mama" Morton, and John C. Reilly as Amos Hart. The film went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture at the 75th Academy Awards, becoming the first movie musical to do so since Oliver! in 1968.
What is the Chicago musical about?
Chicago is based on a same-named 1926 play by journalist Maureen Dallas Watkins, who covered real-life trials like Roxie's and Velma's. The Chicago musical is about murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery — and old-fashioned showbiz and razzle dazzle.
Housewife and aspiring vaudevillian Roxie Hart lands in jail for murdering her lover, and she quickly learns that making headlines is the only way to get acquitted. She and veteran vaudeville star Velma Kelly, a fellow murderess, vie for the attention of the press and a smooth-talking lawyer, Billy Flynn, in this satire of celebrity culture and the justice system.
Who wrote the Chicago musical?
Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse wrote the book for the Chicago musical, with Ebb also writing lyrics and John Kander composing the music.
Along with Cabaret, Chicago is often considered as one of the best pieces of musical theatre from the legendary songwriting duo Kander and Ebb. They won the the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for Chicago, with a jazz-infused score including hits like "Cell Block Tango," "When You're Good to Mama," "Mr. Cellophane," and "Razzle Dazzle."
Is the Chicago musical kid-friendly?
Chicago is recommended for ages 13 and up, as the show contains strong language and references to sex and crime.
There's nothing quite like experiencing this sizzling show and musical score live! Get Chicago tickets in New York now.
(Photos by Jeremy Daniel)
