Since 1996, the Tony-winning revival of Chicago has been razzle dazzling audience from across the world. I saw the movie, but I haven't seen it until this past weekend at the Ambassador Theatre (where it has been playing since 2003 after taking house at the Richard Rogers and the Shubert). For those who haven't saw it yet and those thinking for a repeat viewing, I'm glad to report that once-obscured, now-legendary musical has haven't aged a step so far in its now 21st year run.
If you don't know the plot of this show already, let me tell you the details. Unfaithful housewife Roxie Hart (Bianca Marroquin) gets arrested for killing her lover and lands herself in the Cook County Jail alongside vaudeville performer Velma Kelly (Amra-Faye Wright). Kelly herself is doing time there for killing her husband and sister in another result of the act of infidelity.
She even has an advantage over Roxie despite being famous. She's a big star in the Chicago newspapers and she even has the best lawyer in town, Billy Flynn (Tom Hewitt), to guide her to a not guilty plea and a chance to go back to showbiz. But soon, Roxie steals her lawyer and the headlines with the promise of finally getting noticed and being free before someone else steals the spotlight from her.
Director Walter Bobbie and his choreographer (and Bob Fosse's former muse) Ann Reinking has helped to create an evening of sheer, divine escapism for many aplenty. Reinking has recarnated her mentor work's from the original 1975 production and the pulsing, intoxicating dancing amazes with such sinful pleasure. Bobbie even decided to make it look like a vaudeville entertainment by having only one set with the orchestra front and center and the cast using their own devices to make the story come to life. The sizzling songs by John Kander and the late Fred Ebb continue to amaze. Both the lavishing black costumes by William Ivey Long and the nice enough lighting design by Ken Billington give the show its ruthlessly dark touch.
Marroquin plays Roxie as a fierce, tough Kepwie doll with a latino, Judy Garland-like speaking voice. Wright is wonderfully seductive as Velma and Hewitt is excellent as the always-dapper lawyer, Billy. But the evening's two big surprise standouts are LaVon Fisher-Wilson as the sassy Mama Morton and Raymond Bokhour (looking a bit like Zero Mostel) as Roxie's mostly forgotten husband, Amos.
When the revival first opened in 1996 in the aftermath of the OJ and Melendez brothers trials, it was more relevant than it was in 1975. The reason why is that anyone can be a celebrity in the media's eyes thanks to revealing their own "skeletons in the closet" (ex: Sex tapes, committing a crime, divorce, etc.). It still continues to be relevant in this age where reality TV stars can be millionaires and a billionaire himself can become ruler of the free world.
If you're in the need for a relief of cool entertainment from the hot summertime blues, Chicago is surely a good choice for the cure. It would have to be a crime if you miss out on this timeless one.
The Buzz on Chicago:
Rating: *** (Very Good)
Bottom Line: This hot and smokin' musical continues to wow audiences from around the universe in its 21st year run on Broadway. If you haven't seen it before, it's still worth the ticket.
Recommended Best for: Ages 13 and up. Contains adult language and mild sexual material.
Playing at: The Ambassador Theatre on 215 West 49th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Scheduled for a open-ended run. For tickets, go to telecharge.com or call 212-239-6200.
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