CHICAGO

Book by John Kander & Bob Fosse

Music by John Kander

Lyrics by Fred Ebb

Re-creation of Original New York Production Direction by Tania Mardini

John Frost for Crossroads Live and Jones Theatrical Group

Canberra Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre to 29 September

 

Reviewed by Len Power 11 September 2024

The original production of “Chicago” opened on Broadway back in 1975 and had a good run of over 900 performances. The Broadway revival that opened in 1996 is still running and is now the second longest running show ever on Broadway. The production currently playing here in Canberra is an Australian re-creation of that 1996 revival.

Set in Chicago in the jazz age, the story satirises corruption in the justice system in America when two women on trial for murder attempt to gather as much newspaper celebrity as possible to gain an acquittal. They then hope to use their notoriety to launch a variety stage career.

Beginning with the song, “All That Jazz”, the musical score presents one hot number after another with clever lyrics and music reminiscent of fast and furious jazz age America. The songs are presented by an expert cast who really know how to put these numbers over to great effect and the music is well-played by the orchestra.

Zoё Ventoura (Velma Kelly) and Lucy Maunder (Roxie Hart)

The two “merry” murderesses, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, are played by Lucy Maunder and Zoё Ventoura respectively. Both women give fabulous singing and dancing performances, endearing their characters to the audience in spite of the horrific crimes they have clearly committed.

Their cynical and smooth lawyer, Billy Flynn, is played by Anthony Warlow who shines in his songs, “All I Care About Is Love” and ‘Razzle Dazzle”. He also gives and gives a superbly comic performance of the ventriloquist number, “We Both Reached For The Gun”.

 

Anthony Warlow (Billy Flynn) and female ensemble

Asabi Goodman is excellent as the formidable gaoler, Matron “Mama” Morton and Peter Rowsthorn is Roxie’s hapless husband, Amos Hart, who performs his song, ‘Mr Cellophane”, appealingly. Devon Braithwaite as Fred Casely, the murdered lover of Roxie Hart, oozes a reptilian sex appeal that is both attractive and funny at the same time. S. Valeri gives a very good performance as the sympathetic tabloid columnist, Mary Sunshine.

Female ensemble of "Chicago"

One of the major attractions of this show is the choreography in the style of Bob Fosse, the original 1975 show’s director. His angular and sexy style of dance gives “Chicago” its characteristic atmosphere and purpose. The slinky and brief black costumes that originated in the 1996 revival ensure that the focus is on exposed parts of the body and their movement and positioning in dance. The large cast of dancers give an outstanding performance of this demanding style.

It’s a highly entertaining, sexy and colourful show that delivers on all levels and is a sheer delight from start to finish.

 

Photos by Jeff Busby

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.