THEATRE REVIEW: "Chicago: the musical" ... in Chi-Town (Chicago, IL)

      On June 9th, 2011, I saw the John Kander / Fred Ebb musical "Chicago" at the Oriental Theatre (now called the Nederlander Theatre) in Chicago, IL with my Aunt Dana and Uncle Patrick.  If I remember correctly, I found out the National Tour of "Chicago" was coming to...well... Chicago, and asked Dana if she wanted to go.  She not only wanted to go, but she paid for the tickets.  

     Starring in this production was John O'Hurley, who played Jay Peterman in "Seinfeld."   Starring as Roxie Hart in this production was Tracy Shayne.  She played Cosette in "Les Misérables" during its early years on Broadway, and sung the role in the Complete Symphonic Recording of the musical.  Terra C. MacLeod played Velma Kelly in this production.  Other cast members in this production included Ron Orbach (Amos Hart), Roz Ryan (Mamma Morton), and T.W. Smith (Mary Sunshine).  This was a talented cast, and a real treat to watch during a fun night at the theatre.

     

   

                                                                             This was my first time seeing "Chicago: the musical" on stage.  It was much more risqué than the movie, which I saw in the movie theater the year it was released (and many times since then).  Similar to how I like to say "the book is better than the movie," I like being able to say "the stage version is better than the  movie."  When it comes to "Chicago: the musical,"  I am not sure which I like better.  I was certainly in good spirits when seeing this production.  I saw it the night before a weekend trip to Cedar Point with Kathryn.  The seats were great too--center loge section, front row.  It was a great vantage point to see all angles of this superb musical, and a superb production. 

Roz Ryan as Mamma Morton (photo by Jeremy Daniel).

     The Original Broadway Production of "Chicago" performed from June 3rd 1975 through August 27th, 1977 (previews began on May 12th, 1975) at the 46th Street Theatre (now called the Richard Rodgers Theatre).  The pre-Broadway World Premiere Production of the musical took place at the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia, where it ran from April 7th through May 3rd, 1975.  The Revival of "Chicago" opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14th, 1996, and has been running ever since (previews began October 23rd of that year).  As of now, "Chicago" is performing at the Ambassador Theatre.  Now that the Broadway Production of "The Phantom of the Opera" will be closing, it will take about ten years for "Chicago" to become the longest running musical in Broadway history.  The Broadway Revival started out as an Encores! concert at New York City Center that ran from May 2nd through 4th, 1996.  

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     On the evening of May 7th, 2019, I went to see  "Chicago: the musical" again.  This time, the national tour was playing down the street from the Oriental Theatre at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, and now starred NFL legend Eddie George as Billy Flynn.  Did I say Oriental?  I meant to say Nederlander.  Anyway, this time around, my seat was on the main floor level, center section--and just a few rows back from the stage.  So when I left during intermission, it was a surprise to me as well.  It wasn't too much money down the drain.  I had won the ticket lottery for this show, so I merely wasted $25 (plus a processing fee and/or a service charge.  Okay, I guess that is still a lot of money. 

     The cast of the tour this time around was just as good as when I saw the musical in 2011.  So I'm not exactly sure why I left during intermission.   I guess I just felt compelled to--or it was an impulse, or something.   It's a shame too, because "Chicago: the musical" has a great finale.  It's possible I was dreading a crowded "commute" home, so leaving halfway through the show gave me a bit of a head start with beating the crowds.  I don't mean literally beating the crowds with a baton.  I mean getting home while it isn't crowded.  Leaving during intermission to avoid crowds is just an excuse though.  I could have avoided crowds by leaving before the bowing started.

     Eddie George delivered a strong performance during the song "The Press Conference Rag" (notice how his mouth never moves... almost).  At the end of the song Eddie George held a note for a long time while drinking a glass of water.  I suppose the song could have been prerecorded... but it was neat, nonetheless.  I don't have a clear memory of John O'Hurley doing that.  I must have been looking forward to the Cedar Point trip.  Either that, or it's because that performance took place way back in 2011.  

     Also starring in this production was Dylis Croman (Roxie Hart), Lana Gordon (Velma Kelly), Jennifer Fouché (Mamma Morton), and Paul Vogt (Amos Hart).  I regret not staying for the second act of the musical.  This was also a talented cast.  Bur after seeing "Chicago" this time around (or the first act of it) I was walking around my apartment mimicking Lana Gordon singing "All That Jazz."  I wasn't mimicking her singing the entire song, but rather the three words "All that jazz."  I must have driven my neighbors bananas... or at least plantains... 

     While the 1996 Revival of "Chicago" was directed by Walter Bobbie, with scenic design by John Lee Beatty, the Original Broadway Production was directed by Bob Fosse, and featured scenic design by Tony Walton.  While the 1996 Revival starred Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, Joel Grey, and James Naughton, the Original Broadway Production starred Chita Rivera, Gwen Verdon, Barney Martin, and Jerry Orbach.  I'm pretty sure the cast of the Pre-Broadway World Premiere Production was the same as the Original Broadway Production.

Ad for the 1975 pre-Broadway World Premiere Production of "Chicago" at the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia.