Kate’s Score: 4 Fosse hip rolls!
Ah Chicago. A city more notorious than famous. You gave us gangsters and mobsters and stories of a city’s dark underbelly that remain unrivalled. It was a city of celebrities who were celebrities for all the wrong reasons. And that is the knife twist in this musical; the bad are rewarded with fame whilst the good are swept aside and forgotten. Quite an indictment of American culture.
This production of Chicago is the minimalist revival created by Walter Bobbie just over two decades ago. It is sexy, slick and rather film noir. Shadows and overhead lighting. Tight, sexy, revealing costuming. Bugs Moran or Al Capone could be in the black spaces. We have the atmospherics. And the many famous musical numbers. Now we just need the performances.
Roxy Hart and Velma Kelly are murderesses hoping to turn their crimes into a publicity machine which will ensure stardom. Natalie Bassingthwaite gives her Roxy a certain sly sense of humour and underlying street smarts – this is no dumb blonde who has fallen victim. She knows exactly how the system works for (and mostly against) women, and she is going to play it, using every trick at her disposal. It is an edgier, refreshing portrayal than usual, and it works. Alinta Chidzey’s stunningly athletic Velma is contrasted as being much more straightforward in her dealings; almost too trusting for her own good. Velma lacks Roxy’s duplicity, and it is almost her undoing. In the end, however, they have both murdered and lied their way to the top and together they praise America for this being possible. It is a chilling outcome.
Casey Donovan’s Mama Morton is brilliant. It is a superstar performance and if this is what Donovan is capable of on the musicals stage, it is to be hoped we see her in many, many more roles. Tom Burlinson as Billy Flynn gathered strength with the evening while Rodney Dobson’s charming Amos is a scene-stealer with ‘Mr Cellophane’, complete with white gloves and jazz hands. J.Furtado is terrific casting as Mary Sunshine.
The real star of Chicago, is, however, the choreography so precisely executed by a stunning ensemble. This execution of Bob Fosse’s signature style, as created by Ann Reinking and re-created by Gary Chryst, is unparalleled in Australian productions. Only in New York and on film have I ever seen Fosse’s work realised so perfectly. Precision, pacing, placement, – it is all there in plenitude. Normally, ensemble members would not be singled out but Andrew Cook, Travis Khan, Hayley Martin and Rachael Ward stepped up in more ways than just dance numbers – but in saying that, the whole ensemble were a marvel.
A couple of issues with sound but more than compensated by an earthy and rather sexy sounding orchestra led by Daniel Edmonds, who also gave us a rather amusing MC. Lighting (Ken Billington) always effective but at its best in the jury scene with a clever use of golden battens.
A rapturous reception on opening night and why not? This is as good as you’ll get on Broadway.
Kate Stratford – Theatre Now
Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, CHICAGO’s sexy, sassy score includes “All That Jazz” and “Razzle Dazzle”, CHICAGO truly is “The sharpest, slickest show on the block” The Times UK.
20 Aug – 13 Oct 2019
Wed – Sat 7:30pm
Tue 7pm
Matinees Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm
Venue: Capitol Theatre
Theatre Company: John Frost and Suzanne Jones
Duration: Approximately 2 hours & 30 minutes, including interval
A true New York City Institution, CHICAGO has everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping song after another; and the slickest dancing in town. No wonder CHICAGO has been honoured with 6 Tony Awards ®, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy ® and thousands of standing ovations.
Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery…all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts”…so begins the international multi-award-winning musical, CHICAGO.
Based on real life events back in the roaring 1920s, jazz slayer Roxie Hart shoots her lover and along with Cell Block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, they fight to keep from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn.
Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, CHICAGO’s sexy, sassy score includes “All That Jazz” and “Razzle Dazzle”, CHICAGO truly is “The sharpest, slickest show on the block” The Times UK.
Ticket Prices
From $59.90
