Chicago

In 1996, it’s a fantastic journey for audience on Broadway to enjoy Chicago revival. In winter of 2004 and 2006 again, it is me that is so fortunate. If you are expecting joy of a romantic comedy or heartquake from a touching tragedy, don’t try Chicago. But you are welcome to experience amusement and thinking from it on condition that you are willing to know some aspects of the world we are in. Based on a distinguished front page in 1920s, Composer John Kender and lyricist Fred Ebb, a golden partnership in 60s and 70s, adapted the story into an American dream filled with murder, greed, corruption, violence, adultery and treachery, “all the things we hold near ...  Read the complete review

Last night, for my middle daughter’s birthday treat, three of us (my daughters aged 14 and 12 and I) went to the Bristol Hippodrome to see Chicago on stage. We are all fans of the film and play the CD quite a lot, so we were already familiar with the story and the music, but seeing a musical on stage is always a special experience. THE STORY (for those that don’t know it) Velma Kelly is a successful theatrical performer. Roxie Hart isn’t, but would love to be. While hubby Amos is away, Roxie has an affair with Fred Casely. He threatens to leave her, so she shoots him. She ends up in jail for murder and could face the death ...  Read the complete review

Last week I went to see Chicago the musical at the Adelphi Theatre in London?s West End as a big fan of musicals I thought I would share my views on this production with you as the cast has changed as of 21st June 2004. *SYNOPSIS* Without completely giving the plot away I?ll summarise the storyline of Chicago. Welcome ladies and gentlemen you are about to see a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery. All things we hold dear to our hearts. And so the show begins? The story is set in the ...  Read the complete review

Chicago, Illinois: The Late 1920’s. Location: A whoopee spot where the piano’s hot. And all that jazz. It seems strange seeing Chicago and reflecting on the show in light of having seen Miss Saigon. The latter, from myself anyhow, received five stars for it’s sheer size and spectacle of set, score and story. To give Chicago the same five red stars for a show where minimalism is the in-thing is quite an alarming thing to do. Chicago is simplicity itself. You see where other musicals try to out do each other in terms of the grand spectacle – Miss Saigon has the helicopter, Phantom the Chandelier and Les Miserables the Barricades ...  Read the complete review

Chicago the musical is undergoing a brand new lease of life at the moment. The combined 'bums on seats' appeal of Denise Van Outen and Alison Moyet has meant that more people are seeing Chicago than ever before. Denise has since gone to maybe star in the Broadway version but Alison Moyet is still on board but is Chicago any good? Well, let's begin with the opening line of the show: "Welcome ladies and gentlemen- you are about to see a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery. All those things we hold dear." None the wiser? Well- put it this way Chicago is not your tradtional ...  Read the complete review