01 September - 31 May
USA - New York (NY)
Monday
CHICAGO THE MUSICAL
Chicago The Musical Story & Characters
What is Chicago The Musical about?
Inspired by a true story, Chicago The Musical follows two female murderers who transform from criminals into celebrated personalities during 1920s Prohibition-era Chicago.
The story centers around Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who murders her lover Fred Casely and ends up imprisoned in Cook County Jail. There, she meets Velma Kelly, a vaudeville performer who killed her husband and sister after discovering their affair, as well as criminal defense attorney Billy Flynn.
Roxie and Velma compete for the attention of Billy Flynn who – for a fee – specializes in transforming guilty clients into sympathetic media darlings. While the focus on Roxie becomes brighter, Velma’s fades much to the chagrin of the more seasoned inmate.
Ultimately, both women are acquitted of their crimes thanks to media manipulation and America’s love of sensational celebrity culture.
Who are the main characters in Chicago The Musical?
Roxie Hart – protagonist; Amos’ wife, inmate at Cook County Jail
Velma Kelly – principal antagonist; inmate at Cook County Jail
Billy Flynn – criminal defense attorney to Roxie and Velma
Amos Hart – Roxie’s husband
Mama Morton – prison matron
Mary Sunshine – gossip columnist
Chicago The Musical Creative Team, Premieres & Original Casts
Who is the creative team behind Chicago The Musical?
(from Chicago The Musical Official Site)
Music; Book/Lyrics: JOHN KANDER AND FRED EBB
Co-Author, Original Director, and Choreographer: BOB FOSSE
Director: WALTER BOBBIE
Choreographer: ANNE REINKING
Set Design: JOHN LEE BEATTY
Costume Designer: WILLIAM IVEY LONG
Lighting Design: KEN BILLINGTON
Sound Design: SCOTT LEHRER
Orchestrations: RALPH BURNS
Script Adaptation: DAVID THOMPSON
Supervising Music Director: ROB FISHER
Music Director: JOHN BELL
Dance Supervisor: GARY CHRYST
Dance Music Arranger: PETER HOWARD
When did Chicago The Musical premiere on Broadway and The West End?
Broadway Revival Opening: June 3, 1996 at Richard Rodgers Theatre (New York City). Moved to the Ambassador Theatre on January 23, 2003.
West End Revival Opening: November 18, 1997 at the Adelphi Theatre (London). Moved to the Cambridge Theatre in April 2006. Moved to the Garrick Theatre on November 7, 2011. Closed on September 1, 2012.
Who were the original casts of Chicago on Broadway and The West End?
Broadway Revival Cast
Roxie Hart: Ann Reinking
Velma Kelly: Bebe Neuwirth
Mama Morton: Marcia Lewis
Billy Flynn: James Naughton
Amos Hart: Joel Grey
Mary Sunshine: David Sabella
West End Cast
Roxie Hart: Ruthie Henshall
Velma Kelly: Ute Lemper
Mama Morton: Meg Johnson
Billy Flynn: Henry Goodman
Amos Hart: Nigel Planer
Mary Sunshine: Charles Shirvell
Chicago The Musical Awards
Which awards did Chicago win for their Broadway Revival in NYC?
1997 Tony Awards
Best Musical Revival: Chicago
Best Actress in a Musical: Bebe Neuwirth
Best Actor in a Musical: James Naughton
Best Director of a Musical: Walter Bobbie
Best Choreography: Ann Reinking
Best Lighting Design: Ken Billington
1997 Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Revival of a Musical: Chicago
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Bebe Neuwirth
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Joel Grey
Outstanding Director of a Musical: Walter Bobbie
Outstanding Choreography: Ann Reinking
Outstanding Lighting Design: Ken Billington
1997 Outer Critics Circle Awards
Outstanding Revival of a Musical: Chicago
Outstanding Director of a Musical: Walter Bobbie
Outstanding Choreography: Ann Reinking
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Bebe Neuwirth
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Joel Grey
Outstanding Lighting Design: Ken Billington
Which awards did Chicago win for their West End Revival in London?
1998 Laurence Olivier Awards
Outstanding Musical Production: Chicago
Best Actress in a Musical: Ute Lemper
Which other awards has Chicago The Musical won?
1997 Grammy Awards
Best Musical Cast Show Album: Chicago
Upcoming Chicago Performances in 2025 & 2026
Where are there Chicago shows near me?
You can find the next few performances of Chicago below or check out the FULL MUSICAL THEATRE SHOW CALENDAR where you can filter results by country, city, and date.
12 - 17 May
USA - Philadelphia (PA)
Tuesday
No event found!
Chicago The Musical Music & Videos
Soundtrack of Original Original Broadway Cast Recording (1996)
What is the Act 1 songs list for Chicago?
ACT ONE
Overture
All That Jazz
Funny Honey
Cell Block Tango
When You’re Good to Momma
All I Care About
A Little Bit of Good
We Both Reached for the Gun
Roxie
I Can’t Do It Alone
I Can’t Do It Alone – Reprise
My Own Best Friend
What is the Act 2 songs list for Chicago?
ACT TWO
Entr’acte
I Know a Girl
Me and My Baby
Mister Cellophane
When Velma Takes the Stand
Razzle Dazzle
Class
Nowadays
Hot Honey Rag
Finale
YouTube Playlist of Chicago The Musical
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