Are you ready for all that jazz? Chicago on Broadway has brought the razzle dazzle for more than 25 years. See Charmed star Alyssa Milano through November 10 only. Get Chicago tickets on New York Theatre Guide now and have a killer night at the theatre.
The Chicago musical had its Broadway premiere in 1975, directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera. That production ran for two years. New York City Center's Encores! program for seldom revived musicals mounted a brief concert production in 1996, which transferred to Broadway and is the same production still running today.
The Chicago Broadway revival, directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking in Fosse's style, is now the longest-running American Broadway show and longest-running revival in Broadway history. Chicago officially opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14, 1996, and it later moved to the Shubert Theatre and finally the Ambassador Theatre in January 2003.
Chicago on Broadway was nominated for eight Tony Awards in 1997. The show ultimately won six trophies, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Direction of a Musical. The production's highly stylized costumes as well as its Fosse-inspired choreography have made the musical one of the most widely recognised Broadway shows worldwide.
A Chicago film adaptation was released in 2002, starring Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, Richard Gere as Billy Flynn, Queen Latifah as Matron "Mama" Morton, and John C. Reilly as Amos Hart. The film went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture at the 75th Academy Awards, becoming the first movie musical to do so since Oliver! in 1968.
Chicago is based on a same-named 1926 play by journalist Maureen Dallas Watkins, who covered real-life trials like Roxie's and Velma's. Step into the Jazz Age at the Chicago musical, about murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery — and old-fashioned showbiz and razzle dazzle.
Housewife and aspiring vaudevillian Roxie Hart lands in jail for murdering her lover, and she quickly learns that making headlines is the only way to get acquitted. She and veteran vaudeville star Velma Kelly, a fellow murderess, vie for the attention of the press and a smooth-talking lawyer, Billy Flynn, in this satire of celebrity culture and the justice system.
Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse wrote the book for the Chicago musical, with Ebb also writing lyrics and John Kander composing the music.
Along with Cabaret, Chicago is often considered as one of the best pieces of musical theatre from the legendary songwriting duo Kander and Ebb. They won the the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for Chicago, with a jazz-infused score including hits like "Cell Block Tango," "When You're Good to Mama," "Mr. Cellophane," and "Razzle Dazzle."
Chicago is recommended for ages 13 and up, as the show contains strong language and references to sex and crime throughout.
There's nothing quite like experiencing this sizzling show and musical score live! Get Chicago tickets in New York now.
(Photos by Jeremy Daniel)
2hr 30min. Incl. 15min intermission.
Musicals, Drama, Comedy, Broadway, Classic, Stars on Stage, Holiday, Award winners
Ages 13+. Children under 4 are not permitted.
October 23rd, 1996
By: John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse
Director: Walter Bobbie
Producer: Barry & Fran Weissler, Jujamcyn Theatres in association with Kordan Productions
Cast list: Bianca Marroquín (as Roxie Hart), Kimberly Marable (as Velma Kelly), NaTasha Yvette Williams (as Matron "Mama" Morton), Sebastián Yatra (as Billy Flynn), Raymond Bokhour (as Amos Hart), R. Lowe (as Mary Sunshine)
Design: John Lee Beatty
Lighting: Ken Billington
Costume: William Ivey Long
Choreography: Ann Reinking
Sound: Scott Lehrer
4 wheelchair spaces
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Day of week | Matinee | Evening |
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Monday | - | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday | - | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday | - | - |
Thursday | - | 7:00 PM |
Friday | - | 8:00 PM |
Saturday | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
Sunday | 2:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
See why this second-longest-running Broadway show has razzle-dazzled so many audiences. A scorching satire of celebrity culture with classic Kander and Ebb tunes, Chicago shows how two ladies use showbiz pizzazz to get away with murder. Get tickets to witness the criminally fun revival that won six Tony Awards.
Chicago is playing at Ambassador Theatre. The theatre is located at 219 West 49th Street, New York, 10019.
The running time of Chicago is 2hr 30min. Incl. 15min intermission.
The recommended age for Chicago is Ages 13+. Children under 4 are not permitted..
Book tickets for Chicago on New York Theatre Guide.
Tickets for Chicago start at $78.
The music for Chicago is written by composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb. Ebb also co-wrote the show's script with Bob Fosse. They adapted the musical from a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, also titled Chicago.
The songs for Chicago, written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, include "Cell Block Tango," "All That Jazz," "Razzle Dazzle," "Roxie," and "We Both Reached for the Gun." Learn about all the songs in Chicago on Broadway.
Chicago is not recommended for young children; the age recommendation is 13 and up due to its themes of murder, sex, crime, and adultery. Please note that children 4 and younger are not permitted in Broadway theatres.
The current production of Chicago opened in 1996. It was the musical's first revival following its 1996 premiere. Chicago is now the second-longest-running show and longest-running revival in Broadway history.
Walter Bobbie directs the current production of the Chicago musical. He has worked on Broadway as a writer, director, and performer since 1971, and he's also known for staging musicals like Sweet Charity, Footloose, and Bright Star.
New York Theatre Guide's 20th-anniversary review of Chicago calls the show "a living, breathing piece of musical theatre history, which rightfully remains at the Ambassador Theatre and reminds us that all you need is class and, of course, all that jazz," rating it five stars. Chicago is now more than 25 years old, proving the lasting appeal of its story, songs, and talent.
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