
Read our 20th anniversary review of Chicago on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre.
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Are you ready for all that jazz? Chicago on Broadway has brought the razzle dazzle for more than 25 years. 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)
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2h 30m (incl. 15m intermission)
October 23rd, 1996
Musicals, Broadway
May be inappropriate for 12 and under. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
By: John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse
Director: Walter Bobbie
Producer: Barry & Fran Weissler, Jujamcyn Theatres in association with Kordan Productions
Cast list: Charlotte d'Amboise (as Roxie Hart), Kimberly Marable (as Velma Kelly), Lili Thomas (as Matron "Mama" Morton), Max von Essen (as Billy Flynn), James T. Lane (as Amos Hart), R. Lowe (as Mary Sunshine), Max Clayton (as Fred Casely)
Design: John Lee Beatty
Lighting: Ken Billington
Costume: William Ivey Long
Choreography: Ann Reinking
Sound: Scott Lehrer
Read our 20th anniversary review of Chicago on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre.
The Tony and Drama Desk Award-nominated actor will enter the production of the classic Kander, Ebb, and Fosse musical at the Ambassador Theatre in November.
The Kander and Ebb musical is the longest-running show on Broadway, with the current revival celebrating its twenty-sixth year at the Ambassadors Theatre.
The veteran stage actress will make her Broadway debut as Matron "Mama" Morton in the long-running musical revival playing at the Ambassador Theatre.
John Kander and Fred Ebb are the songwriting duo behind one of Broadway's longest-running shows and many other theatrical classics that often get revived.
The choreographer behind Chicago, Cabaret, Pippin, and more is known for sultry jazz hands and black hats, but his range spans a wide array of dance styles.
Learn fun facts about the tunes that have brought all that jazz to New York for more than 25 years.
The RuPaul's Drag Race star makes her Broadway debut in the long-running musical.
The musical celebrates its 25th anniversary on Broadway in 2021.
The musical is one of only two shows to do so.
The show's characters and crimes are based on real court cases from the 20th century.
Learn about the musical's record-breaking Broadway revival, its many celebrity casts, how to get tickets, and all that jazz.