Chicago Musical Broadway - West End - Movie

Chicago the musical

The stage play version of Chicago Musical was written as far back as 1926 and concerned itself with real criminals and crimes of the era. The period was rife with crime due to Prohibition laws and their consequences. The stage show in phenomenal and if you can get to see it on Broadway or in the West End you should grasp the opportunity with both hands as the production is second to none. The show transitions very well to other theatres around the world and is well worth a visit, even if it is only a local drama group production. A classy movie version of the musical has been produced too that is very popular. A snippet from the movie is featured below with the ‘all that jazz’ song which is such a classic. Many people have heard of the main characters such as Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly and Billy Flynn even if they cannot recall which musical they featured in.

Chicago women

Many partnerships have played Roxie and Velma down through the years and everyone will have their own preferences as to who they think are the best. I like the movie version featuring Catherine Zeta-Jones (Welsh actress) and Renée Zellweger (American actress) as the terrible twosome but some terrific performances on Broadway by Gwen Verdon (American actress) and Chita Rivera (American actress) in the main roles have received great acclaim.

Chicago Broadway women

Another pairing worthy of mention in the same breath are Ann Reinking (American actress) and Bebe Neuwirth (American actress) but my recommendation is to go to a live, on stage, production if possible. The great thing about seeing a live show is that whenever you hear the music afterwards you will be reminded immediately of the live show. Listening to a CD or MP3 version is then a much more enhanced experience. Likewise with viewing the Chicago movie, even though I thought that Richard Gere (American actor) was miscast as Billy Flynn.

Musical Chicago show

The Chicago story revolves around the 3 main characters:

• Velma Kelly is the beautiful vaudeville star and murderess
• Roxie Hart plays the gorgeous chorus girl, also a murderess
• Billy Flynn features as the top class Chicago lawyer

On Broadway

Chicago is one of the world’s smash hit musicals which has grossed over $900 million worldwide and has been seen by more than 18 million people. The show features corruption, murder, prison cells, nightclub dancers, courtroom drama and a slick lawyer. The play bears a close historical representation of Chicago in the 1920s.

and in the West End

Many theatres around the world have presented Chicago on stage but the most well known productions are playing on Broadway and in the West End. The show was revived on Broadway in 1996 and opened in London a year later.

Chicago the musical CD

The Chicago CD of the original Broadway version is available and many would consider it to be better than the all star movie version. Also available is the Chicago MP3 download format.

The film Chicago won 6 Oscars

Chicago - The Musical (1996 Broadway Revival Cast)

Audio CD, Cast Recording, 1997

Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast) This is a cast recording.

Chicago musical DVD

Chicago video

This a timeless favorite and the movie adaptation holds true with the original Broadway musical of Chicago in 1975. I love the 2 main characters, Velma and Roxie. The best of the songs are All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle but my favorite choices may be different to yours as there are more than 20 songs featured in Chicago musical shows.