Adding to the sense of occasion was a first night out together since a fur baby came into our lifes. Many adult beverages were consumed and the rowdy feeling off-stage was perfectly matched by all the action on-stage. The original play came out in the twenties and was based on two real-world court cases. The musical version came out in 1975.

The seventies in retrospect were a time for the expansion of many forms of popular culture and the representation of that era gives this musical its timelessness. The cheeky demeanour of its main participants provides enduring humour and the tightly choreographed nature of the dance moves suits the smallish set. The entire band is given full view at the back of the stage.

Most people know the story of Roxie Hart (Lucy Maunder) and Velma Kelly (Zoë Ventoura) from the film, which is fine but those who have forgotten how invigorating a live performance can be should check this one out. It’s also a feast for the ears with a red-hot live band playing accessible songs that feature more than a dash of attitude.

The musical also features Anthony Warlow as Billy Flynn, Peter Rowsthorn as Amos Hart and Asabi Goodman as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton.

Chicago
Now Playing until 4 February 2024
Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
www.qpac.com.au

“The sharpest, slickest show on the block” (The Times UK) will play at Crown Theatre, Perth from November, the Lyric Theatre QPAC from January 2024, and at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne from March 2024. It was also announced that CHICAGO will play at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney from June 2024 – waitlist now at www.chicagomusical.com.au to be first to buy tickets.

Returning to the stage to play the powerful and glamorous Velma Kelly is one of Australia’s favourite actors, Zoë Ventoura. After starting her career on the musical theatre stage, Zoë spent many years working on television and in film, and is best known for her roles as Mel Rafter in the original cast of Packed To The Rafters and as Dr Alex Nielson in Home and Away. Joining her as the irreverent and determined Roxie Hart is musical theatre star Lucy Maunder, who is currently playing the role of Mrs Banks in Mary Poppins. Lucy has shone in many musical productions including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fun Home, Matilda: The Musical, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Grease and Pippin.

One of Australian theatre’s greatest leading men, Anthony Warlow, will step into the shoes of the cunning and charismatic lawyer Billy Flynn. A beloved and prolific star on Broadway and across Australia, Anthony’s notable musical theatre roles include lead roles in The Phantom of the Opera (The Phantom), The Wizard of Oz (The Wizard), Annie (Daddy Warbucks), The Secret Garden (Archibald Craven), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson), My Fair Lady (Henry Higgins), Man of La Mancha (as Don Quixote), A Little Night Music (Frederik Egerman), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd) and Les Misérables (Enjolras).

As Roxie’s gullible and hapless husband, Amos, will be much-loved comedy icon and character actor Peter Rowsthorn. Recognized as long-suffering husband and pants-man Brett Craig on the hugely successful television series Kath & Kim, Peter has performed in many Australian television comedy series and on stage across the country. Following her star turn as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Asabi Goodman joins the cast as the tough and sassy prison warden Matron ‘Mama’ Morton. Asabi has starred in the Australian premieres of Once On This Island, The Revolutionists and Disenchanted.

S. Valeri will feature as the soft-hearted crime reporter Mary Sunshine, while the talented group of ensemble and swings comprises Hayden Baum, Devon Braithwaite, Olivia Carniato, Angelique Cassimatis, Todd Dewberry, Louis Fontaine, Sarah Heath, Scout Hook, Matthew Jenson, Ethan Jones, Savannah Lind, Kristina McNamara, Tom New, Nathan Pinnell, Rania Potaka-Osborne, Priscilla Stavrou and Romina Villafranca.

“What an extraordinary cast we have assembled for CHICAGO,” said producer John Frost. “I’m delighted to bring Anthony Warlow back to the stage after his huge success in New York, in what is surely a perfect role for his talents. How could Velma and Roxie resist this clever and conniving Billy Flynn? I’m very excited to welcome Zoë Ventoura to a Crossroads Live production, in what is sure to be a career highlight as Velma, and to welcome back Lucy Maunder as Roxie after working with her on Dr Zhivago, Grease and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Peter Rowsthorn will be a sensational Mr Cellophane, and Asabi Goodman astounded us in Hairspray so I know will blow the roof off as Matron Mama Morton.

“CHICAGO has everything that people love about a Broadway musical – a story of fame, fortune and all that jazz, one show-stopping number after another and the most amazing dancing you’ve ever seen. We are thrilled to bring the razzle dazzle of this New York institution back to Australia.”

The longest-running show now playing on Broadway, this scorching hot masterpiece includes a glittering score that includes All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango and Razzle Dazzle. Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, it’s no wonder CHICAGO has been honoured with six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, and a Grammy®.

Set amidst the decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer Billy Flynn to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

CHICAGO, which is based on the 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO is choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse and is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie. CHICAGO features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer.

Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery, treachery … and All That Jazz. What else could you desire in a musical? The original and the best, CHICAGO is back. It would be a crime to miss it!

Chicago Australian Tour
Perth – Crown Theatre, From 21 November
Brisbane – Lyric Theatre, QPAC, From 2 January 2024
Melbourne – Her Majesty’s Theatre, From 23 March 2024
Sydney – Capitol Theatre, From 9 June 2024
www.chicagomusical.com.au