Chicago is the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history. This universal tale of fame and fortune has impressed audiences all over the world with popular tunes such as “All That Jazz” and “Cell Block Tango”, since its debut in 1975. It has won 6 Tony Awards, including ‘Best Revival of a Musical’ and even a Grammy Award for ‘Best Musical Theater Album’. 

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Set in the vaudeville scene of the 1920s, the show revolves around Roxie Hart (Lindsey Tierney), who aspires to be a vaudevillian, and stunning vaudeville performer - Velma Kelly (Genevieve Nicole). Entwined in the corruption in the administration of criminal justice in 1920s America, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly became notable figures in the Cook County Jail, accused of being murderers. They soon rose to become ‘celebrity criminals’, vying for the limelight of being the headliner of the Chicago Tribune, with Roxie harbouring the mindset that the fame will finally kick-start her vaudeville career. 

Photo Courtesy of www.jbabiesinthedaisies.com 

Chicago opened in Singapore on the night of the 8th of February at the MasterCard Theatres for its latest international tour. For this production, Chicago had an overall stage setting that was sophisticated; comprising of elevated platforms in the middle of the stage that featured an 11-piece orchestra and a rousing conductor. The platforms function as entrances and exits of various locations in the musical, with most of the action taking place on the forestage. Having watched musicals such as Wicked and Hairspray, which boasted elaborate, colourful and continually-changing sets, the set of Chicago may look dull at first glance. However, as the musical progresses, the set is brought alive by the effervescent characters and vaudeville dancers. 

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The actors and actresses held the attention of the audience, and the absence of an elaborate set helped by allowing the audience to focus on the wonderful storytelling done by the cast. The musical opens by breaking the ‘fourth wall’ (the conceptual barrier between fictional work and its viewers), with a vaudeville girl welcoming the audience to the show, which then saw the entrance of Velma Kelly, captivating the crowd with the sultry “All That Jazz”. 

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The show made great use of humour, sex appeal, irony, and it’s almost like a mini history lesson on the Vaudeville Era of America. A legendary musical jam-packed with great music, dancing, singing and captivating storytelling, Chicago is not a show to be missed. It plays from the 8th of February 2017 at the MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands all the way till the 26th of February 2017. 

Writer: Wee San

Editor: Prashain