Powerhouse Broadway veterans and an ensemble of sexy dancers barely pause this week to genuflect to the city lending its name to their marquee.
Their pause is well worth planning around.
Because this national tour of the John Kander/Fred Ebb musical “Chicago,” at the Bank of America Theatre through March 2, may be the only local opportunity for quite some time to “see your Sheba shimmy shake…and all that jazz.”
And who wants to miss out on that?
The longest-running American musical on Broadway, “Chicago” is based on a 1926 play by “Chicago Tribune” reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, who covered the 1924 trials of celebrity murderesses Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner, models for her characters Roxie and Velma. Set against the backdrop of the 1920s jazz age and changing views on women’s liberation, the cases involving women killing their lovers or husbands are used to satirize the corruption of the criminal justice system. A full history, synopsis and listing of “Chicago” awards and accolades may be foundhere.
Providing all the ole Broadway in Chicago razzle-dazzle necessary for a tremendous night of musical theater are the three leads, each of whom reprises the role they first played on the Great White Way.
Bianca Marroquin made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in 2002 and dazzles in the role on tour. Her “Me and My Baby” extracts every ounce of syrup possible. Terra C. MacLeod has made a career playing the show’s second iconic female lead, Velma Kelly, from the West End to New York and every town in between. MacLeod’s curt, streetwise persona is the perfect foil to Marroquin’s innocent narcissism.
Indeed, this pair is a choreographer’s dream. Touring Choreographer David Bushman and Director David Hyslop get every ounce from their highly energetic cast that sings brilliantly and performs Bob Fosse’s original dance steps to absolute perfection. Shamicka Benn-Moser as “Go-to-Hell Kitty” makes a particularly strong impression.
The third of the leading players’ triumvirate is John O’Hurley as lawyer Billy Flynn. That he’s best known as “Seinfeld”’s J. Peterman is a gross injustice, though likely not to his accountants. In “Chicago,” O’Hurley distinguishes himself as a bona fide triple threat, delivering a truly memorable performance that shows off his wealth of talent. Combined with his striking good looks and “Seinfeld”-generated name recognition, it’s surprising his stage work in “Chicago” (on and off since 2006) has not landed him additional leading-man roles on Broadway.
Additional kudos go to Ron Orbach for his tender portrayal of Roxie’s doormat husband Amos. His “Mr. Cellophane” wraps up the notion of Amos as the only representative of compassion on a stage full of contemptible caricatures.
A nod, too, goes to onstage Music Director Jesse Kissel and his fabulous orchestra who keep the jazz coming all night long and perform the single best Entr’acte in at least one observer’s memory.
All said, if a trip to one of the plethora of Chicagoland jazz clubs is in the offing this week, locals would be wise to rethink those plans. Realize those clubs will still be around the week after.
And the week after that.
But this week, and only this week, the gin is coldest and the piano’s hottest (to say nothing of the dancers) on the “Chicago” theatrical stage at the Bank of America Theatre.
“Chicago” plays through March 2 at the Bank of America Theatre, 18 W. Monroe, Chicago. Tickets range from $30 to $120 (plus fees) and are available by phone at 800-775-2000, in person at all Ticketmaster retail locations and online.
Barry Reszel is a Libertyville-based writer, at-home dad and executive director of the not-for-profit entertainment company Liberty Town Productions.
