The Australian production of the multi-award winning and record breaking musical CHICAGO is back in Melbourne! This time around, the production brings some of the biggest names in Aussie talent and locks them away in Cook County Jail, where we see them all successfully steal the show. It’s easy to see why CHICAGO is the longest running American musical in Broadway and West End history, and the Australian cast manages to bring the glitz, glamour and jazz to life; taking us on an adventure filled with murder, enticing choreography and a lust for fame.
CHICAGO boasts some of Australia’s household names – with the fame-obsessed murderess and bedroom chorus girl Roxie Hart played by Lucy Maunder, and glamorous vaudevillian Velma Kelly by musical theatre star Zoë Ventoura. The pair have an incredible energy on-stage as their rivalry and comradery blossoms throughout the show. Asabi Goodman shines as prison warden Matron ‘Mama’ Morton, and the charismatic lawyer of the people, Billy Flynn, is played by superstar Anthony Warlow. Peter Rowsthorn, who plays Roxie’s innocent but lovable husband Amos Hart, brings in the laughs; the cast finding the sweet spot for cynical comedy.
Highlights from Act I include Velma Kelly opening with All That Jazz, Velma and Mama Morton’s iconic Whatever Happened to Class?, as well as the origin story of each inmate with Cell Block Tango. Asabi Goodman dishes up a stand-out performance of When You’re Good To Mama, and Lucy and Zoë deliver on the duet of My Own Best Friend. In Act II, we laughed and we cried as Peter Rowsthorn performed his comedic routine of Mr Cellophane, and Anthony Warlow took over with Razzle Dazzle.
CHICAGO is tongue-in-cheek, hilarious and is extremely self-aware. With the characters far from perfect – each rough around the edges and on their own personal agenda – be warned that these hardened criminals will find a way to melt your heart.
CHICAGO will be playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne before heading to Sydney and Adelaide.
For tickets, please click here.
Photo Credit: Jeff Busby