Chicago the Musical

  • Composer and Lyricist

    Composer and Lyricist

    Chicago was written and composed by John Kander (composer), Fred Ebb (lyricist/librettist) and Bob Fosse (librettist)
  • Plot of Chicago

    Plot of Chicago

    Chicago was based off a 1926 play called Chicago by Maurine Dallas Watkins, which takes place in Prohibition-era Chicago and the story discusses criminals,crimes and the corruption of the administration in criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal."
  • Characters

    Characters

    The main characters in the musical Chicago are Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly, Billy Flynn, Mary Sunshine, Amous Hart and Marton "Mama" Morton
  • Music Style

    Music Style

    Because of the musical taking place in the 20's, the music style in this musical is heavily jazz based. Many jazz numbers and tape dances are done all throughout the musical to create a very 1920's feel in the atmosphere.
  • Opening Night

    Opening Night

    On June 3rd, 1975 the Musical Chicago had its premiere in the 46th Street Theartre in New York City.
  • Run time in New York

    Run time in New York

    Chicago ran for 936 shows in 46th Street Theartre until 1977
  • Chicago's revival

    Chicago's revival

    In 1996 Chicago was revived in New York and then again a year later down in West End. Since the musical has been revived has has broken the record for the longest running musical to have been revived and the longest running musical on broadway in history.
  • Chicago the movie

    Chicago the movie

    In 2002 the musical Chicago was made into a movie which one 6 Oscars, one of the wins being best picture. The movie was directed by Rob Marshall and a cast that consisted of Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, and Lucy Liu.
  • Present Day

    Present Day

    Chicago still has productions going on, they have many tours that travel the world and all over the US performing this musical.