From the first notes of the overture, Chicago was hypnotizing and dynamic. Dancers clad tightly in black slinked across the stage, easily grabbing the audience’s attention. The music was lively, with the orchestra blending right into the background in a giant black box, complete with bleachers. By the time vaudevillian and murderess Velma Kelly (played by Terra MacLeod) began to sing “All That Jazz,” the illusion was complete. Despite the lack of a set or scene changes, Chicago entirely pulled its audience in, inviting them to be a part of an entertaining, if dark, series of events.
Chicago follows the stories of two women in the Cook County Jail in the 1920s, Velma and Roxie, who compete for the attention of the press, and for the best lawyer in town, Billy Flynn.
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Scattered throughout the show was a surprising amount of humor, found both in the dialogue and choreography, from Fred Casely’s (played by Jon-Paul Mateo) energetic preening in the first number, to the constant breaking of the fourth wall by Roxie Hart (Paige Davis) as she shared her confessions and dreams in musical numbers.
Roxie wasn’t the only one breaking the fourth wall, though. With the band’s interesting location center stage, musicians stood side-by-side with the actors. On more than one occasion, the actors pulled the musicians into the action, such as when Billy Flynn (John O’Hurley) commented to the conductor, who stood throughout the production, that if he would play an instrument, they would get him a chair.
The leads were incredibly talented, of course, with marvelous singing voices and enviable dance skills, but the cast as a whole was phenomenal. Carol Woods (who played Matron “Mama” Morton) wowed audiences with her powerful performance of “When You’re Good to Mama.” Todd Buonopane (Amos Hart) was both adorable and pathetic, a perfect portrayal of the dim, loving husband, and Buonopane’s rendition of “Mr. Cellophane” is still stuck in my head.
Chicago was engaging, hilarious and a real delight to see, but sadly, ran only one weekend. The Fox’s next theatrical offering, Evita, has a longer run: October 8 through the 20. For more information on that and other upcoming performances, visit fabulousfox.com, or call 314-534-1111.
