Broadway in Chicago just delivered the perfect present for Mother’s Day gift procrastinators. Through Sunday only, the smash-hit “Chicago” will have moms – and everyone else for that matter – laughing and toe tapping along with tart housewife and nightclub dancer-turned-murderess Roxie Hart, her hapless husband, Amos, and sultry fellow murderess, Velma Kelly.
True to the original, this show has the feel of a ‘20s smoky cabaret, with see-through shirts and tight pants for the men and playful, revealing outfits for the women, along with a cast that can move and sing as the brass-dominated orchestra lead by Andrew Bryan fills the stage with its roaring music.
From the first note, Velma (Lana Gordon) sets the tone for the show with her jazzy voice and amazing stage presence. She is accused of killing her sister and husband for a tête-à-tête using move No. 17 of their stage act, the spread eagle and until Roxie arrives, is the media darling.
But the show soon belongs to Dylis Croman’s Roxie, who takes on a role she knows well having recently performed in New York City on Broadway. Amos (Paul Vogt) does steal the spotlight in Act II when he had people all around us laughing big hearty laughs.
Roxie kills her lover when he threatens to walk out on her, but turns to deception to save her skin and deceive the court of public opinion. She convinces Amos to lie for her, only to have him find out she cheated on him. He can’t let her go, however. Roxie also gets an assist from lawyer Billy Flynn. In this Chicago performance, Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Pro Bowler Eddie George is a formidable, likeable character even if he also comes off as a sleazy lawyer who’ll get Roxie and the other ladies on murderers’ row off for $5,000 by any means possible.
With top tier acting, singing and dancing, every mom would love this as a gift this Mother’s Day. But hurry, “Chicago” is only in Chicago until Sunday.
Chicago
- Cadillac Palace Theater, (151 W. Randolph)
- Shows are Wednesday-Friday, May 8-10 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 11 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday May 12 at 2 p.m.
- broadwayInchicago.com
