London production, the musical closed and lay silent for nearly twenty years. In 1996 New York City Centre’s Encores! program, which takes rarely heard works of America’s most important composers and lyricists and gives them a chance to be performed, selected Chicago for its three-show season. After an enthusiastic reception, producers Barry and Fran Weissler had the revival up and on stage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14, 1996. The show soon moved to the Shubert Theatre where it played until 2003 when it became a New York institution at the Ambassador Theatre on Broadway. Since its revival, it’s hard to believe that such a dramatic and award winning piece of American musical history was once considered “rarely heard.” After eleven recordbreaking years on Broadway, the current revival has been performed in twenty-three countries, translated into ten languages and been graced by an incredible number of top stars. With over 16,000 performances for more than 18 million people, Chicago has grossed more than $850 million. That’s a far cry from cub reporter Maurine Watkins’ $50 a week salary to pen the exploits of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery. A salacious story in 1926, sul-
try musical in 1975 and show stopping blockbuster today, the tales of Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly and Billy Flynn seem like they could be taken from today’s tabloid newsstand. It appears that the answer to Watkin’s “Don’t you love a good murder?” is a most resounding, Yes, yes we do. n Chicago at the Fisher Theatre for one week only May 17–22. Tickets are on sale now at the Fisher Theatre box office, at Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (800) 982-2787. Groups of twelve or more email Groups@BroadwayInDetroit.com (subject line Chicago) or call (313) 871-1132. Chicago performances changed from March 8–13 to May 17–22. Tickets issued for the originally scheduled dates are good for the corresponding rescheduled performance. For example, a ticket for the 8PM show on Tuesday, March 8 is now good for the 8PM show on Tuesday, May 17. Ticketholders wishing to exchange their tickets for alternate performance, or to obtain a refund, may do so prior to 5PM Friday, April 1, 2011 by returning to their original point of purchase. Refunds and exchanges will not be available on originally scheduled tickets after that date.
Brenda Braxton & Company in “All That Jazz” Photo: © Paul Kolnik
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