For a show that opened over ten years ago, Wednesday night’s performance of Chicago at the National Theater played out as both fresh and relevant. Today’s current obsession with self made celebrities echoes the steamy story of the show’s star Roxie Hart. The “razzle dazzle” musical set in 1920’s Chicago tells the sordid tale of Roxie Hart and her predicament after she murders her lover, Fred Casey. Roxie, played by Charlotte d’Amboise thrives on the media attention her cases receives. She schemes to get herself out of jail while remaining in the limelight by hiring hot shot attorney Billy Flynn played by John O’ Hurley. O’Hurley, best known as Mr. Peterman on Seinfeld, brings his unique blend of wit and charm to the role. The cast also includes Terra C. MacLeod who plays Velma Kelly, Roxie’s cellmate who is replaced as the media’s favorite sensational killer, Kevin Chamberlain as Amos Hart Roxie’s long suffering husband and Carol Woods as “Mama” Morton the cellblock matron. A talented ensemble rounds out the cast as cellmates, press, judge and jury. The performers are backed by a live orchestra that plays the entire score while blending seamlessly into the scenery. It’s not hard to blend in to the dark set that matches the mood of the prison and Roxie’s situation. While the set and costumes were primarily black and white the performances were vibrant and the characters colorful. Musical numbers range from the steamy rendition of “Roxie” to the melancholy “I’m Mr. Cellophane”. The choreography and score are both brilliant and the cast pulled off every number flawlessly. The audience was cheering after every act and the entire crowd was brought to their feet for the finale. It’s no wonder Chicago won six Tony awards in 1997 and a Grammy in 1998. Chicago is as timely and as much fun today and the current touring cast is definitely a winner. Catch Chicago at the National Theater in Washington, DC March 31-April 12, 2009.

For more information about National Theater visit their website

For more information about Chicago The Musical visit the offical website

MusicBox wishes to thank National Theater in Washington, DC, the cast and crew of Chicago and Center Stage Marketing.

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