Chicago is one of those musicals that has it all – sex, murder, debauchery, a mostly scantily-clad cast, and a suite of toe-tapping songs.
Chicago is set amidst the decadence of the 1920s. The story focuses on Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer Billy Flynn to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.
Led by musical legend Anthony Warlow as the ruthless Flynn, this new production boasts Zoë Ventoura as Velma Kelly, Lucy Maunder as Roxie Hart, Peter Rowsthorn as Amos Hart and Asabi Goodman as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton. Maunder is excellent as Roxie, fully pouring her heart and soul into the role.
Worthy of mention also is S Valeri as star reporter, Mary Sunshine, Flynn’s confederate in telling these femme fatales’ traumatic stories in the hopes of influencing juries. I was captivated by the vocal range each time Valeri sang.
All the familiar songs are incorporated here. The most energetic ones occurring in the first half, reaching a crescendo with the fabulous ‘Reached for the Gun’, coming together using the entire ensemble.
If you choose to drive, road works are still ongoing around the centre. However with a performance also at the Concert Hall, exiting the carpark was surprisingly swift. Casual parking rate is cheaper than pre-booking.
Chicago is now playing at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC until 4 February.
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