Broadway at the Marcus Center presents: CHICAGO THE MUSICAL

The Merry Murderesses of CHICAGO THE MUSICAL doing the Cell Block Tango through January 19th at the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

By Mary Boyle

CHICAGO THE MUSICAL may just be the epitome of Broadway Musicals – it’s certainly the longest running, with a 28-year track record on the 1996 revival, along with an astounding 6 Tony Awards, not to mention the original 1975 production being directed and choreographed by the iconic Bob Fosse.  Big dance numbers, big feathers, memorable music, and scantily-clad ladies – it just doesn’t get much more Broadway than that.  Thankfully, the Broadway at the Marcus Center has brought all that jazz to Milwaukee as part of their 2024-25 series, so Milwaukee area audiences can get a taste of this classic Broadway musical!

Perhaps you’ve seen the 2002 film Chicago, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, and Renée Zellweger, but I can assure you that there is nothing quite like seeing this production pulled off live on stage.  Not only can this cast sing, dance, and act, they’re backed up by a spectacular band, directed by Cameron Blake Kinnear.  With lyrics by Fred Ebb, music by John Kander, and book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, CHICAGO THE MUSICAL features songs that everybody recognizes, even if they’ve never seen the musical or the film, such as the opening number, “All That Jazz,” “Mister Cellophane,” and “Razzle Dazzle.”

Set in the Windy City during the Roaring 20s, CHICAGO THE MUSICAL is based on the true stories of two women who were sent to trial for two separate murders in 1924.  Maurine Dallas Watkins, a journalist for The Chicago Tribune, wrote sensational articles that the public devoured, elevating the women to celebrity status and, quite possibly, assisting in acquitting them both of their charges.  Watkins wrote a play based on the women, also called Chicago, which was successful enough to make its way to Broadway, even inspiring a silent film by Cecil B. DeMille.  Bob Fosse tried numerous times to buy the rights from Watkins to make a musical, but she refused (possibly because she regretted her part in making unjust celebrities).  However, Watkins did sell the rights as a part of her estate upon her death in 1969.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Velma Kelly (Taylor Lane) and Roxie Hart (Ellie Roddy) don’t like each other much, but they have two things in common: they both long to be vaudeville stars, and they’re both awaiting trial for murder in a Chicago prison for women.  Velma, having already had success in the world of vaudeville, is the current media darling until Roxie shows up.  Accused of killing Fred Casely (Brad Weatherford), a man she was having an affair with, Roxie still expects her husband, Amos Hart (Andrew Metzger) to get her off the hook, despite the fact that she cheated on him.  The warden, who goes by Mama (Illeana Kirven), is eager to help if the price is right, and manages to get Roxie the same lawyer as Velma: Billy Flynn (Connor Sullivan), the best lawyer in town.  With sympathetic reporters like Mary Sunshine (D. Fillinger) and a history of women being acquitted, Flynn is certain he can set both women free, but is it freedom the women want, or is it just fame?

Honestly, there isn’t a bad casting choice in the bunch for this production.  Lane and Roddy are simply perfection as Velma and Roxie, respectively, and so much fun to watch.  I was particularly impressed with Connor Sullivan and Roddy in the “We Both Reached for the Gun” number, in which Flynn uses Roxie like a puppet.  Both D. Fillinger as Mary Sunshine and Illeana “illy” Kirven as Mama have spectacular voices and delivered strong performances, and Andrew Metzger as Amos Hart was just right as Mr. Cellophane.  The band was jumping, the performers are beyond sexy, and the production had Broadway hit written all over it – I can’t think of a better way to heat up a Wisconsin winter evening.

CHICAGO THE MUSICAL runs through January 19, 2025, at the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s Uihlein Hall, located at 929 N. Water Street in Downtown Milwaukee. Tickets may be purchased online at www.MarcusCenter.org, calling 414-273-7206 or by visiting the MPAC Box Office.  Groups of 10 or more can secure their seats by calling 414-273-7207.
 
​About Marcus Performing Arts Center
A mission-based non-profit organization located in downtown Milwaukee, the Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) brings high-quality arts and cultural programming to Southeastern Wisconsin. MPAC strives to act as an energizing force that connects the community to the world through collaboration, innovation, social engagement, and the transformative power of the performing arts. Through multiple performance series, community events, and educational experiences, MPAC brings a diverse range of celebrated artists to the region. A fixture in Milwaukee for over 50 years, MPAC is proud to be part of the Milwaukee Theater District as well as a dedicated War Memorial facility. Learn more at www.MarcusCenter.org.

Johnson Financial Group, with offices in Wisconsin and Minnesota, is a privately owned financial services company offering banking, wealth and insurance solutions through its subsidiaries, Johnson Bank, Johnson Wealth, and Johnson Insurance Services. For more information visit  johnsonfinancialgroup.com.
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Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office, and Broadway Brands. Led by 22-time Tony-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 48 markets with over 400,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Hamilton. Current productions include & Juliet, Hadestown, Hamilton, Hell’s Kitchen, MJ: The Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Outsiders, and Stereophonic.