Intense, Sizzling & Timeless...

By Ananya Mukherjee
Singapore
After a decade of decadence at Broadway and London’s West End, Chicago, the tale of debauchery woven in a high-intensity musical, was staged at Singapore’s Esplanade Theatre last week.

The overture begins with the words, "Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to see a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery, all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts." Set in the gangster world of Chicago in 1920s, where the city is fuelled by jazz, liquor and murder, Chicago The Musical tells the story of Roxie Hart, a nightclub dancer who dreams of heading a Vaudeville, kills her lover, and then convinces her husband to fund $5000 to hire Chicago’s shrewdest lawyer, the smooth talker Billy Flynn. It is an amazing tale of an ambitious woman facing a death penalty, who awestruck by the glitz and glamour of the showbiz world soon discovers that with a little bending of the truth and media manipulation, one could get away with anything in Chicago—including murder! The message comes clearer with Billy Flynn’s sarcasm as he openly states, “If Jesus was alive today, living in Chicago and had $5000, things would have turned out a bit differently.”

In prison Roxie meets Velma Kelly, a vaudeville star who shot her husband and sister after catching them in bed together. Intense rivalry between Roxie and Velma begins as they each battle for their place in the spotlight, even with a death penalty looming over their heads.

Chicago was written by John Kander and Fred Ebb (the same people who brought you Cabaret) in the 1970s. It has played over 15,000 performances worldwide and has captivated an estimated audience of 17 million across the globe. Honoured with 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Award, a Grammy Award and thousands of standing ovations, Chicago is a musical experience of a lifetime. Though the stage is not exactly as impressive as other Broadway or West End shows, this one concentrates on a high powered, high skilled drama that is accentuated by the jazz, the dancers and the orchestra that forms the centre stage. If you have watched it on silver screen with Richard Gere and Catherine Zeta Jones, it’s time to take in the intensely sizzling theatre version.

And remember with the right songs and dances, you can get away with anything...including murder!