Music, Sex and Razzle-Dazzle in “Chicago ”
By Skip Sheffield
A hot band, even hotter dancers, a dynamic duo of leading ladies
and the most dapper and handsome Billy Flynn ever are the hallmarks of “Chicago,”
which kicks off a new season Broadway Across America through Oct. 20 at Broward Center
for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale .
The winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical
revival, “Chicago,” which debuted on Broadway in 1975, is the best work by the songwriting
team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, working with famed director-choreographer Bob
Fosse. It is indeed one of the most popular musicals of all time.
“Chicago ”
is first and foremost a satire about everything sleazy in American politics,
law and culture. It is set in the appropriately lawless Roaring 20s in the city
of the title.
The show begins with a short prologue by a statuesque
showgirl promising a show about “All the things we hold near and dear to our
heart:” sex, booze, crime, corruption and publicity.
Velma Kelly (Terra C. MacLeod) and Roxie Hart (Anne Horak)
are currently incarcerated and waiting trial for murder in the not unfriendly
cellblock ruled by “Mama” Thornton (Carol Woods). We get to see Roxie plug her
boyfriend Fred (Jon-Paul Matero) as setup for “The Cell Black Tango” with its
refrain, “He had it coming.”
Both women have hired the slick, expensive, and utterly
insincere lawyer Billy Flynn (John O’Hurley) as their attorney. Flynn
celebrates his hypocrisy in the ironic ballad “All I Need (is love).”
O’Hurley, best known for his 14 years as J. Peterman on the
“Seinfeld” TV show, fits the role of Billy Flynn as perfectly as his tailored
tuxedo. O’Hurley has played Flynn countless times in countless productions, yet
he keeps it fresh in a cleverly tongue-in-cheek fashion.
The production features an onstage band that interacts with
the performers on occasion. I must say it is fun to see an ensemble, conducted
by Jack Gaugham, with a banjo, accordion and tuba among its instruments.
Anne Horak is fresh and sweet in the ingénue role of Roxie,
while Terra MacLeod is predictably bitter, catty but unbowed as the older Velma.
The foolish but poignant role of Amos Hart, Roxie’s hapless
husband, is nicely realized by Todd Buonopane in his signature song, “Mister
Cellophane.”
My female companion was nothing short of dazzled by the
virile young dudes who comprise the male dance chorus. I must say the women are
pretty darn agile too.
“Chicago ”
is perfect escapist entertainment in time of trouble, which let’s face it, is
always. Forget real-life political shenanigans for awhile and enjoy them played
for laughs. You have only until Oct. 20 to enjoy this “Razzle-Dazzle.”
Tickets are $34.50-$79.50 and may be reserved by calling
954-426-0222 or going to www.browardcenter.org.
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