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Copyright (c) |
Seamless performance
of ‘Chicago’
By Daniel Hines The musical hit ‘Chicago’ now playing at The Fabulous Fox Theater in St. Louis is a bit like its namesake city—dark, hip, and confident in a way that befits the city itself. It’s also smooth, hip and cool. And therein lies a major distinction from the movie of the same name. Whereas the movie featured big name talent and elaborate, almost overstaged (although great) production qualities, this ‘Chicago’ is more understated, making the statement that the show, the music and the choreography are quite enough, thank you, to provide a seamless evening of entertainment. The story is likely familiar to most people by now: Murdering wives in long-ago Chicago who rise to fame for the notoriety of their crime either against husbands or lovers, but who are secure in the knowledge that no woman has ever been executed in Cook County—at least to that point in time.
The two female leads and sometimes protagonists in the show—Velma Kelly, played by Brenda Braxton, and Roxie Hart, played by Bianca Marroquin—offer just the right blend of leggy looks, outstanding dancing and deft comedy touch that remind us that, although based on some real-life events, the show really is nothing more than fantasy. Each has a number that highlights this mix: Ms. Braxton opens the second act, singing ‘I Know a Girl’ perched serpent-like high on a ladder to stage right. The number reflects Velma’s jealousy over Roxie’s success in swinging public opinion, this time with a false pregnancy that gains her wide public sympathy. Ms. Marroquin teams with lawyer Billy Flynn, a corrupt defense lawyer interested only in his $5000 fee and winning each case because he enjoys the fame as much as the murderesses he represents, in a hilarious plotting of Roxie’s defense in which Ms. Marroquin is the ventriloquist’s dummy, albeit a funny one, in which Flynn, played by Gregory Harrison put the words in her mouth. Harrison provides a deft touch with “Razzle Dazzle’, our personal favorite song from the show.
One of the surprise
highlights was Roxie’s long-suffering husband, Amos Hart, played to
perfection by Ray Bokhour. This guy is funny, and probably every man in
the audience that has ever punched a clock, been abused by a boss, taken
for granted by family, could related to ‘Mister Cellophane’ in which
Amos bemoans how everyone looks right through him. Roz Ryan is appropriately hot and hippy and busty as the I can get it for you jail matron singing ‘When You’re Good to Mama (Mama’s good to you)’, the key to living well in the Cook County Jail. ( I hope Martha Stewart has seen this show.) Add to this ensemble, some truly great dancers for whom their numbers come as natural as breathing, and the result is a performance that merits attending by anyone who wants to see really top-notch musical theater.
"Chicago" |
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