Musical review: ‘Chicago’ is very entertaining at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre

DETROIT — Lights, camera, action!  “Chicago” the musical returns to Detroit at the Fisher Theater for six days only, February 9-14.   The Chicago orchestra is located on the stage of this performance.

Set in the 1920’s, the first song was the famous “All That Jazz.”  This is a tale of fame, fortune, love, greed, murder and jazz with lots of dancing and singing.  One thing I noticed is that there were no costume changes.  The entire cast wore the same outfits throughout the whole show

Roxie Hart, played by Dylis Croman, is a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her lover after he says he’s going to leave her.  Her goal is to become famous and get into Vaudeville.  So the news hits the newspapers.  Then enters a corrupt lawyer named Billy Flynn, played by John O’Hurley, who tries to get her off the hook.  Hurley sings “All I Care About is love.”  One thing I thought was funny was when Hurley says to the orchestra conductor “If you get yourself a real instrument, they would give you a chair.”

Velma Kelly, played by Terra C. MacLeod, is Roxie’s cellmate and  wants the two of them to become a sister act, to revive her career.  Mama Morton, played by Detroit’s Roz Ryan, advises the girls.  Amos Hart, played by Paul Vogt, is Roxie’s husband who is an unattractive slouch, but funny in his own way.  He is the nice guy of the bunch.

To stay in the newspaper headlines, Roxie claims she is pregnant.  And it is confirmed.  So, did she or did she not become a vaudeville star?

Bob Fosse, the legendary choreographer of the 1976 version of “Chicago” spent lots of time in burlesque halls.  “Chicago” is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.

This razzle-dazzle show is very entertaining.  Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m., Sunday evening performance at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.  Ticket prices range from $34-$79 (includes parking and facility fees) and are available at all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 800-982-2787 or online at www.broadwayindetroit.com.  The Fisher Theatre is located at  3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, Michigan.

Overall Rating:  B