No single thing makes the National Theatre’s “Chicago” the superpower musical it is: not Fred Ebb’s and Bob Fosse’s clever story about Roxie Hart, the murderess with the heart of a superstar or John Kander’s tantalizing music or Fred Ebb’s unconventional lyrics or William Ivey Long’s costumes, which turn bodies into sexy sculptures, or Walter Bobbie’s crisp direction or Ann Reinking’s powerful choreography.
All those things work together seamlessly to create this self-aware, utterly and unabashedly theatrical musical, a musical as self-confident and flashy as a circus, where characters are formally introduced and everyone has an exit line.
This new production bubbles with energy, largely provided by two very talented actresses: Terra MacLeod, who plays Velma Kelly, and Charlotte d’Amboise, who plays Roxie Hart.
The musical takes place in late 1920s Chicago, a place where all the worst aspects of the human race are valued most highly. Before the action begins, Velma has been beloved by the press and public for her brazen refusal to accept sexual treachery.
Along comes cellmate Roxie, who has killed her lover and wants to become as famous as Velma. As they vie for the attention of the public and of their shared lawyer, Billy Flynn, the women’s rivalry grows.
In this production Flynn is played by John O’Hurley, who turns the lawyer into a suave ladies’ man, followed by a chorus of beautiful women waving huge white ostrich-feather fans. Kevin Chamberlin plays Amos Hart, Roxie’s morose husband, who sings one of the show’s finest numbers, “Mister Cellophane.” Matron Morton is played with power and humor by Carol Woods, who sparkles in the unforgettable “Class.”
John Lee Beatty’s set emphasizes the theatricality of “Chicago.” The stage is surrounded by an old gilded frame, a reminder that within that space we’ll be seeing just a representation of reality. Inside the frame is another golden frame surrounding the sensational 13-piece orchestra under the direction of Don York. That orchestra brings all of Kander’s raucous, syncopated, 1920s-style music to life, adding lots of “razzle” to the extraordinary “dazzle” already onstage.
If you go
“Chicago”
Where: Natonal Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 12; through April 12
Info: 800-447-7400; nationaltheatre.org
