Greed, murder, corruption. And all that jazz. “Chicago,” one of the highest grossing musicals of all time, razzle-dazzles audiences at the Hippodrome through Sunday.
The musical, based on a play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins, was first performed in 1975. Over the years, the title characters have been played by many different stars, including Bebe Neuwirth, Marilu Henner, Taye Diggs, Billy Zane, George Hamilton and, most recently, Usher and Ashlee Simpson.
Folks who are expecting the elaborate costumes and sets from the 2002 Oscar-winning film will be sorely disappointed. Traditionally, “Chicago” is performed with black costumes on an all-black set, and the version at the Hippodrome is no different. The absence of color helps keep the focus on the actors? talents and doesn?t distract the audience with wild colors and outrageous set design.
Bob Fosse?s choreography often consists of multiple dancers on stage at the same time, making it hard to concentrate on one specific person. The dancing oozes sexuality with clean, sharp lines and is by far one of the best aspects of the performance.
“Chicago” as it is written for the stage is much funnier than the film version. Michelle DeJean, playing Roxie Hart, is definitely the highlight of the show, with perfect comedic timing and no fear of making ugly faces or contorting her body into weird shapes.
Terra C. MacLeod plays Velma Kelly with a style so over-the-top that it becomes distracting. Her Joan Crawford-esque performance is good, but slightly irritating. However, her strong singing voice, incredible dancing ability and timing, especially during the number “When Velma Takes the Stand,” far outweigh the slight annoyance.
Melba Moore as Matron “Mama” Morton is good, too, although her multi-octave singing is much more entertaining than her acting. Her voice has held up well since her days as a singer in the early ?70s, and she wastes no time in letting the audience know she can still hold a long note, stealing the stage during her first number, “When You?re Good to Mama.”
Some of the best numbers for both dance and song include “We Both Reached for the Gun” and “Cell Block Tango.” Perhaps the best sung number is “Class,” a song between Velma and Mama that is both hilarious and sad.
Melba Moore returns to stage in ?Chicago?
Melba Moore, a rhythm and blues singer and actress, returns to Broadway in her portrayal of Matron “Mama” Morton, Cook County Jail?s bribe-taking matron.
“[Big Mama] is fun; she?s strong,” Moore said. “I like making people laugh, and once I got the lines under my belt and the human element started to come out, I really started enjoying the part.”
Moore, who started out as a backup singer for Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Liza Minnelli, is most known for her performance as Lutiebelle in the Broadway show “Purlie,” for which she won a Tony award. She also had musical hits in the ?70s and ?80s, including “I Am His Lady,” “Falling” and “Read My Lips.”
? Emily Campbell
If you go
“Chicago”
» Venue: The Hippodrome, 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore
» Times: 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday
» Cost: $25 to $65
» More info: www.france-merrickpac.com
