All That Jazz and a Whole Lot More! Your complete guide to Chicago

After 28 years, CHICAGO is still the Broadway icon that packs a punch! It’s got it all—fame, fortune, scandal, and all that jazz—wrapped up in a universal tale of ambition and sin. Featuring showstopping tunes and choreography so electric it practically high-kicks off the stage, it’s no wonder this masterpiece has nabbed 6 Tony Awards, 2 Oliviers, a Grammy, and thousands of standing ovations. Don't miss out—here's a complete guide to all things Chicago!

What is Chicago the musical about?

Born from the gritty 1920s Chicago crime scene, Chicago draws inspiration from real murder trials sensationalized by journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins. Fast-forward to the 1970s, and the musical’s satirical themes—corruption, media manipulation, and fame at any cost—became a biting commentary on disillusionment with the American Dream, echoing political scandals of the era.

At its core, Chicago is a scathing critique of the justice system and celebrity culture wrapped in jazz, wit, and toxic ambition. Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two conniving murderesses, charm their way out of trouble, revealing a system where charisma trumps morality. Yet, it’s also a celebration of complex, ambitious women who own their flaws and fight for the spotlight.

What is Chicago musical's plot?

Chicago follows Roxie Hart, a chorus girl with big vaudeville dreams and a knack for trouble. When her lover tries to end their affair, she impulsively shoots him in a jealous rage, landing herself in Cook County Jail. But jail isn’t a dead end for Roxie—it’s her big break. With the silver-tongued lawyer Billy Flynn spinning her tale into headline gold, Roxie becomes Chicago’s sweetheart of scandal.

Inside the jail, she meets Velma Kelly, a vaudeville star with her own sordid backstory of double homicide. As rival inmates fighting for fame, fortune, and Flynn’s favor, the two eventually form a grudging alliance, proving that in Chicago, murder is just another route to the limelight.

Who wrote Chicago the musical?

Chicago, the 1975 musical sensation, brings together John Kander’s jazz-infused score, Fred Ebb’s razor-sharp lyrics, and a book co-written with the legendary Bob Fosse. Set in the roaring Jazz Age, it’s based on Maurine Dallas Watkins’ 1926 play inspired by real-life criminals and the scandalous crimes she covered as a journalist.

When did Chicago premiere?

Chicago first sashayed onto Broadway in 1975, dazzling audiences with 936 performances over two years. But its big encore came in 1996, when New York City Center’s Encores! series revived it Off-Broadway. That revival hit the big stage shortly after and is still jazzing it up on Broadway more than 25 years later—a record-breaking razzle-dazzle run!

Where is Chicago playing on Broadway?

Catch Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre, a prime Broadway hotspot at 219 West 49th Street, nestled between Eighth Avenue and Broadway. Just a stone's throw from iconic neighbors like the Winter Garden, Gershwin, and Circle in the Square theatres, it boasts stunning Adam-style interior plasterwork—a perfect mix of elegance and jazz-age grit!

How long is Chicago the musical?

Chicago the Musical runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission—just enough time to stretch your legs, grab a drink, and get back to the razzle-dazzle.

What is Chicago the musical's age rating?

Chicago is best suited for audiences aged 13 and up due to its mix of strong language, mature themes, and sassy, crime-filled plotlines. It’s a show that doesn’t hold back, so bring your sass—and maybe leave the little ones at home!

History of Chicago the musical

Imagine it’s 1923: Prohibition is the law, three Presidents have come and gone in as many years, and the Jazz Age is roaring. As society shifts post-World War I—industrialization, immigration, and the 19th Amendment granting white women the right to vote—you’re living in a whirlwind of change. Enter the sensational real-life murder trials that inspired Chicago, a satire of the justice system and the rise of "jazz baby" culture.

The musical owes its roots to Maurine Dallas Watkins’s 1926 play, which drew on her Chicago Tribune coverage of the trials of Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner. Beulah, a housewife, and Belva, a cabaret singer, both stood accused of murder, their cases splashed across papers in true Jazz Age flair. Watkins skewered the media frenzy and courtroom theatrics, blending biting wit with social critique.

Between 1921 and 1930, Cook County saw 186 women accused of murdering their spouses, turning crime into a cultural phenomenon. Chicago amplifies these historical echoes, blending the rebellious spirit of 1920s jazz, vaudeville glamor, and a cynical view of fame and justice into an iconic theatrical experience.

Chicago the musical characters

The characters in Chicago are satirical caricatures of showbiz, law, and journalism, blending Jazz Age pizzazz with biting commentary. While not direct parodies of specific figures, they’re rooted in the wild stories and sensational headlines of real-life courtrooms. Meet the main players:

• Roxie Hart: A wannabe vaudeville star with big dreams and a short temper, she lands in jail after shooting her lover for trying to leave her.
• Velma Kelly: A vaudeville queen with a killer double act—literally. She’s locked up for offing her sister and husband, and she’s not too thrilled when Roxie steals her spotlight.
• Billy Flynn: The courtroom’s silver-tongued showman. This lawyer doesn’t just defend his clients; he turns them into celebrities. Win rate? A perfect 100%.
• Matron "Mama" Morton: Cook County Jail’s warden, who runs the prison like a cabaret, trading favors for bribes with a wink and a smile.
• Amos Hart: Roxie’s well-meaning but dim husband, perpetually overlooked by everyone, including his wife. He’s the human equivalent of a sad trombone.
• Mary Sunshine: A reporter with a flair for melodrama, covering every twist and turn of the Roxie-Velma legal circus.

Who is the cast of Chicago on Broadway?

The current cast of the Chicago the musical on Broadway include:

• Bianca Marroquín as Roxie Hart 
• Kimberly Marable as Velma Kelly 
• Natasha Yvette Williams as Matron "Mama" Morton 
• Sebastián Yatra as Billy Flynn 
• Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart 
• R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine 

Chicago musical songs

The soundtrack of Chicago is as sizzling as its storyline, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The score is a jazzy, vaudevillian romp through the highs and lows of ambition, fame, and scandal. A few showstoppers have become musical theatre legends:

• "Cell Block Tango": A spicy confession session from the merry murderesses of Cook County Jail.
• "Razzle Dazzle": Billy Flynn's musical masterclass on courtroom showmanship.
• "All That Jazz": The sultry anthem of Chicago’s nightlife, sung by Velma Kelly.
• "Roxie": A cheeky peek inside Roxie Hart’s fame-hungry imagination.

Which celebrities have performed in Chicago?

Chicago on Broadway is practically synonymous with celebrity cameos, boasting a rotating door of stars from every corner of the entertainment world. The show's leading roles—Roxie, Velma, Billy Flynn, and Mama Morton—have been brought to life by a dazzling array of talent, ranging from stage icons to pop stars, reality TV personalities, and even comedians.

Notable Star Turns

• Roxie Hart: This fame-hungry ingénue has been played by an eclectic mix of stars like Mel B, Christie Brinkley, Erika Jayne, Jennifer Nettles, Bebe Neuwirth, Brooke Shields, Ashlee Simpson, and Michelle Williams.
• Velma Kelly: The feisty vaudeville queen has seen the likes of Ruthie Henshall, Mýa, Leigh Zimmerman, and Carly Hughes strut in her shoes.
• Billy Flynn: Smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn has been taken on by Wayne Brady, Taye Diggs, Cuba Gooding Jr., Usher, and even Jerry Springer.
• Mama Morton: Powerhouse personalities such as Patti LaBelle, Sofía Vergara, Wendy Williams, and Kandi Burruss have belted out as the no-nonsense prison matron.

Fun facts about Chicago the musical

• Chicago holds a record as the longest-running revival in Broadway history and the longest-running Broadway musical written by an American creative team.
• Chicago is the second longest-running show overall, after The Phantom of the Opera.
• The 2002 film adaptation of Chicago won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, making it the first musical to win that honor since Oliver! in 1968.
• Each song in the show mirrors a vaudeville act, with styles inspired by real-life performers like Sophie Tucker and Eddie Cantor, blending entertainment with sharp social commentary.
• Donna Marie Asbury played June in Chicago from 1999 to 2019, a total of 20 years and 71 days and boasts a Guinness World Record for the longest career playing the same character in a Broadway show.
• Chicago has been performed worldwide in more than 25 countries and translated into over a dozen languages, including Japanese, Korean, and French.
• Ann Reinking, who played Roxie in the 1996 revival, also choreographed the production in Fosse's style. She won a Tony Award for her work.

How do I get Chicago Broadway tickets?

Chicago isn’t called "Broadway's sure thing" for nothing. With over 25 years of dazzling audiences, this classic musical has proven it’s got staying power and more. Don’t miss out—Book your tickets online and snag the best seats for this iconic, must-see Broadway hit!