Questions about Chicago musical

[Hellob]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 3:29pm

My friend is coming to NYC and said she wanted to see Chicago. I warned her that it's not like the movie and she asked me what to expect. I don't know the answer. Can you please let me know? The only thing that I got from other posts was that there aren't elaborate sets. Any information is appreciated. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 3:33pm

The set is just one standard night club-esque set -- like for a big band.  The costuming is also stylized.

I find the humor exists more on stage than it does on the film.  There are also some differences in the music.  And one plot twist that isn't in the film  (unless I'm remembering incorrectly).

I don't think there is really all that much to "warn" one about.  

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 3:33pm

It's staged as a concert style production. 

[hork]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 3:35pm

Well, the orchestra is on stage, and the actors perform the show in and around it. And there are no costume changes (everyone dresses in black, and there's no correlation between the character and what the performer is wearing). It's more like a concert than a traditional musical.

[Hellob]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 3:40pm

Are there any set pieces like the cell block tango screen? Is there any differentiation between locations? Like do you just figure out that you're at the jail or wherever? Eta is the Fosse dancing still there?

Updated On: 6/4/16 at 03:40 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 3:42pm

It's a stationary set and they use stools and chairs to change location.

[Mike Costa]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 3:48pm

Your friend should be warned that the current Chicago started as the first staged reading staged by the Encores Series at City Center which was subsequently moved into a Broadway theater by a savvy producer.  It is not like the movie or the original full production of the musical which opened on Broadway in 1976 with Gwen and Chita.

Updated On: 6/4/16 at 03:48 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 3:52pm

Yes, the choreo (much of it, I can't speak to all) is still Fosse-esque.  

From IBDB:  Directed by Walter Bobbie; Choreographed in the style of Bob Fosse by Ann Reinking; Original choreography for "Hot Honey Rag" by Bob Fosse; Assistant Director: Jonathan Bernstein; Assistant Choreographer: Debra McWaters

 

It's not difficult to figure out where you are, at all.   When the cast is into it, it's still a pretty wonderful show. 

[evic]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 4:12pm

Anyone calling this a concert...well- all Broadway shows should be as good as this "concert".  The set where the orchestra is playing is supposed to represent a jury box.  It is a real NY sophisticated, classy show and the one costume everyone wears cannot be topped in sexiness and is just right for the feel of this show.  The lighting is extraordinary.  The only thing I hated about the movie was Christine Baranski as Mary Sunshine- She added nothing to the role- they should have kept the character a drag queen.  I can never get enough of this show and all thanks to the GOD Bob Fosse- so ahead of his time-it is kind of scary.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 4:18pm

Also, it depends on what this person expects from a Broadway show. I've known people who saw it after The Lion King or Phantom and went in expecting the same level of expensive spectacle, which to them is what Broadway is all about. They seemed to have zero appreciation of the wonderful score or choregraphy, they just wanted helicopter landings and flying nannies etc. Which if fine, but this show is not that.

 

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 4:18pm

--double post---
 

Updated On: 6/4/16 at 04:18 PM

[Hellob]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 4:38pm

Thanks for all the information. I love the OBC soundtrack, I got it from the library and listened to it so much but I was never interested in seeing the show. What I'm getting from the posts are that it's kind of like the color purple, a stripped down version but easy to follow and enjoyable if you're into the songs/Fosse style.

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 5:51pm

Eta is the Fosse dancing still there?

 

A little heads-up: the 2002 film adaptation didn't use Bob Fosse's choreography.  Though a hint of it is peppered in Rob Marshall did entirely new choreography for the film.  He especially constructed Catherine Zeta-Jones' "I Can't Do It Alone" to showcase her trademark "hoofing" dance style (fast tap dancing).  

 

And yes, as mentioned above, this Broadway revival of CHICAGO originated as a 4-night Encores! Concert at City Center in 1996 and transferred a few months later to Broadway using this concert-style staging.  The success of this revival is how the long-in-gestation film adaptation eventually got made in 2002 after decades of no-go's. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 7:14pm

There are plenty of  You Tube videos that demonstrate what the show is about.  

[BroadwayPeasent]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 7:17pm

It was an Encores Production and that usually means limited set or no set. 

[BroadwayPeasent]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 7:18pm

Who is the lead Producer I know the dick weinstein  is one of them.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 7:19pm

When the cast is good, this is an awesome show. Ergo it's longevity.

 

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 7:21pm

BroadwayPeasent said: "Who is the lead Producer I know the dick weinstein  is one of them."

 

Who? The show is famously produced by  Barry & Fran Weissler.