‘Chicago’ Razzle Dazzles Muny Audiences in the Season’s Final Week

by Pat Lindsey

The Muny’s fifth and final show of its 103rd season, “Chicago,” is the story of two Merry Murderesses, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, who get by with murder thanks to their fast-talking, scheming, money-loving attorney, Billy Flynn. It’s as much a miracle as The Muny’s entire season of five extraordinary shows being presented during a pandemic.
The setting is 1920s Chicago, where murder is almost a form of entertainment. Roxie Hart (Sarah Bowden) has been having an adulterous affair with her furniture salesman and shoots him when he tries to walk out on her. When Roxie’s husband, Amos (Adam Heller), comes home from work, Roxie has the audacity to convince her husband to tell the police that he did it. Amos agrees to cover for her until he finally realizes that the so-called intruder was really Roxie’s lover. From that point on, most of the story takes place in prison, where we meet inmate Velma Kelly (J. Harrison Ghee) and the wardress Matron “Mama” Morton (Emily Skinner).
In prison, Roxie and Velma are instant rivals and unlikely collaborators, but they share an attorney, Billy Flynn (James T. Lane), whose $5,000 fee allows him to manipulate the murderesses in different ways. Billy’s strategy is to rewrite Roxie’s history, but all Roxie really cares about is seeing her name in headlines and becoming famous.
A standout scene portrays Billy as a puppeteer with Roxie, the dummy, sitting on his lap saying everything Billy wants her to say. Later, we see Billy acting as a magician who puts Roxie in a box and cuts her in half. That scene leaves the audience scratching their heads and asking, “How did he do that?”

“Chicago” is a musical in the truest sense, because the songs tell the story. The Muny Orchestra, under the direction of Charlie Alterman, must be in its glory to perform such a varied and robust score that is brought to life by every fantastic voice in this cast. Sarah Bowden as Roxie has a wide vocal range with dancing ability to match. J. Harrison Ghee as Velma is a more imposing character with a more explosive voice that contrasts nicely with Bowden’s.
Emily Skinner as “Mama” Morton gets her chance to shine when she belts out her solo, “When You’re Good to Mama.” James T. Lane as Billy is like a lawyer on steroids. His voice is as powerful and animated as the character he plays.
Adam Heller as Amos Hart gets our sympathy when he sings “Mr. Cellophane Man.” And Mary Sunshine (Ali Ewoldt) is the radio personality/reporter with the terrific operatic voice who is the conduit for Roxie’s quest for fame. For me, the most memorable songs are “All That Jazz,” “Razzle Dazzle,” “Mr. Cellophane Man,” and “Cell Block Tango” (because “he had it coming”).
“Chicago” has it all. It has flawless Bob Fosse-style choreography directed by Denis Jones, exciting music and singing, beautiful sets and costumes, ample doses of sex, cynicism and corruption, and big headlines. Most of all, it has an Artistic Director and Executive Producer, Mike Isaacson, who has transported us from our darkest days of a pandemic to the glorious lights and fireworks of the magnificent Muny stage for an incredible summer of theater at its best.
Performances are nightly at 8:15 p.m. at The Muny through Sept. 5. For tickets, go to muny.org or call 314-534-1111.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us