Overview
Synopsis
Broadway’s longest-running American musical, Chicago is a dazzling and satirical look at fame, justice, and the media machine. Set in 1920s Chicago and based on real-life murders and trials, Chicago follows Roxie Hart, a wannabe vaudevillian star who murders her lover and is arrested, despite her attempts to convince her pushover husband, Amos, to lie for her. In the Cook County Jail, Roxie meets her hero, the famed double-murderess and nightclub performer Velma Kelly. When both acquire the same lawyer, the greedy and lustful superstar, Billy Flynn, tensions come to a head as they vie for the spotlight-- though instead of onstage, they’re mugging for the flashbulb of the newspaper reporters.
With catchy, sexy music and timeless lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and a funny, intelligent, and utterly engaging book by Kander and Bob Fosse, Chicago is a musical spectacular that is as addictive as gossip rags and as unforgettable as any trial of the century.
Show Information
Context
John Kander and Fred Ebb’s hit musical Chicago was based on the play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins. A reporter in Chicago in the 1920s, Watkins covered the popular trials of two female murderers-- Belva Gaertner and Beulah Annan-- who both blamed their actions on the negative effects of drink and jazz. At the time, female murderesses were media darlings, and following the two “jazz babies’” acquittal in 1924, Watkins wrote a satirical play, turning Gaertner into
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Act One
It is the mid-1920s, in Chicago Illinois. Velma Kelly, who, with her sister, performed a famous and popular double-act (until Velma is arrested for the murder of her sister and husband, who she found in bed together) welcomes the audience to the show (“All That Jazz”). Meanwhile, vaudeville wannabe Roxie Hart has sex with her lover, Fred Casely, who has not kept his word about introducing Roxie to a nightclub producer. In fury, Roxie shoots Fred dead.
When Roxie’s husband, Amos,
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Interactive Character Map
Visualize how the characters in Chicago connect and drive the story.
Understand the relationships that shape the story of Chicago
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Character Portrayals
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Monologues
Songs
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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
THEMES
Fame and Celebrity
In Chicago, fame is portrayed as the ultimate prize. Roxie and Velma both learn that their crimes can catapult them into the spotlight, giving them the kind of recognition they never achieved as performers. The press and courtroom become stages, and their trials are marketed as sensational entertainment. Murder is less about morality and more about the chance to become a star, even if the fame is fleeting.
Historically, this fascination with celebrity
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Staging Chicago relies on embracing its fundamental theatrical framework: the show is not a realistic period drama, but a cynical, high-octane Vaudeville act. Every musical number is presented as a distinct variety format, from master-of-ceremonies introductions to torch songs and slapstick comedy acts. The primary conceptual challenge is maintaining the sharp, satirical edge of Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb’s satire without letting the performance descend into broad, unearned caricature.
Directors often find success by leaning into the meta-theatrical presentation. The audience is not an invisible fourth wall, but an active participant in the media circus. The production works best when you lean into the contrast between the dark, deadly real-world stakes—women facing the gallows—and the glittering, sensationalized showbiz gloss used to sell those stories to a gullible public. Emphasize
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Big Question
How far should society allow the desire for fame and media spectacle to distort the search for truth and justice?
Discussion Questions
- In the opening number, "All That Jazz," Velma Kelly welcomes the audience into the world of 1920s Chicago. How does the musical's setting and style immediately establish a world where crime and entertainment are blended together?
- Roxie Hart initially claims she shot Fred Casely because he was a burglar, but the truth quickly comes out. What drives Roxie to commit the murder, and how does her motivation change once she realizes she can turn her trial into a public sensation?
- Billy Flynn boasts that he can get anyone acquitted as long as he can put on a good show. What strategies does he use to manipulate the press and jury, and why are those strategies so effective on the public?
- How does Matron "Mama" Morton's concept of "reciprocity" function in the Cook County Jail? Is she purely corrupt, or is she simply playing by the rules of the system she operates in?
- Compare Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly's attitudes toward fame. How does their fierce rivalry shape their choices, and why do they ultimately decide to team up at the end of the show?
- Amos Hart is often seen as the only moral character in the musical. Why do the other characters—and the press—consistently ignore or take advantage of him, and what does his song "Mr. Cellophane" express about his place in this world?
- The song "Cell Block Tango" gives the murderesses a platform to tell their side of the story. How do their arguments challenge traditional ideas about guilt, innocence, and revenge?
- Throughout the musical, the media is portrayed as easily distracted and eager for scandal. What commentary does the show make about the public's appetite for sensational news stories over real facts?
- Mary Sunshine represents the sensationalist journalism of the era. How does her reveal late in the show alter our understanding of the press and the narrative Billy Flynn constructed?
- Despite committing cold-blooded crimes, Roxie and Velma become celebrities and fan favorites. Why does the show encourage the audience to root for antiheroes who suffer virtually no consequences for their actions?
- Chicago was written in the 1970s and set in the 1920s, yet its satire of celebrity culture remains relevant today. In what ways do modern social media and true-crime fascination reflect the same themes explored in the show?
- Have you ever seen a real-life public figure or news event transformed into entertainment? How did that situation affect your perception of the truth, and did it change how you viewed the people involved?
Key Terms
A powerful, resonant singing technique used in musical theatre to project high notes with chest voice.
Relating to the theatrical style of Bertolt Brecht, emphasizing social critique and distancing the audience from emotional immersion.
A form of theatrical entertainment featuring music, song, dance, and drama, often performed in a nightclub or pub-style venue.
The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.
A vocal register that allows singers to reach notes higher than their normal range, used for special effects or characterizations.
The concluding musical or dramatic number that provides resolution and emotional closure for the audience.
A musical genre characterized by syncopation and improvisation, frequently integrated into musical theatre for style and rhythm.
A revival is a new production of a play or musical after its original run has ended, often reimagined for a new generation of audiences. Revivals may stay faithful to the original staging or update elements like design, casting, or interpretation. They are a cornerstone of theatre tradition, keeping classic works alive and relevant.
Satire is a dramatic style that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize human behavior, social institutions, or political systems. In theatre, it highlights flaws and hypocrisies through wit and parody, encouraging audiences to laugh while also reflecting on serious issues. Satire can range from lighthearted comedy to biting social commentary, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
A variety entertainment form popular in the U.S. from the late 19th century to the early 20th, featuring diverse short acts.
A low, creaky vibration in the voice sometimes used stylistically or as a vocal exercise in training.
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher
