Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Chicago is a satirical play that is best known today as the inspiration for the 1975 stage musical of the same name. It is based on two unrelated 1924 court cases involving two women, Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner, who were both suspected and later acquitted for murder. Maurine Dallas Watkins had covered the trials as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, and the corrupt, farcical nature of the antics in the courtroom inspired her to portray the Chicago justice system on stage. The play centers around Roxie Hart, a young, married floozy who has just murdered her lover. Sent to the Cook County Jail, she meets the other inmates on murderer’s row and awaits her trial. In a city where the press is in cahoots with the legal system, Roxie’s case becomes a study in how to manipulate the system through a string of lies and perfectly posed photos in the newspapers.
Show Information
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1926
- Genres
- Satire
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Chicago, 1920s
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A form of comedy that presents ridiculous extremes in order to make a point about society or human nature.
A type of female reporter who specialized in sentimental newspaper articles (‘sob stories’) during the 1920s, which were written from the human interest angle.
Videos
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Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher