MacLeod and Marroquin Create The Ultimate CHICAGO

Kander and Ebb’s masterpiece Chicago is a musical that has a mystique few others can claim.  Not only was it a hit when it first opened in 1975 but its 1996 bare bones revival, which is still playing to sold out houses on Broadway and on tour, has surpassed anyone’s wildest expectations becoming the longest running American musical of all time.To that end, the current touring production that opened last night at the Bank of America Theatre for an all to brief one week run, inhabits the best company to date for this little juggernaut.

For those that have not seen either the stage or  Oscar winning film version,  Chicago tells the story of murderess Roxy Hart who became a master manipulator of the press in the 1920’s.  It contains a score that remains one of the finest ever composed with Broadway standards that include All That Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Mr. Cellophane and Nowadays while Bob Fosse’s magnificent choreography remains his most cherished.

Producers Barry and Fran Weissler  and director Walter Bobbie have taken immaculate care of the quality of the numerous Chicago productions throughout the world and this tour is no exception.

Terra C. MacLeod (Velma Kelly) and Bianca Marroquin (Roxy Hart) have both played these roles on and off for over a decade.  That familiarity allows their character arcs of Velma and Roxy to be much richer and more complex than you would otherwise see.  Moreover, their chemistry together on stage is palpable.  MacLeod and Marroquin’s version of “Nowadays” in both texture and style, is reminiscent of Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon’s legendary original version.   Add to this cast the incomparable Carol Woods as Matron Mamma Morton, the empatheic Ron Orbach as Amos (whose Mr. Cellophane brought a near standing ovation) and John O’Hurley, who is far more confident in his role of lawyer Billy Flynn than he was several years ago, and you have a production that moves like a well oiled Fosse machine.

The supporting cast of this Chicago each get a chance to show their expertise in the Fosse art form and as far as acting, they are on a whole, far more engaged than prior productions; while the onstage orchestra led by Jesse Kissel remains as integral to the action as the actors.

Beyond the exceptional production values of this tour, there is always a sense of ownership and pride the local audience takes when Chicago comes back to one of our Broadway In Chicago theatres.   Seeing Chicago in Chicago is one of those rare treats few other patrons can ever claim.  So whether it is your first time seeing it on stage or your twentieth, jazz hand it over to the Bank of America Theatre to witness the quintessential production of Chicago to date.

CHICAGO runs through  March 2, 2014 at Bank of America Theatre, 18 West Monroe, Chicago, IL .  Tickets range from $30-$95. A select number of premium seats are also available for many performances. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.