March 28, 2024

Jazzy time at the theatre

Few stage musicals can stand the test of time. Broadway has been flush with material for decades, but not everything can last forever. However, there are some notable exceptions to every rule and the musical “Chicago” is one of them.

It is the second-longest running Broadway musical in history, only behind “The Phantom of the Opera.” The origins of the story can be traced back to the 1920s with a play by the same name. It was penned by a newspaper reporter, Maurine Dallas Watkins. She based her characters in the play on real people and crimes she on which she reported. The story was adapted into a stage musical in 1975 by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse.

True to its source material, “Chicago The Musical” is a tale of crime and corruption in the Prohibition-era of The Windy City; nevertheless, Fosse’s classic choreography shone through in the current national tour production.

I have been familiar with the story since the Academy-award winning film was released in 2002. The success brought the movie musical back to life. Not every story could have done that, which lends further proof to the timelessness of this work of art.

I had never seen the stage production, so I was thrilled when I learned the national tour had booked a weekend stint at the Des Moines Civic Center. My sister, Trish, is a musical lover like me, and we quickly planned a double date with her and her husband, Justin, with me and my fiancé, Tim.

We hadn’t been out on a double date in ages. It was so much fun. I got to introduce Tim to The Old Spaghetti Works on Court Avenue and take in a phenomenal stage performance.

The opening number really kicks off the show in the right way. “All that Jazz” is one of the most recognizable show tunes from the show. It’s full of jazz hands and precision dance steps that has the audience members tapping their toes right along with the beat.

The company on the whole did the musical justice. The classic songs were great, the dancing was fabulous and the energy in the room was electric. They were like a well-oiled machine on stage as they brought the sensationalized crime story to life.

The two leading ladies stole the show. Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly and Dylis Croman as Roxie Hart were the beating heart of the performance.

Despite the fact both ladies are murderesses, you really find yourself rooting for them. Both of them have great wit and quick thinking to bring their situations to the forefront of everyone’s mind.

Both MacLeod and Croman played their characters beautifully. They both had the voice and athleticism to take on the roles with the appropriate enthusiasm. It was a pleasure to watch them work on stage.

If Roxie and Velma are the heart of the show, Billy Flynn is the brains. He was played to perfection by Brent Barrett. He has a voice I will not soon forget. There was a lot of power and grace behind every note. Barrett was “Razzle and Dazzle” every moment he was on the stage.

“Chicago” is truly a stage classic. It’s what every production hopes to be. The storied musical is sure to be a staple for many years to come. If you like musicals, I strongly recommend it as an evening well spent.

Contact Pam Rodgers
at prodgers@newtondailynews.com