THE HANGOVER REPORT – Broadway is back: A freshly-coated CHICAGO razzle-dazzles with a stellar reopening cast

Bianca Marroquín leads the cast of “Chicago” at the Ambassador Theatre.

Last night, Broadway welcomed back a quartet of its signature, crowd-pleasing musical productions – Hamilton, Chicago, The Lion King, and Wicked – which join the already running Waitress, Hadestown, and Pass Over (note that Manhattan Theatre Club’s Main Stem production of the new one-man play Lackawanna Blues by Ruben Santiago-Hudson also began previews last night). With these four big guns up and running again, it appears that New York is well on its way to (semi) normalcy. At which show was I at yesterday, you may be asking? Well, for me it was a no-brainer. I chose the freshly-coated long-running hit revival of Kander and Ebb’s Chicago, which is celebrating its landmark 25th anniversary on the Great White Way this year. Of the bunch, to me the popular musical perfectly epitomizes the American musical with its brassy score, iconic choreography, and overall sense of exuberance. What better way to personally celebrate Broadway’s return than spending time with such a classic at my earliest possible convenience?

The electricity and anticipation of Broadway’s further reopening was palpable on the streets of the Theater District as I approached the Ambassador Theatre, Chicago‘s current home. After a lengthy and jubilant pre-show ovation, Walter Bobbie – the revival’s charismatic director – gave a warm speech to usher the lean and mean production back to life, dedicating the reopening to the late, great Anne Reinking (the production’s celebrated choreographer and Fosse muse), who sadly passed away last December. Throughout the performance, the show was met with a number of mid-show standing ovations, particularly during the sensational first act. For someone who’s seen Chicago literally dozens of times, I noticed some subtle changes to the Broadway production – all welcome – to both its choreography and orchestrations (the band was positively on fire last night, as joyfully conducted by music director Rob Bowman). There are also some new design elements, like a new curtain, as well as a new set piece for the show’s finale, both of which bear the show’s glittering logo.

For the show’s reopening, producers Barry and Fran Weissler have assembled a stellar cast, one of the more exciting line-ups in the show’s recent history. Ana Villafañe (so good as Gloria Estefan in On Your Feet!), who is a newcomer to the show, plays Roxie Hart as a fresh-faced ingenue, and it works. I’m sure she’ll grow beautifully into the role in the coming weeks. Bianca Marroquín – whose had a long association with Chicago as one of the most beloved Roxies in the show’s history – returns to the production as Velma Kelly, and she’s a revelation. I was especially impressed with the vaudevillian detail of her physical performance, which is nothing short of dazzling. Before long, she may well be an iconic Velma, as well. Also returning to the show are Tony-winners Lillias White and Paolo Szot as Mama Morton and Billy Flynn, respectively. Both are class acts and elevate the show with their distinctive stage presence and powerhouse vocals (Lillias, with her sassy Broadway belt; Paulo, with his heroic operatic baritone). Also in the cast are R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine and Raymond Bokhour as Amos, both well-deserved veterans of the show. With shows like Chicago back on the boards, one can more confidently say that Broadway is finally back.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

CHICAGO
Broadway, Musical / In-person
Ambassador Theatre
2 hours, 30 minutes (with an intermission)
Open run

Categories: Broadway, Theater

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