By: Julia Aidan
Submitted: 2009-08-03 20:10:36 | Word Count: 616
The play 'CHICAGO" was penned by Mary Dallas Watkins, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune. She recreated and narrated a story based on true characters and events she came across in the course of her duty. This play depicts the concept of criminals vying for celebrity status, and employing corrupt and treacherous methods to achieve their ends.
The story revolves around the two main characters of Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart. Velma Kelly is a performing artist in a vaudeville, who has murdered her husband and sister for being in love and is lodged in jail. Similarly, Roxie Hart, a chorus girl in the same show, has been charged with the killing of her lover, Fred Casely, a nightclub regular.
[ advertisement ]
Initially, though Roxie is able to convince her husband Amos, that she has not murdered Fred, the truth comes out when the police arrive and she is arrested and sent to Cook County Jail, inhabited by Velma and other murderesses. "Mama" Morton, a crooked, heads the Cell Block Tango and corrupt Matron, whose philosophy of life is to give and take. This very much suited the clientele she presides over and helped Velma to notch up the front pages of the media, as the top murder of the week.
Velma is jealous of Roxie, because not only is she overtaking her celebrity status, but also, is to ensnare her lawyer Bill Flynn. Bill takes up her case and is able to convince the media with a new version of the truth. Roxie becomes the talk of the town and Velma's fame evaporates like a bubble. Velma proposes to Roxie a sister-act, to which she declines, only to find her own headlines being replaced by the latest crime of passion.
To stay in the limelight, Roxie decides to get pregnant in prison, and Amos claims to be the father. However, Bill with ideas borrowed from Velma, is able to get an acquittal in favor of Roxie, but just when the judge was to deliver the verdict, some other stunning criminal act pull the press hounds away from the courtroom, and Roxie's momentary celebrity status is lying in shambles. Left broken-hearted, she pulls herself up and joins Velma in her proposal of sister-act, in which they dance and perform together, realizing how fleeting fame can be.
The play showcases ambition, jealousy, treachery, and corruption of ordinary folks in Chicago as observed by the playwright in her time. The two protagonists, Velma and Roxie are so ambitious, that they under-cut each other to achieve their celebrity status. Billy, the lawyer deceives Velma, and with her ideas acquits Roxie. These mean, lowly, immoral, mundane characteristics of human nature are shown in the play, holding a mirror to the society. Which is why, Mama and Velma lament the demise of "Class", when Billy cheats on Velma.
The original play achieved stupendous success in Broadway but after celebrated actor, director and choreographer Bob Fosse took over the rights, the present musical show was created.
Though, Chicago: A Musical vaudeville opened on Broadway in 1975; its real success came after it was revived in 1996 in Broadway and 1997 in London. However, in West End at Cambridge Theatre it was well received since 1979. The phenomenal success of the musical play bagged six Olivier awards for the Broadway production and two Olivier awards for the West End show, best actress for Ute Lemper as Velma Kelly and for Outstanding Musical Production.
Chicago still draw audiences with its intoxicating mixture of drama, lilting musical numbers and dazzling choreography, as well as the portrayal of human nature and foibles as reflected in the society.
