Chicago (North American Touring Production) (2014)

I won a raffle to see Chicago yesterday at the Hippodrome.  This is my second Kander and Ebb musical since November, and I have to admit that I liked Cabaret better.  First, Chicago does not have much in the way of plot; it is not nearly as deep as some of the great Broadway musicals.  There is more development in the second act than in the first.  The ending draws conflicting emotions, as it is happy but devastating for Roxie.  The story is very female driven. Though they are not portrayed in a particularly positive light, it is refreshing.

The set is nonexistent.  I am not sure whether that is because it is a touring production or if that is simply how the production plays. Instead, the pit orchestra is front and center on stage.  The conductor actually gets a lot of attention from the actors, playing a character of sorts.  The company sits in chairs lining the sides of stage instead of going backstage.  Another stylistic choice, they wait in the shadows until it is their time to act.  The production attempts to make up for a lack of set by introducing some fancy lighting.  The lighting creates the illusion of prison cell bars.  Further there are no costume changes at all, not even between acts.  They are dressed not in prison uniforms but as if they are in a Cabaret.  This makes for an awkward courtroom scene, in which the prosecuting attorney is quite unconvincing.

The dancing is very Fosse-style.  The opening number, "All That Jazz" and the classic "Cell Block Tango" are the best scenes in my opinion.  They are stylish, catchy and flashy.

Also, the ventilation in the Hippodrome is awful.  I could hardly breathe throughout the entire second act.  It was so hot and the air was just not circulating.  Kudos to the dancers on stage--I don't know how they did it.