Musicals Monday

One of the more "racy" musicals, Chicago has also been a favorite since I saw the Academy-Award winning movie with Richard Gere, Renee Zellwegger, and Catherine Zeta-Jones in 2002 (Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Best Actress Nomiee, Renee Zelwegger; Golden Globe for Best Actor, Richard Gere). 

Chicago is a musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago.  The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal". The musical is based on a 1926 play of the same name by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual criminals and crimes she reported on.  

Murderesses Velma Kelly (a chanteuse and tease who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together) and Roxie Hart (who killed her boyfriend when she discovered he wasn't going to make her a star) find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago.

One of my favorite songs from this musical is "We Both Reached for the Gun".  Billy Flynn, the lawyer with a perfect record, takes on a ventrilliquist roll to keep Roxie from saying anything she shouldn't.  Not only is the song fun, but I love the choreography.  The characters really look like puppets!

I also enjoy when we find that movie stars can actually sing.  Richard Gere is awesome, and while you won't see her here, Catherine Zeta-Jones is amazing!