Chicago, Chicago, one Hell of a Show!
Chicago the Musical (Teen version)
Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre
Lichfield Garrick Main Auditorium
Tuesday 18 September 2024
Review by Jono Oate
The team from the Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre are back in town, back at the Garrick and back with a bang!
Their latest production, Chicago the Teen Version, is superb from start-to-finish, a professional and polished performance that could transfer to the West End in a heartbeat, and is filled with show-stopping songs, wonderful costumes, superb lighting and a super-talented young cast who all perform well above their ages and relative inexperience – Chicago is definitely the show that has everything!
Chicago started life as a play, based on short stories by columnist Maurine Dallas Watkins from the early 1920s, and based around the corruption of the justice system at the time the Roaring ‘20s in America, and the idea that criminals, including murderers, had become celebrities. The play was made in to a film in 1927, then again in 1942, under the title Roxie Hart, and starring Ginger Rogers. The rights to the play were sold to legendary dancer, actor and stage director Bob Fosse (who, coincidentally, was born in Chicago in 1927!) who developed the idea for a musical version of Chicago. Fosse and Fred Ebb created the book, while En=bb and John Kander wrote the musical score, with Fosse also providing the choreography and the stage direction. It premiered on June 3 1975 at the 46th Street Theatre, Manhattan, in New York (now renamed the Richard Rodgers Theatre). It became one of the most popular musicals on Broadway and in the UK, and has received multiple awards over the decades. In 2002 a film of the musical was released, starring Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, and Richard Gere as Billy Flynn.
The plot of Chicago is based around Roxie Hart, who is accused of shooting, and killing, her lover, then hopes to escape prosecution by pinning the blame for the murder on her innocent husband, Amos. While awaiting trial she meets celebrity murderer, Velma Kelly, and five other female killers. Roxie is approached by slick, but slimy, lawyer Bily Flynn, who guarantees to secure her release, once he is promised money for the court case by Amos.
Roxie loves being in the spotlight of the press due to her notoriety but soon comes to learn that the press always love ‘the new kind on the block’, and she soon finds herself pushed down the celebrity ratings by the latest female murderer. Will Roxie escape the hanging noose and, if so, how will she keep her name at the top of the headlines?
The opening number of the musical sets the scene for the whole performance – a pulsating version of the classic song, All That Jazz, performed by Velma, and the whole ensemble. The lighting, stage set captivating choreography and the sultry rhythm of the song take us back to 1920s Chicago, and form that moment the audience is hooked. Cell Block Tango, When You’re Good to Mama, We Both Reached for the Gun, Mister Cellophane and Razzle Dazzle are all fantastic songs, and the young cast put them across superbly, all note perfect, which is very commendable, especially on opening night.
Katheryn Whetter, as Velma, and Beth Winspear as her nemesis Roxie Hart are both very impressive, with such powerful singing voices, and showing such confidence on stage to a (large) main theatre audience – just wow! Kathryn also performs the splits with great bravado which raised a roar form the audience, although also made my eyes water a bit, I am definitely not trying to reproduce that anytime soon! Zach Andrews plays the smarmy, lizard-like celebrity lawyer Billy Flynn to a ‘T’, this role is usually played by actors in in their 40s, and if you look at Zach’s photo in the official programme you will find it difficult to believe that someone can transform himself into a character that is twice his natural age, and his rendition of Razzle Dazzle was superb. Roxie’s put-upon husband, Amos, is played by James Williams, with lots of humour and gets lots of ‘aaw bless’ comments from the audience as he is bullied by his newly-discovered celebrity wife. A great rendition of Mister Sellophane, and also watch out for his dance moves, a very funny and well-judged performance. Emerson Clarke-Selby as Mary Sunshine, also got some great laughs, especially as he / she switched genders during the performance.
Amazing support form all the cast members though, the ensemble pieces were, as usual, favourite moments for myself, wonderful to see so many young people have such a good time on the stage, it’s just so infectious.
Stunning choreography by Jessica Bennett, mood-perfect lighting by Stephen Rainsford, 1920s themed costumes by Sue Broad, and stage management by Matt Garfield and team. Director Richard Poynton (aka internet sensation Stage Door Johnny!) directs this young cast with aplomb, he is a very good comedian, and these skills show through, Chicago is darkly-funny and there are plenty of comic moments to enjoy, along with the drama. Oliver Rowe is the musical director and it is great to actually ‘see’ the orchestra perform on stage, as usually they are tucked away behind the scenes.
Finally, a massive well done to Chief Executive Daniel Buckroyd and the team at the Lichfield Garrick for bringing the Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre back to the Garrick after an absence of a few years. Encouraging youth performance is so important to the success, and continuation, of the theatre here is Lichfield, well done to everyone at the Garrick who is behind the scenes too, the unseen heroes!
Chicago is a blast from start to finish and the LMYT group earned a richly-deserved standing ovation, a fabulous show and definitely a must-see for any musical, and theatre, lover this September – it is, without doubt, a Jono recommendation!
Chicago, Teen Version, by the Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre, runs at the main auditorium of the Lichfield Garrick nightly until Saturday 21 September 2024, 7.30pm start, with a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday 21 September. Tickets start from £19 and can be purchased in person at the Garrick Box Office, Castle Dyke, during normal opening hours, by ringing the Box Office on 01543 412121 or by booking online at:
www.lichfieldgarrick.com/whats-on/musicals/chicago-lichfield-musical-youth-theatre/3372#
