REVIEW: From Chicago newbie to razzle-dazzled fan, how one night at QPAC changed everything

I walked into QPAC’s Lyric theatre a naive ‘Chicago’ newbie, unaware of the story, the songs, or any of the characters. But the moment the gold-lettered curtains rose, I was hooked, writes Georgia Clelland.

Well, here goes my big confession: until Thursday’s night at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre, I was a ‘Chicago’ virgin.

Yes, you read that right.

The Ol’ razzle-dazzle of this Broadway behemoth had eluded me until its 2023-2024 Australian tour kick-off.

I walked in a naive newbie, unaware of the story, the songs, or any of the characters.

But the moment the gold-lettered curtains rose, and the MC’s voice promised a tale of “greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery” I was hooked, albeit embarrassingly clueless about the spectacle I was about to witness.

My initiation into ‘Chicago’ began with a dazzle of lacy costumes and a substantial amount of booty-shaking.

Zoe Ventoura as Velma Kelly kicked off with 'All That Jazz', oozing sex appeal and talent. Photo: Supplied.

Enter the vixens of vaudeville, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, brought to life by Lucy Maunder and Zoë Ventoura, respectively.

These ladies had me rooting for murder like it was a sport.

Velma (Ventoura), kicked off with ‘All That Jazz’, oozing sex appeal and talent.

Roxie (Maunder), our adorable murderess, was a perfect combination of cheeky and ambition, stirring up a storm of deception after offing her lover.

These ladies didn’t just command the stage; they owned it, all the way through until their final duet.

Another standout performance was Anthony Warlow as Billy Flynn, the smooth-talking slick lawyer.

He brought a suave charisma to the role, perfectly encapsulating the manipulative yet charming lawyer.

The real show-stealer, however, was Asabi Goodman as Mama Morton.

Her rendition of ‘When You’re Good to Mama’ was a vocal powerhouse performance, oozing sass and class.

Then there was Peter Rowsthorn, in the role of Amos, the ‘invisible’ husband.

With no need for dazzling vocals or fancy footwork, he captured hearts and laughs, earning the night’s loudest applause.

The lead cast of CHICAGO Zoë Ventoura as Velma Kelly, Lucy Maunder as Roxie Hart, Anthony Warlow as Billy Flynn, Asabi Goodman (from Hairspray) as Mama Morton, and Peter Rowsthorn as Amos Hart. Photo: Juliet Taylor

And let’s not forget the unsung heroes: the 13-piece band.

More than mere musicians, they were characters in their own right. Their presence, right amid the action, added a layer of jazz-infused vibrancy that I’d never seen before on the Lyric Theatre stage.

The production, simple in set but extravagant in execution, used every bit of its space creatively.

The golden-framed, tiered grand bandstand was a sight, with performers weaving in and out, adding that extra dose of drama and dazzle.

I’m not sure if it was the magic of opening night or the show’s inherent power to electrify audiences, but the energy was infectious.

The crowd’s reactions ranged from gasps to cheers, “oohs” and “ahhs” and a rather unexpected “yeah the boys” when the ensemble of good-looking gents took the stage.

As a Chicago first-timer, I am now thoroughly hooked.

It wasn’t just the catchy tunes, the striking costumes, or the handsome cast that captivated me, but the storyline itself.

The show’s blend of cynicism, and humour resonates with our society’s current obsession with fame and its fleeting nature – a theme that feels more relevant today than ever.

In summary, if you haven’t experienced ‘Chicago’ yet, it’s high time you did.

Chicago is playing at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre in Brisbane until February 4, before travelling to Melbourne in March, Sydney in June and Adelaide in August.