Chicago review: Star-studded musical is smoking hot and sleek
It has a star-studded cast including Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Jason Donovan and Casey Donovan — but that’s not the only reason Chicago should be on your must-see list.
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Summer just got steamier with the arrival of this Broadway production of Chicago.
Well-oiled from recent seasons in Sydney and Brisbane, the all-Australian cast are pumped and smoking hot, delivering the iconic Fosse-style choreography and sassy lyrics with the requisite shimmy shakes and all that jazz.
Chicago started in 1975, but as far as musicals go, has aged superbly, especially with its themes of the cult of celebrity excusing bad behaviour and the idea that nothing matters if it isn’t splashed across the tabloids.
Murder, irony and sexual innuendo flow from Kander and Ebb’s song book of hit after memorable hit – there’s not a dud in the lot!
Sleek, hip-jutting, jazz-handed choreography and a prominent, centre stage orchestra create a fully immersive experience, all with basic staging and minimal props and an ensemble that works physical caricature and geometric body lines to the hilt.
The performers are top notch (Andrew Cook’s supple manipulation of his superhero physique is a highlight) and accent the racy vocals with long arm lines, sharp splays of split-legged sass. So simple, so effective.
While recent cast addition Jason Donovan (lawyer Billy Flynn) is still easing into the role, Rodney Dobson as meek husband Amos and Casey Donovan as the brassy Mama Morton are naturals.
Stars Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Roxie Hart) and Alinta Chidzey (Velma Kelly) are yin to each other’s yang – both playing to strengths and creating shade between the two different personalities in their double act numbers.
With hits like All That Jazz and Cell Block Tango, high-octane performances and a black humour that still hits the mark, this Chicago can’t go wrong.
It’s a musical that doesn’t need to change to keep on carrying on.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Chicago is at the State Theatre, Arts Centre, until 23 February.