'Chicago' 25th Anniversary Original Korea Tour Performance
Dung dung dung~ The sound of drums resonating like a heartbeat begins, and the harmony created by a 14-member big band cuts through the air. Soon, the actors' movements adorn the stage. There are no gigantic stage sets or flashy props, but the sensual and captivating movements are enough to steal the audience's attention.
The musical Chicago has returned to Korea after six years. Since its domestic premiere in 2000, it is now in its 16th season, performed in the original version. This performance is particularly meaningful as it is the longest-running musical. Chicago took over the longest-running title in April after the closing of The Phantom of the Opera, which premiered in 1988.
Chicago is set in chaotic 1920s Chicago, USA. The protagonists are Velma Kelly, a singer who killed her husband after he cheated on her with her sister, and Roxie Hart, a chorus girl imprisoned for killing her lover. They hire a materialistic lawyer, Billy, who views the trial as a “show,” dreaming of being found not guilty.
The work highlights a public that prioritizes sensational stories over truth. It criticizes the hypocrisy of the public easily manipulated by the media play the two women engage in with Billy’s help, competing against each other. “Cell Block Tango” depicts a society immersed in entertainment and pleasure, while “Class” laments a world losing its dignity.
The fact that the work is based on true stories makes it even more significant. Velma is inspired by Belva Gaertner, an actual singer who won the favor of courts and media with her outstanding beauty and wealth. The character Roxie Hart is modeled after Beulah Annan, who shot her lover.
The work visualizes their seductive allure through dazzling dance. The rhythmic and sexy choreography is the work of Broadway legend Bob Fosse (1927?1987), who won the Tony Award for Best Choreography eight times. Born in Chicago, he is known for incorporating the sensual choreography he developed in nightclubs since his teenage years into the production.
The production is performed in the original English version. Lead actors Logan Floyd and Katie Freiden, who play Velma and Roxie respectively, dominate the stage with solid singing skills and dance. Freiden’s lively facial expressions add another layer of enjoyment to the show.
Unfortunately, the ventriloquism that drew attention during the previous domestic performance is not present in this production. At the press call held on the 31st, Jeff Brooks, who plays lawyer Billy, said, “We debated a lot about whether to keep the ventriloquism, but as an actor, I thought I could show controlling Roxie without it.”
The performance runs until August 6 at the Blue Square Shinhan Card Hall in Seoul.
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