Photo Coverage: 'Chicago' Debuts Talk-Back Tuesdays with Walter Bobbie

The Broadway company of Chicago launched "Talkback Tuesdays," a new monthly series offering a post-show discussion and audience Q&A session with members of the Broadway company of the record-breaking hit musical. Designed to provide theatergoers with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of Chicago, the "Talkback Tuesdays" series began Tuesday, September 23, 2008, with a post-show conversation with Tony Award-winning director Walter Bobbie.

BroadwayWorld.com writer Adrienne Onofri acted as moderator for the event and our cameras were there to capture the discussion.

Walter Bobbie is a three-time Tony nominee and his direction of Chicago not only earned him the 1997 Tony Award, but Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards as well. This holiday season, his nationally acclaimed production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas will open on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre. His other Broadway directing credits include High Fidelity, Sweet Charity starring Christina Applegate, Twentieth Century starring Alec Baldwin and Anne Heche, Footloose and A Grand Night for Singing. He directed Fiorello, the premiere production of City Center's Encores! series, and shortly thereafter was named its Artistic Director. He has since directed Encores! Productions of Tenderloin; Golden Boy and No, No, Nanette, and continues as an Artistic Associate and a member of Encores! Advisory Committee. Mr. Bobbie's Carnegie Hall concerts include Carousel, starring Hugh Jackman and Audra McDonald, and South Pacific starring Reba McEntire and Brian Stokes Mitchell, which was filmed for Public Television and nominated for an Emmy. 

"Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids," explain press notes.

With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics byFred Ebb, Chicago is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.  Directed byWalter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking, Chicago features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer.

Chicago plays on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.). The regular performance schedule is as follows: Monday 8pm, Tuesday 8pm, Thursday 8pm, Friday 8pm, Saturday 2:30pm/8pm, Sunday 2:30pm/7pm

Tickets are scaled at $59 - $121.50 (all ticket prices include a $1.50 facility fee) and are available by calling Telecharge.com at 212-239-6200. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Ambassador Theatre Box Office. Regular Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and noon to 7 p.m. Sundays.

Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.    

Photo Coverage Peter James Zielinski

Chicago at the Ambassador Theater

Brenda Braxton, Walter Bobbie, and Bianca Marroquin

Tony-winning director Walter Bobbie

Moderator Adrienne Onofri and Walter Bobbie

Adrienne Onofri

Walter Bobbie

Walter Bobbie

Walter Bobbie

Walter Bobbie

Walter Bobbie

Walter Bobbie

Adrienne Onofri and Walter Bobbie

Adrienne Onofri and Walter Bobbie

Adrienne Onofri and Walter Bobbie

Adrienne Onofri and Walter Bobbie

Walter Bobbie signs a poster for a trivia winner