Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, CHICAGO Revival Knocks 'Em Dead, 1997

Welcome to BroadwayWorld's Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, a look at some of the Tony Awards' most memorable moments from the past three decades.

Broadway may not have been ready for Bob Fosse's original production of Chicago when it opened in 1975. It was the first musical mounted by the famed director/choreographer after his heart attack, and he packed the evening with dark textures, heavy cynicism and Brechtian subtext.

It was a hit, of course with stars Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera and Jerry Orbach having a rousing time with John Kander and Fred Ebb's sumptuous vaudevillian score, but come Tony time all the glory, went to Michael Bennett's A CHORUS LINE, with its uplifting message that dreams can come true.

So when City Center Encores! presented Chicago in 1996, it wasn't exactly an obscurity, but more of a musical that may not have been fully appreciated in its time. And after America watched O.J. Simpson being found not guilty of murder, the musical's theme of making show business out of legal procedure seemed a far more believable fact of life.

Director Walter Bobbie and choreographer Ann Reinking, softened Fosse's social commentary and put sex in the forefront. With Reinking taking on Verdon's leading role of Roxie Hart, teamed with Bebe Neuwirth's Velma, James Naughton's Billy Flynn and Joel Grey's Amos, Chicago knocked 'em dead at City Center and quickly transferred to Broadway, where it took top Tony honors for choreography, direction, lighting (Ken Billington), lead actor and actress and Best Musical Revival of the season.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary on Broadway this November 14th, Chicago is currently the second longest-running production in Broadway history, behind the still-running THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and appears jazzed up for at least another two decades.

The American Theatre Wing's 70th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Tony Award winner James Corden, will air on the CBS Television Network on Sunday, June 12, 2016 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) live from the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

The Broadway company of the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking hit musical Chicago will welcome Latin sensation & "Jane the Virgin" star (who also appeared as part of BroadwayWorld's popular Standing Ovations BC/EFA benefit concert series at Joe's Pub) Jaime Camil making his return to Broadway in the role of Billy Flynn beginning Tuesday, May 31, 2016. He will play a 5-week limited engagement at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St., NYC) through Sunday, July 3, 2016.

Chicago currently stars Bianca Marroquín as Roxie Hart, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly,Ryan Silverman as Billy Flynn, Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart, NaTasha Yvette Williamsas Matron "Mama" Morton and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics byFred Ebb, Chicago is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history.

Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, Chicago is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.

Directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking, Chicago features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer.