Review: CHICAGO Heats Things Up in Jackson

Monday night's performance of Chicago the Musical began with a promise of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and a little treachery, a promise it delivered upon in spades. The musical's national tour stopped at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, Mississippi as a part of the Broadway in Jackson series presented by Trustmark. The tour itself is presented by Barry & Fran Weissler.

With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and choreography by David Bushman, the national tour features an on-stage orchestra bandstand that provides for an interesting set dynamic. Everything happens downstage or in the midst of the orchestra, and while that may seem limiting, the choreography seamlessly turns this into a strength by creating a very personal feel.

Led by Dylis Croman as the merry murderess Roxie Hart, Terra C. MacLeod as the vaudevillian Velma Kelly, Jeff McCarthy in the role of the slick and unscrupulous lawyer Billy Flynn, and, at this performance, Matthew Winnegge as Roxie's clueless but (mostly) devoted husband Amos Hart. Jennifer Fouche stars as Matron "Mama" Morton, the corrupt woman who controls the women's cell block of the Cook County Jail, and D. Ratell is the tabloid reporter Mary Sunshine. Rounding out this cast of all stars are the incredible ensemble members. Together, this cast executes phenomenal choreographed dance numbers with amazing precision and sings the famous Kander and Ebb score effortlessly.

Whether you've seen the movie a dozen times or none at all, this show is two-and-a-half hours of murderous mayhem and fun. The tour will be stopping at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri from March 2nd through March 4th, and then at Mary W. Sommervold Hall in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from March 6th through March 8th before continuing along their tour schedule. A link to the full tour schedule and places to purchase tickets can be found below. This is not a show to miss!

Chicago Tour Schedule