Review: CHICAGO at Times Union Center

Chicago is grand, great, swell, and fun! The iconic show is on its 20th Anniversary tour and has stopped here in Jacksonville for a weekend run. The cast is completely phenomenal and will leave audiences speechless.

After viewing audience members in the pit, I was curious as to where the orchestra was located. I was floored when the curtain rose, and the orchestra was right on stage with the cast members. Even better, the cast communicated with the conductor throughout the show and he became an even bigger piece of the performance. The set design included chairs and ladders, and a few props here and there. This minimal set required the audience to use their imagination more so than any other show because the set never changed. The audience also became a part of the show. After intermission Mama, played by Jennifer Fouché, and one of her guards came on stage to bring the "inmates" back to their seats for the second act.

There are no words for just how amazing this cast was. I was extremely impressed by every single member of the production. Roxie Hart, performed by Dylis Croman, was an absolute force. She left audiences giggling and stunned at her amazing voice and dancing. Croman reminded me of Marilyn Monroe in certain aspects, especially her voice. She played a ditsy girl who really wants attention from the press but is so oblivious to the world around her. Croman used several inflections in her voice that left the audience laughing after her scenes, as well as several interjections when speaking with Velma and Billy. Croman also breaks the fourth wall several times throughout the show, most notably her number "Roxie". She addresses the audience as if they were actually there in a Chicago women's prison. Velma Kelly, played by Terra C. MacLeod, was a show stopper. The way she was able to control her voice and dance simultaneously was astounding. She kept great time with the ensemble, and everyone was incredibly in sync. One of her greatest performances of the night was "All That Jazz" that really set up the entire show. MacLeod was also superb in her duet with Mama, "Class", and her harmony throughout the piece was beautiful. Billy Flynn, performed by Jeff McCarthy, had great comedic timing, especially during "We Both Reached for the Gun". He was able to keep his composure and kept with the fast pace and comedic number very well. Lastly, the ensemble was astonishing. "Cell Block Tango" really blew me away. Each of the girls made the characters their own in the iconic number. The whole ensemble was completely in sync during the entire show, from each little move, to the most extravagant dance number. They left the audience in awe of just how talented the cast was.

Overall, the production was absolutely sensational and proves why it has stood the test of time. The show still remains a classic that should be seen by all. The cast and orchestra were all extremely talented and entertaining throughout the production. Chicago will be in Jacksonville until May 20 at the Times Union Center.