BWW Reviews: CHICAGO at The Paramount Theatre

 

The Parmount has once again brought Kander and Ebb's killer musical "Chicago" here to Seattle.  So how many times do we really need to see this show?  Apparently one more time if this is the production!

The show has been in Seattle several times before this.  I personally have seen two of those incarnations.  So if you're a musical theater lover you've probably seen one of them before.  And if somehow you missed the stage productions then you've more than likely seen the movie.  We focus on Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two women longing for fame at any cost.  Unfortunately the fame they have found has come in the form of murder.   Roxie has murdered her lover and Velma has murdered her husband and sister.  That's pretty much all you need to know.  As they say, "Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to see a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery, - all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts." 

So what makes this production so special?  If we've seen it all before then why see it again?  Because this production has it all and then some.  Yes, it has great singing and dancing, an engaging story, that superb Fosse choreography and yes there's enough skin for an Abercrombie and Fitch ad (gotta love those William Ivey Long costumes).  But it also has one of the best all around casts I've seen in awhile and they're all having a REALLY good time. 

John O'Hurley in Chicago" width="288" height="336">Brenda Braxton as Velma is nothing short of spectacular.  She says in her bio that she's been in and out of this show for six years and she shows no signs of slowing down her zeal for the part.  John O'Hurley (of "Seinfeld" fame) is on hand as Billy Flynn, the slickest lawyer in town who is sure to get you off (for a price).  "Chicago" has long been known for it's stunt casting in the lead roles.  They've had Melanie Griffith, Billy Zane, AshLee Simpson, and even a "Soprano" or two.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it's just for the name.  This time it worked!  O'Hurley manages to keep Flynn likeable and endearing while still remaining the slimiest lowlife in the show.  And his voice fits the part perfectly.  Tom Riis Farrell is wonderful as the hapless Amos Hart.  He keeps poor loveable Amos as naïve and bewildered as can be and then lets us all have it in his final moments of "Mr. Cellophane".  D. Micciche brings tons of prissy sweetness to Mary Sunshine and what a voice!  And Carol Woods is as sassy and powerful a Matron "Mama" Morton as I've seen.  And kudos to the rest of the ensemble for not only looking as good an anyone possibly could in skin tight outfits (or sometimes just skin) but also for really bringing fun, energy and heart to what are often just Fosse-bots carrying out their preprogrammed choreography.

But the real high point for the show is Bianca Marroquin as Roxie.  Marroquin started out performing the role in the Mexico company and then was brought over to New York.  Obviously due to the fact that she is not only a triple threat but a quintuple threat.  She's got the voice, she's got the dancing chops and she can act the hell out of the part (really some of the best comic timing around).  But she's also got the perfect look for the role and she infuses Roxie with depth and a true character arc.  Every single little nuance about Marroquin's performance blew me away.  An absolute joy to watch and here's hoping we get to see her again very soon.  If there are any TV,Film or Broadway producers reading this, if you need a vivacious and hilarious all around talent, then you need look no further.

So what I expected to be just another production of "Chicago" turned into THE production of "Chicago".  The alchemy of putting together a near perfect cast is achieved and has turned this into the best production of the show I've seen.  Do yourself a favor and catch this amazing cast before they sexily slink off to kill in another city.

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"Chicago" is performing at the Paramount Theatre through March 7^th.  For tickets or information call 877-STG-4TIX (784-4849) or visit them online at www.tickets.com, www.stgpresents.org or www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

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