CHICAGO The Musical Returns To South Africa

A nightclub singer, a double-murderess, a smooth-talking lawyer and a cell block of sin surrounded by the razzle dazzle of the world's sexiest musical returns in 2019! YOU'VE GOT IT COMIN' as the story of the award-winning Broadway and West End musical CHICAGO unfolds to show-stopping songs including 'All that Jazz', 'Cell Block Tango' and 'Mister Cellophane'.

The multi-talented all-South African touring cast, band and crew begin rehearsals in Johannesburg this month ahead of an international tour to New Zealand and China. The South African leg of the tour in association with BBC First brings CHICAGO back to Artscape, Cape Town from 15 March until 14 April 2019, thereafter heading to Montecasino's Teatro in Johannesburg from 20 April to 26 May 2019. Booking is open at Computicket.

From the opening line to curtain close - there's nothing like CHICAGO on stage. Originally staged in Cape Town and Johannesburg in 2005 and again, owing to popular demand, in 2008 at Montecasino's Teatro and Artscape, this show has been enjoyed by more than 210,000 theatre-goers. Reviewers and critics alike raved about the show. "This Musical is Hot with a capital H. It's so sexy that it sets temperatures soaring - even on a chilly night!" said The Citizen while The Tonight called the show "A class act all the way .... CHICAGO is impeccable, irresistible, unmissable" and Artslink simply summed up the show "A hot, hot ticket."

After eleven years, this sensual, seductive smash hit musical returns to these venues bringing back one of this country's most successful theatre productions. And, back for the show are leads Samantha Peo (Cabaret, West Side Story, Strictly Come Dancing) and Ilse Klink (Mamma Mia!, Show Boat, Isidingo), as well as Craig Urbani (Sound of Music, Rock of Ages, Scandal) who reprises the role of the devious lawyer, Billy Flynn in South Africa while Jonathan Roxmouth (Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Sweeney Todd) plays this role in New Zealand and China. Also returning to the show is KJ Haupt (Rocky Horror, Carmen, Phantom of the Opera) with Carmen Pretorius (Sound of Music, Jersey Boys, Lien se Lankstaanskoene) and Grant Towers (Funny Girl, Sound of Music, Avenue Q) joining the company in principal roles. Ensemble members from CHICAGO's 2005 and 2008 seasons, also returning to the show are husband and wife, Ferdi Gernandt and Diani Gernandt and Tandi Gavin as the Hungarian murderess, Hunyak. The remainder of the CHICAGO ensemble features Lesego van Niekerk, Raquel Munn, Natasha van der Merwe, Brittané van Loggerenberg, Jenna Child, Alexandra Girard, Jarryd Nurden, Michael Fullard, Hugo Madeleyn, Craig Arnolds, Thamsanqa Njoko, Sibusiso Mxosana, Darren Greef and Stephan van der Walt.

Produced by Showtime Management in association with Barry & Fran Weissler and David Ian CHICAGO has a combined South African and international creative team including Associate Director, Tania Nardini and Re-creation of New York Production Choreography by Gary Chryst, both of whom have staged CHICAGO across multiple continents. Award-winning Musical Director, Bryan Schimmel (Jersey Boys, Annie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) will lead the 11-piece orchestra and the sexy, stylish ensemble will once again razzle-dazzle South African audiences. This great musical is simply ... Broadway at its best.

"We are delighted to have most of the original company for our return, and I believe the tremendous talents of each and every member in the company will take this all-South African production to even greater heights in 2019." says Hazel Feldman, CHICAGO's SA Producer. "From its unique choreography in the style of Bob Fosse to its sizzling score and intriguing plot performed by some of this country's most talented performers makes it one show not to be missed."

Winner of six Tonys, two Oliviers, one Grammy, two Baftas and six Academy Awards, CHICAGO is the longest-running musical revival in Broadway history and truly is "The sharpest, slickest show on the block" (The Times, UK).

CHICAGO has everything that makes Broadway and the West End great - a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping song after another, including Razzle Dazzle; the sexiest, most sensational dancing and a sharply sophisticated set which incorporates the live orchestra.

It's no surprise that this devilishly delicious musical has brought cheering audiences to their feet all around the world, from Australia to Argentina, from Spain to South Africa. An estimated 31 million people have seen CHICAGO, which has played over 32,500 performances worldwide.

CHICAGO was first created by the legendary Broadway trio of John Kander (music), Fred Ebb (book/lyrics) and Bob Fosse (co-author, original director and choreographer) in 1975, and was based on a 1926 Broadway play written by Maurine Dallas Watkins, a journalist from the Chicago Tribune who had covered the sensational trials of two women, both of whom were accused of killing their lovers whilst under the influence of drink and jazz.

Kander and Ebb enjoyed a collaboration that spanned four decades, defined musical theatre on Broadway and earned them numerous awards. Bob Fosse was one of Broadway's biggest and brightest creative stars, renowned for his innovative and spectacular staging, with the emphasis on exhilarating dance sequences. He turned out one hit after another from the 1950s to the late 70s and is the only director so far to have won an Oscar, two Tony Awards and an Emmy Award in the same year, 1973.

In November 1996 a revival of CHICAGO opened on Broadway produced by Barry & Fran Weissler, and a year later they opened the show in London's West End. The rest, as they say, is history, as CHICAGO is currently playing its 22nd year in New York where it holds the record as the longest-running musical revival and the second longest-running musical in Broadway history. In the West End, CHICAGO ran for 15 years where it also became the longest-running musical revival as well as the longest-running Broadway musical to play there, and recently returned to London in March of this year; currently playing at The Phoenix Theatre. The show's global success has reached over 36 countries, and has been translated into 11 different languages.

CHICAGO continues to be one of the most successful international musical hits of all time. CHICAGO's international appeal stems from its enticing tale of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery-characteristics the entire world is drawn to. "I know a WHOOPEE spot ....." Book now for CHICAGO 2019 by calling Computicket on 083 915 8000 or book on line at www.computicket.com Computicket is the official ticketing partner for the Chicago 'The Musical', and tickets should not be purchased from any other supplier/outlets.

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