Latest news with #ChicagotheMusical
Scoop
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Chicago – The Musical Announces 'Criminally Great' Cast!
Press Release – Sandra Roberts The razzle dazzle is back—and bolder than ever. The global smash-hit Chicago the Musical today announces its 'criminally great' cast ahead of its strictly limited season touring Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin starting next month. Taking centre stage in this bold new production is a stellar line-up of Aotearoa talent, led by entertainment icon Jackie Clarke as the indomitable Mamma Morton, alongside musical theatre powerhouse Nomi Cohen (Kinky Boots, We Will Rock You) as the sly and ambitious Roxie Hart, and Lily Bourne (Shortland Street, Fun Home) as the sharp and sizzling Velma Kelly. They're joined by screen and stage favourite Joel Tobeck (Shortland Street, One Lane Bridge, Avatar: The Way of Water) as the slick, silver-tongued lawyer Billy Flynn, seasoned actor Andy Grainger (Jersey Boys, The Brokenwood Mysteries) as Roxie's loyal husband Amos Hart, burlesque star Hannah Tasker-Poland (Legend of the Seeker, Ash vs Evil Dead) as the fiery inmate Liz, and veteran performer Stephen Butterworth (Pop-up Globe, Lord of the Rings) as the stern but theatrical Judge. Helmed by acclaimed Kiwi theatre director Michael Hurst ONZM, this striking new staging of Chicago promises to deliver all the scandal, sass and showstopping musical numbers that have made it a global sensation—including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, and Razzle Dazzle. Joining him in sculpting the show's dynamic visual world is celebrated choreographer Shona McCullagh MNZM while the elaborate set is being created by award-winning designer Chris Reddington. Premiering at Auckland's Bruce Mason Centre from 31 July, then heading to Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal from 17 August, and finally Dunedin's Regent Theatre from 29 August, this is a strictly limited run of one of the most popular musical theatre shows in history. Featuring a cast of top-tier singers, dancers, and actors, this is a full-scale professional production set to light up the stage with its intoxicating mix of 1920s glamour, Prohibition-era grit, and dazzling choreography. 'Chicago the Musical is one of the world's most iconic stage shows. It's a delicious blend of showbiz, crime, and satire—with a dream cast to match. We can't wait to share this knockout production with audiences across the country,' says producer Ben McDonald. Based on real events and created by the legendary Broadway trio John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse, Chicago is a searing satire on celebrity and justice, set in a world where fame is the ultimate currency and murder is just the opening act. Chicago centres on Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who dreams of being a vaudeville star. She's cheating on her sweet but dim-witted husband named Amos — and when her lover tries to end their affair, she kills him in a fit of rage. Getting thrown in the Cook County Jail seems like a surefire end to Roxie's dreams of stardom, but her sentence ends up being her ticket to fame. Her lawyer, the smooth-talking Billy Flynn, helps her concoct a defence that earns the press' sympathy and gets her face on the cover of every newspaper in Chicago. And while in jail, Roxie meets Velma Kelly, an established vaudeville star who murdered her husband and sister. The women begin as rivals, as Roxie seeks to steal Velma's lawyer (Billy) and her spotlight, but they come around to an unlikely alliance. Chicago is a spectacle full of social satire, intrigue, love, betrayal, rivalry and friendship, a pageant of music and dance that adroitly shifts between reality and fantasy, as Roxie Hart's world moves from prison to the courtroom to the stage. With a trophy shelf that includes six Tonys, two Oliviers, a Grammy, and six Academy Awards, Chicago is the longest-running musical revival in Broadway history and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Chicago – The Musical Announces 'Criminally Great' Cast!
The razzle dazzle is back—and bolder than ever. The global smash-hit Chicago the Musical today announces its 'criminally great' cast ahead of its strictly limited season touring Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin starting next month. Taking centre stage in this bold new production is a stellar line-up of Aotearoa talent, led by entertainment icon Jackie Clarke as the indomitable Mamma Morton, alongside musical theatre powerhouse Nomi Cohen (Kinky Boots, We Will Rock You) as the sly and ambitious Roxie Hart, and Lily Bourne (Shortland Street, Fun Home) as the sharp and sizzling Velma Kelly. They're joined by screen and stage favourite Joel Tobeck (Shortland Street, One Lane Bridge, Avatar: The Way of Water) as the slick, silver-tongued lawyer Billy Flynn, seasoned actor Andy Grainger (Jersey Boys, The Brokenwood Mysteries) as Roxie's loyal husband Amos Hart, burlesque star Hannah Tasker-Poland (Legend of the Seeker, Ash vs Evil Dead) as the fiery inmate Liz, and veteran performer Stephen Butterworth (Pop-up Globe, Lord of the Rings) as the stern but theatrical Judge. Helmed by acclaimed Kiwi theatre director Michael Hurst ONZM, this striking new staging of Chicago promises to deliver all the scandal, sass and showstopping musical numbers that have made it a global sensation—including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, and Razzle Dazzle. Joining him in sculpting the show's dynamic visual world is celebrated choreographer Shona McCullagh MNZM while the elaborate set is being created by award-winning designer Chris Reddington. Premiering at Auckland's Bruce Mason Centre from 31 July, then heading to Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal from 17 August, and finally Dunedin's Regent Theatre from 29 August, this is a strictly limited run of one of the most popular musical theatre shows in history. Featuring a cast of top-tier singers, dancers, and actors, this is a full-scale professional production set to light up the stage with its intoxicating mix of 1920s glamour, Prohibition-era grit, and dazzling choreography. 'Chicago the Musical is one of the world's most iconic stage shows. It's a delicious blend of showbiz, crime, and satire—with a dream cast to match. We can't wait to share this knockout production with audiences across the country,' says producer Ben McDonald. Based on real events and created by the legendary Broadway trio John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse, Chicago is a searing satire on celebrity and justice, set in a world where fame is the ultimate currency and murder is just the opening act. Chicago centres on Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who dreams of being a vaudeville star. She's cheating on her sweet but dim-witted husband named Amos — and when her lover tries to end their affair, she kills him in a fit of rage. Getting thrown in the Cook County Jail seems like a surefire end to Roxie's dreams of stardom, but her sentence ends up being her ticket to fame. Her lawyer, the smooth-talking Billy Flynn, helps her concoct a defence that earns the press' sympathy and gets her face on the cover of every newspaper in Chicago. And while in jail, Roxie meets Velma Kelly, an established vaudeville star who murdered her husband and sister. The women begin as rivals, as Roxie seeks to steal Velma's lawyer (Billy) and her spotlight, but they come around to an unlikely alliance. Chicago is a spectacle full of social satire, intrigue, love, betrayal, rivalry and friendship, a pageant of music and dance that adroitly shifts between reality and fantasy, as Roxie Hart's world moves from prison to the courtroom to the stage. With a trophy shelf that includes six Tonys, two Oliviers, a Grammy, and six Academy Awards, Chicago is the longest-running musical revival in Broadway history and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Michael Hurst-directed Chicago the Musical brings the razzle dazzle for NZ tour
Chicago the Musical promises to bring the glitz, glamour and gangster grit when it hits stages around the country from next month. The Herald has been given an exclusive look behind the scenes with a colourful and creative set of photographs taken recently in central Auckland as the cast and
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Today in Chicago History: Naperville native loses ‘Jeopardy!' after 32-day winning streak
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 3, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) High temperature: 95 degrees (1895) Low temperature: 37 degrees (1945) Precipitation: 2.9 inches (1885) Snowfall: None 1975: Walter Payton became the then highest-paid rookie in Chicago Bears history, signing a three-year contract that would pay him at least $150,000 a year (roughly $897,000 in today's dollars). The Bears' first-round pick decided to sign with the team while fishing on property in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, owned by his attorney, Bud Holmes. Also in 1975: 'Chicago the Musical' debuted on Broadway 50 years ago. It was based on the 1926 play of the same name by former Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins. Directed by Chicago native Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera and Jerry Orbach, the tale of an unfaithful wife who murders her lover then works the judicial system to secure her freedom was set against the backdrop of Prohibition and the Jazz Age. 1992: Michael Jordan dropped six 3-pointers en route to 35 first-half points during Game 1 of the NBA Finals — known as 'The Shrug' game — versus the Portland Trail Blazers and Clyde Drexler, whom some thought should have won the regular-season MVP award that Jordan captured. 2003: Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa was ejected in the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after his bat shattered on a groundout to second base and pieces of cork were found among the shards. Plate umpire Tim McClelland conferred with his crew, then ejected Sosa for using a corked bat. Sosa had 505 career home runs at that point, Tribune columnist Paul Sullivan later wrote, and many wondered how many had been hit with an illegal bat. The incident forever stained Sosa's reputation, though not as much as the belief he used steroids, which effectively has kept him out of the Hall of Fame. Column: Sammy Sosa-Chicago Cubs reunion is another Christmas miracle — ending the slugger's 20-year exile Sosa apologized 'from the bottom of my heart' after the game. He acknowledged ownership of the bat, explaining that he occasionally used it for batting practice and for home run exhibitions to entertain his fans. He said it had been inadvertently mixed in with his regular bats. Sosa was suspended for seven games and was traded after the 2004 season. He remained estranged from the Cubs until December 2024. 2019: Naperville native James Holzhauer's 'Jeopardy!' win streak ended after 32 consecutive days with total winnings of $2.46 million. The professional gambler lost to University of Chicago librarian Emma Boettcher. Q&A with 'Jeopardy!' champion James Holzhauer: On working for the Cubs, cashing in on his celebrity and changing how the game is played Holzhauer won the 'Jeopardy! Masters' tournament in 2023 for which he took home the Alex Trebek trophy and a $500,000 grand prize. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@ and mmather@
Chicago Tribune
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Today in Chicago History: Naperville native loses ‘Jeopardy!' after 32-day winning streak
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 3, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) 1975: Walter Payton became the then highest-paid rookie in Chicago Bears history, signing a three-year contract that would pay him at least $150,000 a year (roughly $897,000 in today's dollars). The Bears' first-round pick decided to sign with the team while fishing on property in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, owned by his attorney, Bud Holmes. Also in 1975: 'Chicago the Musical' debuted on Broadway 50 years ago. It was based on the 1926 play of the same name by former Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins. Directed by Chicago native Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera and Jerry Orbach, the tale of an unfaithful wife who murders her lover then works the judicial system to secure her freedom was set against the backdrop of Prohibition and the Jazz Age. 1992: Michael Jordan dropped six 3-pointers en route to 35 first-half points during Game 1 of the NBA Finals — known as 'The Shrug' game — versus the Portland Trail Blazers and Clyde Drexler, whom some thought should have won the regular-season MVP award that Jordan captured. 2003: Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa was ejected in the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after his bat shattered on a groundout to second base and pieces of cork were found among the shards. Plate umpire Tim McClelland conferred with his crew, then ejected Sosa for using a corked bat. Sosa had 505 career home runs at that point, Tribune columnist Paul Sullivan later wrote, and many wondered how many had been hit with an illegal bat. The incident forever stained Sosa's reputation, though not as much as the belief he used steroids, which effectively has kept him out of the Hall of Fame. Column: Sammy Sosa-Chicago Cubs reunion is another Christmas miracle — ending the slugger's 20-year exileSosa apologized 'from the bottom of my heart' after the game. He acknowledged ownership of the bat, explaining that he occasionally used it for batting practice and for home run exhibitions to entertain his fans. He said it had been inadvertently mixed in with his regular bats. Sosa was suspended for seven games and was traded after the 2004 season. He remained estranged from the Cubs until December 2024. 2019: Naperville native James Holzhauer's 'Jeopardy!' win streak ended after 32 consecutive days with total winnings of $2.46 million. The professional gambler lost to University of Chicago librarian Emma Boettcher. Q&A with 'Jeopardy!' champion James Holzhauer: On working for the Cubs, cashing in on his celebrity and changing how the game is playedHolzhauer won the 'Jeopardy! Masters' tournament in 2023 for which he took home the Alex Trebek trophy and a $500,000 grand prize. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
