There are very few musicals that we love enough to see every time they’re staged. There’s Cabaret. Avenue Q. And though it was only performed once that we know of, a local kindergarten production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
But above all, our all-time fave is Chicago, the classic Kander and Ebb musical that originally featured the show-stopping style of Bob Fosse choreography. (This most recent revival only keeps his full direction in one number, but his influences are throughout.)
So we are thrilled to have Chicago back in Dallas at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. The tale of sassy, bad-ass, jazz-addicted female killers has some of the catchiest songs with the most clever lyrics ever written.
The show stars John O’Hurley, who’s perhaps best known for his role as J. Peterman on Seinfeld. Here, he takes on the role of shady lawyer Billy Finn with gusto and panache.
Tracy Shayne and Terra C. MacLeod as Roxie and Velma, the two murderesses at the focus of the story, aren’t quite as dynamic as we’d like, but still incredibly talented and a joy to watch. Just beware Shayne’s blonde wig, which has a life of its own. (And we sincerely hope it’s a wig and not her real hair. If so, there should be a hairdresser lawsuit pending.)
It’s Keica Lewis Evans as Matron “Mama” Morton who really gets the party started, though, so thankfully her first number is early on. She’s bold, sassy and easily has the best set of pipes in the entire production, elevating the performances of every one after she hits the stage.
They don’t make ‘em like Chicago any more, but as long as they keep reinventing the original, that’s the next best thing.
CHICAGO
Through August 26
Tickets: $30 – $150
AT&T Performing Arts Center
Winspear Opera House
2403 Flora Street, Dallas
(214) 880-0202
www.attpac.org
