Overview
It's the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history. It's the longest-running production now currently playing Broadway, too. It's been seen by over 34-million people worldwide in 38 countries, and played more than 33,500 performances in 525-plus cities. And, it's won six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy.
The show: Chicago. It has also locked in a return date with Australia, splashing a healthy dose of 1920s razzle dazzle around the country from November 2023. First announced in June, the musical's big Aussie comeback has now locked in exact opening dates — and added Sydney to its tour, joining Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Come on Australians, why don't we paint the town? With all that jazz, the the record-breaking smash will shimmy back onto stages in Perth from November, then Brisbane from January 2024, then Melbourne next March and finally in Sydney from June.
This take on the original Kander & Ebb musical has also confirmed its cast. Get ready to see Zoë Ventoura (Home and Away) as Velma Kelly and Lucy Maunder (Mary Poppins) as Roxie Hart, plus Aussie theatre star Anthony Warlow (The Phantom of the Opera, The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) as Billy Flynn.
Also featuring: Peter Rowsthorn (Kath & Kim) as Roxie's husband Amos, Asabi Goodman (Hairspray) as prison warden Mama Morton and S. Valeri as crime reporter Mary Sunshine.
Jeremy Daniel
Inspiring 2002's Renée Zellweger (Judy)- and Catherine Zeta Jones (Wednesday)-starring Academy Award-winning film of the same name, Chicago tells the tale of housewife and nightclub dancer Roxie Hart. In the decadent 1920s, she twirls through a whirlwind of murdered lovers, jail time, fierce rivalries and tabloid sensationalism — all set to a toe-tapping soundtrack.
"What an extraordinary cast we have assembled for Chicago," said producer John Frost. "I'm delighted to bring Anthony Warlow back to the stage after his huge success in New York, in what is surely a perfect role for his talents. How could Velma and Roxie resist this clever and conniving Billy Flynn?"
"I'm very excited to welcome Zoë Ventoura to a Crossroads Live production, in what is sure to be a career highlight as Velma, and to welcome back Lucy Maunder as Roxie after working with her on Dr Zhivago, Grease and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Peter Rowsthorn will be a sensational Mr Cellophane, and Asabi Goodman astounded us in Hairspray so I know will blow the roof off as Matron Mama Morton."
Paul Kolnik
"Chicago has everything that people love about a Broadway musical — a story of fame, fortune and all that jazz, one show-stopping number after another and the most amazing dancing you've ever seen. We are thrilled to bring the razzle dazzle of this New York institution back to Australia," Frost continued.
Based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, the production showcases music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and choreography by Tony Award-winner Ann Reinking.
CHICAGO 2023/24 AUSTRALIAN TOUR:
From Tuesday, November 21, 2023 — Crown Theatre, Perth
From Tuesday, January 2, 2024 — Lyric Theatre QPAC, Brisbane
From Saturday, March 23, 2024 — Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne
From Sunday, June 9, 2024 — Capitol Theatre, Sydney
Chicago returns to Australia from November 2023. For pre sales from Monday, August 14 and general sales from Friday, August 18 for Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne — or to join the waitlist, or for more information — head to the production's website.
Top image: Jeff Busby, Chicago tour Australia 2019.