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Chicago, The Musical is the latest broadway show to hit our town. Opening on 30 March 2000 at the Kallang Theatre, this Tony Award-winning musical has already been seen by over 6.5 million people across 11 countries. Hailed as one of the most successful musicals of the decade, it has enthralled audiences in cities such as New York (1997) and London (1998) and news of its impending arrival has kept theatre buffs in Singapore buzzing with excitement. The Singapore Law Gazette takes this opportunity to provide you with a preview of Chicago, the Musical and the talented cast who are set to razzle-dazzle our senses!
The Story
Based on a 1926 play by a former Chicago Tribune journalist, Chicago tells the story of a nightclub dancer's aspirations for vaudeville stardom. To achieve her dreams, Roxie Hart kills her lover and convinces her husband to hire Chicago's shrewdest lawyer, Billy Flynn, who gets her acquitted and turns her crime into celebrity headlines. Along the way, Roxie encounters Velma Kelly, a fellow murderess at Cook County Jail, resulting in a 'ravishing song and dance comedy about two young American women in 1929 getting away with murder, thanks to a lawyer so bent he can barely look anyone straight in the eye' (London Evening Standard, 19 November 1997)!
A revival of a 1975 musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, this 1996 version choreographed by Ann Reinking (Best Choreography, Tony Awards 1997) pays tribute to Fosse by preserving his legendary style. Combined with a more minimalist set than the earlier musical, 'deceptively simple staging' and fantastic music, 'the result is electrifying' (Sydney Morning Herald, 1 March 1999).
The Cast
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Australian production about to set our Singapore stage
alight comprises a talented cast drawn from the very best
stars in Australia. Marking her professional debut in the the role of Roxie Hart is 23 year-old Chelsea Gibb, a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Chelsea was spotted at the Chicago auditions by Ann Reinking (who played Roxie herself on Broadway), who recognised her talent and ability to fulfil the role of Roxie. As David Atkins, the Executive Director of Chicago, says, 'The critics agreed and Chelsea Gibb became a star.' The 'wickedly funny' Velma Kelly is played by Sharon Millerchip, a veteran performer who started at the age of 12. Sharon, winner of two Mo Awards, has performed in major theatre productions in Australia, including Phantom of the Opera, Into the Woods and West Side Story. She is also part of a cabaret trio who has performed to rave reviews in the US and been nominated for a prestigious MAC Award for Best Vocal Comedy Group in Manhattan this year. Simon Burke plays the 'silver-tongued prince of the courtroom', Billy Flynn. Simon is one of Australia's most acclaimed and versatile performers, winning the AFI Best Actor Award at the age of 13. He has performed extensively on stage, in television and cabaret. Simon has played, amongst many others, Marius in the original Australian cast of Les Miserables and Raoul in the London production of Phantom of the Opera. In an exclusive with the Singapore Law Gazette, Chelsea Gibb, Sharon Millerchip and Simon Burke agreed to share their thoughts on Chicago and life in the theatre by responding to some questions which were posed to them. |
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What do you enjoy most about performing in Chicago? Which is the most memorable song for you in this musical?
Chelsea: Putting myself into someone else's shoes for three hours. 'Roxie', my signature tune.
Sharon: That's a hard one because I love everything - the dancing, the singing, the intelligent storyline. However, what I probably enjoy the most is the wonderful comedy and the fact that I get to interact with the audience. Usually, in a musical, you perform as though the audience isn't really there, but in Chicago, the audience and performers get to develop a rapport. Every song is a showstopper, but, personally, I love 'All That Jazz' and 'Velma Takes a Stand' because I get such a dynamic exit.
Simon: There is nothing not to enjoy! The show is so well written, musically and book-wise, and the production so slick and tight and clever, and my co-workers so talented (ie the entire cast) that it makes coming to work each day a total joy. I love the big ensemble numbers best. I think I like 'All That Jazz' because the production after all is a homage to the genius of Bob Fosse and the dancers in our ensemble are just so inspiring to watch. As for performing, I think 'All I Care About Is Love' is the most fun for me — who wouldn't want to sing on stage surrounded by six beautiful women framing you adoringly with pink feathers?
How would you describe your character in Chicago and what attracted you to this role?
Chelsea: She is a child in an adult's body who sees a chance to have her one true dream and grabs it. I was attracted to the joy she finds in any given situation.
Sharon: I really wanted to play Velma because she is so different to any other character I have played before. I usually play young 'girly' characters and Velma is definitely a WOMAN! Brassy, intelligent, funny, crafty with a healthy dose of being sinister — the perfect role.
Simon: Billy Flynn is a dream role for any actor — which is what attracted me to him: he's smart,uncompromising, charming, witty, ruthless and gets to stand there and watch all the action that he has manipulated unfold around him — and he gets three great numbers!
Do you enjoy being in a touring production?
Chelsea: It has its ups and downs.
Sharon: Being on tour with a group of young energetic people like the Chicago cast is like being at school camp. We all hang out together and do all the usual touristy things. Everyone gets on very well which is lucky as you never get lonely. Also it's a great way to see the world. Many of us have never been to Singapore before so we're very excited.
Simon: Touring is only fun when the people you work with are fun to play with — and I think we are all fortunate that we are such FUNSEEKERS!
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you or the other performers in the show ever forget your
lines, and if so, how do you handle it? Chelsea: Once or twice, when it happens you simply take it as it comes and move on, unless you giggle too much. Sharon: Well yes, occasionally one of us loses a line but of course the trick is to never let the audience know. Once I completely forgot some lyrics to a song so I made them up on the spot. Actually, they were pretty good and they even rhymed! It's amazing what the mind is capable of in an emergency. As judges and lawyers, I'm sure your readers can relate! Simon: All performers are human beings, thank God, so naturally little slip-ups can occur — sometimes these are very funny — sometimes quite embarrassing, but experience teaches you to pick up the ball and run with it no matter what happens. Do you miss home when on tour? Chelsea: I don't really have one. Sharon: Yes, very much. I have a wonderful husband who stays behind in Sydney and we miss each other terribly. Luckily, he is coming to visit in Singapore. Yippee!!! Simon: Depends on the accommodation I'm given! I am really excited about playing this show in Singapore and Hong Kong and I love travelling, so the answer would probably be no. |
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Do you find it boring or monotonous performing the same show night after night?
Chelsea: Definitely not. Most people go to work everyday — I feel lucky to perform everyday as a job. I am very grateful for this.
Sharon: I was in both Cats and Phantom of the Opera for over two years and, yes, boredom can become a problem. I think that being able to combat that feeling is in fact a really important skill. You must remember that it's the first time the audience has seen the show, and every line must sound as though it's the first time you've ever said it, every joke must be spontaneous. You must stay focused and motivated — that's our job and the audience deserves it. Luckily, Chicago is a brilliant, clever, challenging show, which makes it easy to stay really motivated. We love what we do — that helps.
Simon: Having done leading roles in many long-running musicals over the years both in Australia and the UK, I can honestly say that although just playing the role once is an extraordinarily challenging prospect, that is only 10% of our job — 90% of our job is making it look like it is the FIRST time you have ever said that line or sung that song. I always try to remember that sitting in the audience every night is a 25th wedding anniversary couple or someone celebrating his 60th birthday or someone who has never seen a musical before — it is our job to make it special for them.
Our readers are busy lawyers. How would you convince them to go to the theatre to see Chicago?
Chelsea: I think people stopped expanding their minds when TV and videos entered our society. To convince someone to come, I would say you will walk away feeling that you have experienced something other than that which is comfortable and walked away feeling excited that you have done so.
Sharon: This is the perfect show for them. It's all about their world. Perhaps some of them may recognise themselves in the smooth operator Billy Flynn, ha, ha! He never lets the truth get in the way of a good acquittal. This show is intelligent, perceptive, cynical and above all, humorous. Lawyers will perhaps relate to this show better than anyone. And if they want to leave the rigours of their professional life behind, there are plenty of wonderful songs, riotous laughs and beautiful dancers to keep them entertained.
Simon: Come and get a few tricks from me — Chicago's hottest lawyer — I ain't never lost a case yet! See you there!
