{"id":45366,"date":"2019-09-15T00:00:51","date_gmt":"2019-09-14T14:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=45366"},"modified":"2019-09-18T12:04:47","modified_gmt":"2019-09-18T02:04:47","slug":"chicago-musical-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/chicago-musical-review\/","title":{"rendered":"And all that jazz! We review Chicago the Musical"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Is there a better place to be in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/Sydney-Hotels.d178312.Travel-Guide-Hotels?brandcid=LASTMINUTE-au.display.BLOG.SEP-19-CHICAGO-MUSICAL-REVIEW-BLOG.generic&amp;utm_source=BLOG&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=SEP-19-CHICAGO-MUSICAL-REVIEW-BLOG\" target=\"_blank\">Sydney<\/a> on a warm spring evening than the historic Capitol Theatre? I think not! Especially when the show on offer is <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.capitoltheatre.com.au\/chicago\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago<\/a><\/em>. The longest-running musical in Broadway and West End history is back in town and judging by the buzzing full house on this Thursday night, the Harbour City couldn\u2019t be happier about it.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B2Bi7b6gxmp\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"12\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B2Bi7b6gxmp\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Nicole Redfern (@nic.redfern)<\/a> on <time style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\" datetime=\"2019-09-05T09:15:59+00:00\">Sep 5, 2019 at 2:15am PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Set in Prohibition-era America, the award-winning stage production is based on real-life events in the roaring 1920s. Following the tale of Roxie and Velma \u2013 two glamorous women accused of murder who are competing for publicity as much as their own freedom \u2013 the stage sizzles with a scantily clad cast, dramatic lighting and sexy dance moves to kill.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_45374\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-45374\" class=\"size-full wp-image-45374\" src=\"https:\/\/lastminute-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/12105335\/CHICAGO-Australian-Production-2019-Pic-Credit-PETER-BREW-BEVAN-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-45374\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image courtesy of Jeff Busby<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This all-singing and dancing story of murder, media, greed, corruption and delusions of grandeur is a timeless satire of celebrity culture.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking of celebs, nothing draws a crowd to a well-known show like a well-known star or two and <em>Chicago<\/em> doesn\u2019t disappoint.<\/p>\n<p>Tom Burlinson, one of the country\u2019s most popular and successful actors, plays suave celebrity lawyer \u2013 and star in his own right \u2013 Billy Fynn. He brings stage presence, charisma and a confidence that only comes with a seasoned professional.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_45371\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-45371\" class=\"size-full wp-image-45371\" src=\"https:\/\/lastminute-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/12105254\/CHICAGO-SYDNEY-2019-photo-Jeff-Busby_2102-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-45371\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image courtesy of Jeff Busby<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Casey Donovan, winner of <em>Australia Idol<\/em> in 2004, brings her big voice to the role of take-no-prisoners Matron \u2018Mama\u2019 Morton, as well as an unexpected dose of humour, restraint and sass. Her solo \u2013 \u2018When You\u2019re Good to Mama\u2019 \u2013 is a showstopper.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_45370\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-45370\" class=\"size-full wp-image-45370\" src=\"https:\/\/lastminute-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/12105244\/CHICAGO-SYDNEY-2019-photo-Jeff-Busby_2357-683x10241.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1199\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-45370\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image courtesy of Jeff Busby<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Natalie Bassingthwaighte, best known from <em>Neighbours<\/em> and <em>The X Factor<\/em>, is also no stranger to the stage. Her theatre credits include <em>RENT<\/em> and <em>Grease \u2013 The Arena Spectacular<\/em> and she proves her versatility in <em>Chicago<\/em>, starring as co-lead Roxie Hart.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_45372\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-45372\" class=\"size-full wp-image-45372\" src=\"https:\/\/lastminute-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/12105306\/CHICAGO-SYDNEY-2019-photo-Jeff-Busby_2059-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1199\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-45372\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image courtesy of Jeff Busby<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And while she might not be a household name (yet!), Alinta Chidzey as fellow-lead Velma Kelly almost steals the show. An award-winning actor, she\u2019s starred in <em>West Side Story<\/em> and <em>Singin\u2019 in the Rain<\/em> among many others, and even performed alongside Hugh Jackman in his recent <em>Broadway to Oz<\/em> tour.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_45373\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-45373\" class=\"size-full wp-image-45373\" src=\"https:\/\/lastminute-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/12105320\/1-CHICAGO-SYDNEY-2019-photo-Jeff-Busby_1041-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-45373\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image courtesy of Jeff Busby<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Bassingthwaighte is a knock-out, bringing a light-hearted yet deadly playfulness to cute, ditzy, killer blonde Roxie, while Chidzey gives sass and sultry sophistication to Velma. As the two leads, they complement each other brilliantly.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_45368\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-45368\" class=\"size-full wp-image-45368\" src=\"https:\/\/lastminute-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/12105206\/CHICAGO-SYDNEY-2019-photo-Jeff-Busby_3163-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1199\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-45368\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image courtesy of Jeff Busby<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Combining catchy tunes (such as \u2018All That Jazz\u2019, \u2018Razzle Dazzle\u2019 and \u2018Cell Block Tango\u2019, all expertly brought to life by a 13-piece band), tight choreography and precision dance moves (I\u2019m looking at you, ensemble cast), and an unexpected number of laughs for a show centred around murder, <em>Chicago<\/em> is the musical gift that keeps on giving. Whether you\u2019ve seen the show (either the film or the stage musical) before or not, I highly recommend checking out its current run in Sydney (or next stop Brisbane, then Melbourne). Give yourself a little razzle dazzle, you deserve it \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<p><em>Nicole was a guest of Chicago the Musical but all opinions remain her own.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/Sydney-Hotels.d178312.Travel-Guide-Hotels?brandcid=LASTMINUTE-au.display.BLOG.SEP-19-CHICAGO-MUSICAL-REVIEW-BLOG.generic&amp;utm_source=BLOG&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=SEP-19-CHICAGO-MUSICAL-REVIEW-BLOG\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Check out hot Sydney stays<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is there a better place to be in Sydney on a warm spring evening than the historic Capitol Theatre? I..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":45374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,116],"tags":[4827,4829,4828,3263],"acf":{"credits":[{"name":"","label":"","full_url":""}],"enable_review_score":false},"posts_api_cpm_point":"","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45366"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45366"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45379,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45366\/revisions\/45379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}