Chicago heads to Canberra

Chicago heads to Canberra

Australia’s leading theatre producer John Frost for Crossroads Live has announced that the acclaimed production of one of Australia’s favourite musicals, Chicago, will open in Canberra in September this year, the first time a professional production of this Broadway favourite has played in Australia’s capital city.

The longest-running show currently playing on Broadway, this scorching hot masterpiece includes a dazzling score that includes “All That Jazz”, “Cell Block Tango” and “Razzle Dazzle”. Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, it’s no wonder Chicago has been honoured with six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, and a Grammy®.

A stellar cast has been assembled for Chicago. One of Australian theatre’s greatest leading men, Anthony Warlow (The Phantom of the Opera), has stepped into the shoes of the cunning and charismatic lawyer Billy Flynn. Returning to the stage to play the powerful and glamorous Velma Kelly is one of Australia’s favourite actors, Zoë Ventoura (Packed to the Rafters). Joining her as the irreverent and determined Roxie Hart is in-demand musical theatre star Lucy Maunder (Mary Poppins). As Roxie’s gullible and hapless husband, Amos, is much-loved comedy icon and character actor Peter Rowsthorn. Following her star turn as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Asabi Goodman plays the tough and sassy prison warden Matron ‘Mama’ Morton. 

“The sharpest, slickest show on the block” (The Times UK) is currently playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne to capacity audiences and critical acclaim, following sell out seasons in Perth and Brisbane. Chicago transfers to Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 9 June and the Festival Theatre, Adelaide from 4 August.

“I’m thrilled to add Canberra to the national tour of our new production of Chicago,” said producer John Frost. “Chicagohas 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. Come along and enjoy the razzle dazzle of this New York institution.”

“The Canberra community and broader region regularly come out in force for a visiting musical, from Mamma Mia, to Come from Away, and now Chicago. As a major tourism drawcard, it provides an experience for our outstanding tourism, arts and hospitality sectors to leverage from,” said Minister for the Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Tara Cheyne. 

“Slick, clean and polished… Chicago is the show of the year!” – Australian Arts Review

Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery, treachery… and All That Jazz. What else could you desire in a musical? The original and the best, Chicago is back. It would be a crime to miss it!

Tickets available now at chicagomusical.com.au

Zoë Ventoura and ensemble in “All That Jazz” Chicago (c) Jeff Busby