| Book: | Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse |
| Music: | John Kander |
| Lyrics: | Fred Ebb |
| Director: | Walter Bobbie |
| Choreography: | Ann Reinking |
| Music Director: | Rob Fisher |
| Sets: | John Lee Beatty |
| Costumes: | William Ivey Long |
| Lighting: | Ken Billington |
| Sound: | Scott Lehrer |
| Original Orchestration: | Ralph Burns |
| Dance Music Arrangements: | Peter Howard |
| Script Adaptation: | David Thompson |
| Musical Coordinator: | Seymour Red Press |
| Associate Producer: | Alecia Parker |
| Opened: | 11/96 at the Richard Rodgers Theater |
| With: | Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, Joel Grey, Marcia Lewis and D. Sabella |
 Chicago Carol Rosegg |
The indisputable runaway hit of the season. Witty and sophisticated, this musical spins the tale of Roxie Heart (Reinking), a woman who becomes a media darling after she murders her lover and goes on to a spectacular trial. A self-proclaimed tribute to the smart, stylish footwork of choreographer Fosse, the production never forgets the genius he brought not only to
Chicago but also to
Cabaret and
Sweet Charity. The musical features a 13-piece jazz orchestra on stage and rollicking production numbers, led by a line of kicky chorines. Especially sizzling are “Razzle-Dazzle,” “Mister Cellophane,” “All That Jazz” and the exquisitely staged “Cell Block Tango.” Neuwirth is a talent to be reckoned with as the conniving Velma, who dreams of transforming her own notoriety into a career in the biz, while Reinking strikes a delicious chord between remorsefulness and cold-heartedness. In the midst of all the fantastic showstoppers, the musical also takes a swipe at the American justice system with an air of cynicism and humor.
