Chicago (1975 BROADWAY /2000 FILM)KEY FACTS

MUSIC: John Kander LYRICS: Fred Ebb

BOOK:…………………………………..DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER: Fosse

BASIS:……………………………………………………….NARRATIVE:

Takes place in the20’s.Vaudeville.Roxy Kills someone and she goes to prison, Amus hires a lawyer- Billy Flyn. Velma also wanted the spot light (like Roxy).Roxy meets Velma in prison and they become a team and became a double act.

MAIN CHARACTERS:Billy Flyn.Roxy Hart.Amus.Matron Mama Morton.Marry Sunshire.Velma Kelly.

THEMES:

Show business- a show within a show.Relates to Fosse’s background of night clubs, the Burlesque style.Death.Love.Law.Court.

FORM/STYLE/STRUCTURE:

Musical Vaudeville.What happens real life reflects on Vaudeville- realism.Dark musicalCorruption and exploitation.Fosse’s favourite show business.Chicago a metaphor for what’s happening.

KEY SCENES:

All That Jazz, introduces Velma Kelly, introduces the theme of murder and death.Razzle Dazzle- court room Billy Flyn.1970’s there was no justice- they had already made their choice before they had even got into the court room.

DANCE & MUSIC STYLES:

Common Fosse styles- The Rake, The Stack, The Drip, The Crane, Linkage and Steam Heat.

He also liked to use hats and canes within his work.Fosse also included small gestures such as finger clicks often.Fosse loved his sound effects!!He preferred to work with a small ensemble of dancers.

In the photograph below there are a few of Fosse’s key actions that I have previously mentioned within his motifs: