Australia, prepare yourself for the razzle-dazzle of the hit musical Chicago, set to tour nationally throughout 2009 following a Gala Opening at Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre, QPAC. Winner of six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy® and thousands of standing ovations, Chicago is Broadway’s longest-running Musical Revival and the longest running American Musical every to play the West End.
It is nearly a decade since the “story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery” played in Australia. Known for its sizzling score and sensational choreography, Chicago is the story of a nightclub dancer, a smooth talking lawyer and a cell block of sin and merry murderesses.
“I’m thrilled to bring back to the Australian stage this wonderful musical, especially with the extraordinary cast we have assembled. Velma Kelly is the role which took Caroline O’Connor to Broadway for the first time, and her legion of fans will, I’m sure, be overjoyed to see her perform it once again. Sharon Millerchip has previously played Velma in Chicago ten years ago, and since has won awards for her many musical theatre roles. She will be an astonishing Roxie. Craig McLachlan blew us all away with his incredible audition, and he’s going to astound people with his talent as a musical theatre performer. And I am very excited to welcome Gina Riley back to the stage. Her strength, her presence and her powerhouse voice will make her a staggering Mama Morton. This truly is the perfect cast.
“Sassy, sinful and seductive, Chicago is a musical that thrills and chills which is why it continues to tour the world after so many years and has been seen by more than 15 million people. And there’s a whole new audience who loved the Oscar® winning film, and now will have the chance to experience Chicago live.”
The multi-award winning musical will be the first production to take centre stage in QPAC’s newly refurbished Lyric Theatre when it begins on 19 March 2009. Following the Brisbane season, Chicago will tour to the Lyric Theatre, Star City in Sydney, from 14 May, with other cities to follow. Tickets are already on sale for the Brisbane season, and tickets for the Sydney season go on sale on Monday 17 November 2008.