UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.—“Chicago,” which opened to rave reviews Nov. 14, 1996, is the longest-running American musical in Broadway history, and it shows no sign of slowing down. The Tony Award-winning show will return to the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State for two performances -- 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, April 11 and 12 -- in Eisenhower Auditorium on the University Park campus of Penn State.
Set amid the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, “Chicago” is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines that could just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.
Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler with a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Ebb, “Chicago” is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.
Walter Bobbie is the director of the original New York City production and Ann Reinking the original choreographer in the style of Fosse. “Chicago” features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer. The production also features orchestrations by Ralph Burns and supervising music direction by Rob Fisher.
“Chicago” is a production not to be missed, and the critics agree. Time calls it “a triumph,” Newsweek raves that it’s “smashing” and Entertainment Weekly sums it up by calling it “Broadway’s most electrifying show.”
Audio description, which is especially helpful to patrons with sight loss, is available for the April 12 performance at no extra charge to ticket holders.
TIAA sponsors the presentation. WTAJ-TV and 93.7 THE BUS are the media sponsors.
Artistic Viewpoints, an informal moderated discussion featuring a visiting artist or artists, is offered in Eisenhower one hour before each performance and is free for ticket holders. Artistic Viewpoints regularly fills to capacity, so seating is available on a first-arrival basis.
To learn more about the presentation and for ticketing information, visit “Chicago” or call 814-863-0255.