Chicago

The Play That Inspired the Musical

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Back during the era known as The Roaring 20’s, a writer named Maurine Dallas Watkins worked as a journalist for the Chicago Tribune. Her beat was the courthouse at the Cook County Criminal Building, where she covered murder trials. Two of the most notorious legal proceedings that Maurine reported for the Tribune involved a pair of women who were, in two unrelated court cases, accused of murdering their respective spouses. The actual names of the women were Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner. Both of their trials were sensationalized in the newspapers and on the streets, inspiring Miss Watkins to write a satirical, three-act play titled CHICAGO.  The theme of her cynical comedy focused on how the American justice system had lost its credibility, spotlighting how the murders had turned the two women into famous stars of crime. The salacious trials became nothing more than “Show Business.” And it’s all depicted in this comedy, the play that ultimately inspired the popular musical.

The 1926 play was Maurine Watkins’ greatest literary success. A year later she adapted it into a screenplay for a silent film version of the story. In her script, Miss Watkins changed the names of some of the real-life characters. Beulah Annan was the model for her main character, Roxie Hart, called “the prettiest woman ever charged with murder in Chicago.” Belva Gaertner was renamed Velma Kelly, also nicknamed “the stylish divorcee.” A composite of lawyers William Scott Stewart and W.W. O’Brien became prolific defense attorney, Billy Flynn. Later, in 1942, the comedy was filmed once again, this time with sound, and with the Hollywood star power provided by Ginger Rogers and Adolphe Menjou. The plot was basically the same, but with some changes that focused the story primarily on Roxie and Amos, while giving only a little screen time to Velma.

Maurine Watkins’ play eventually inspired a lively and lavish new musical adaptation of CHICAGO, that opened on Broadway in 1975. It boasted top talent and star power. The musical was written and scored by John Kander and Fred Ebb (CABARET, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN), directed by the magnificent Bob Fosse, and starred Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, Jerry Orbach and Barney Martin. Sadly, it was a musical far ahead of its time and ended up posting an early closing. But a stripped down, mega popular new version of CHICAGO returned to Broadway in 1996. Twenty-one years later the musical spoke to new audiences about the corruption in the administration of justice, and the prominence of the “celebrity criminal” today. The theatrical musical, sparked by the entertaining Oscar-winning film version, is still playing to sellout crowds, and is currently one of the longest-running shows on Broadway.

Talented Redtwist Theatre company members Eileen Dixon and Dusty Brown have adapted Maurine Dallas Watkins 1926 play into what they call “a queer adaptation.” All the characters are played by nine talented actors who, thanks to Ms. Dixon’s sparkling and sassy Direction, really know how to deliver comedy. This sharply perceptive, 90-minute one-act cuts through the detritus and nails the sharp satire about criminals, lawyers and journalists. And it does so by embracing Chicago of the Jazz Age and with a nod to the burlesque and vaudeville traditions of the period. Eileen Dixon paces her brisk production with the kick of a Charleston, the tangled grapevine of a Foxtrot and the passion of a Tango. Guided by Ms. Dixon’s typical wit and wisdom, and economically staged on Brandii Champagne’s adaptable Scenic Design, this production simply sizzles. The satirical comedy is even further enhanced by Madeline Felauer’s inventive, tongue-in-cheek Costumes that color each character with added creativity.

The entire company of comedic actors is as spicy and flavorful as a deep dish pizza. The cast is led by lovely Chelsea Rolfes, as Roxie Hart. A seasoned actress with Redtwist, Babes With Blades, First Folio and many other Windy City companies, Ms. Rolfes is saucy and sexy and isn’t afraid to leave it all on the stage. She beautifully portrays this brassy, bitchy young woman who quickly learns how to work the system and use her new-found notoriety to climb the ladder of success. Roxie sets her sights on Fame and won’t settle for anything less.

Chelsea is matched by the superb performance of Jack Seijo as the solicitor to the stars, Billy Flynn. Ironically, Mr. Seijo also appears half-clothed in the first scene as Fred Casely, Roxie’s secret lover and murder victim. A familiar face at a host of Chicago theaters, Jack earned a Jeff nomination at Redtwist for his excellent performance in ISAAC’S EYE. Mr. Seijo plays Roxie’s illicit lover with smarmy sex appeal; but he really shakes up the stage as Billy Flynn, a charismatic, fast-talking, wheeler-dealer of a lawyer. The way Jack works his clients, as well as the every member of the police force and the press corps, is magical. Jack Seijo’s performance is absolutely stellar.

Laura Sturm returns to Redtwist Theatre, after appearing last season in TITUS ANDRONICUS and BOTTLE FLY. She portrays the funny, fantastic and fawning Velma Kelly, who over time has become a legend in her own mind. Ms. Sturm also has a cameo near the end of the play as Machine Gun Rosie. An amazing series of characters are played by Caroline Kidwell. The multi-gifted actress returns to Redtwist after appearing in so many wonderful productions, such as TITUS ANDRONICUS, MAN CAVE and BOTTLE FLY. Ms. Kidwell was also a delight in Hell in a Handbag’s MURDER REWROTE. Here she plays Roxie’s two very different cellmates, including Go to Hell Kitty, “the Tiger Girl,” and “God’s Messenger,” Liz, a religious, hymn-singing inmate. She also humorously portrays assistant state’s attorney, Martin Harrison. And Macaria Chaparro is simply lovely and stoic as Magdelena, another, “not-guilty” inmate, as well as the hilarious and fast-talking Sgt. Murdock.

JT Nagle returns to Redtwist to portray sad and pitiful Amos Hart, Roxie’s milquetoast, meal ticket husband. Another familiar face from Redtwist’s BOTTLE FLY, as well as appearing in their excellent production of HOW TO TRANSCEND A HAPPY MARRIAGE, Shaina Toledo is wonderful as Moe Watkins. Smart and smug, Mr. Watkins takes control of the Roxie Hart murder case. Jasmine Robertson, seen at Redtwist in their production of REGRESSION, plays Zelda Morton, the motherly matron of the Cook County Jail. She also appears as the Judge. And gorgeous Ashley Anderson makes her Redtwist Theatre debut as a sympathetic and sweet-tempered Mary Sunshine, the “Sob Sister” journalist at The Evening Star.

Redtwist Theatre continues their 21st Season, called “Defiant Femmes,” with the World Premiere of CHICAGO: Queerly Adapted From the Play You’ve Never Heard of That Inspired the Musical You Can’t Get Away From. Adapted with an eye and ear for the true, fast-paced Chicago Style of Comedy, this production is hilarious and exhilarating to boot. Penned by Redtwist’s Producing Artistic Director, Eileen Dixon, and Executive Director, Dusty Brown, all the unnecessary details from Maurine Dallas Watkins’ 1926 script have been trimmed away. The result is a perfect, streamlined show for 21st century audiences. Given the current political climate, everyone’s in need of a good laugh. And this fast-paced confection of comical caricatures is guaranteed to lift every theatergoer’s spirits and fill them with merriment.                   

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 16-November 23 by Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago.  

Tickets are available in person at the box office or by going to www.RedtwistTheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com