Catch razzle-dazzle of Chicago

SOME of Durban’s top musicians will be centre-stage, performing live for every performance of KickstArt’s high-kicking razzle-dazzle, Kander and Ebb musical, Chicago, which comes to the UKZN campus’ Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 8 to 30 April.

Oozing gritty sex appeal, Chicago follows KickstArt’s previous cutting-edge contemporary musicals: Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods and Cabaret. Chicago features music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The Durban staging will be directed by Steven Stead, designed by Greg King and lighting design by Tina le Roux.

The live band features the talents of Evan Roberts (MD, conductor and piano); Sidney Rash (drums); Ildo Nandja (bass); Siyanda Zulu (trumpet); Duncan Woolridge (trombone); Reanne De Klerk (sax and clarinet); Salim Washington (sax, clarinet and flute) Jane Baillie (violin) and Ryan Canning (piano).

Chicago features a slew of fabulous show-stopping numbers: All that Jazz; When You’re Good to Mama; Cell Block Tango; Mister Cellophane and Razzle Dazzle.

“I count myself as extremely honoured to be the MD of this production for many reasons: It’s the second longest running show in Broadway history behind Phantom of the Opera; the film version won the Academy Award for Best Picture; it’s written and composed by musical theatre icons John Kander and Fred Ebb and I am working with nine of Durban’s finest musicians!” considers Evan Roberts.

“The brilliance of the music in Chicago is evident not only in the several songs that are instantly recognisable to many (All That Jazz, Razzle Dazzle and so on) but also in the clever, although complex arrangements which take their inspiration mainly from 1920’s jazz with elements of circus, opera, rag time and others. The music, storyline and character portrayal reflect themes we are accustomed to today – crime, sex, murder, alcohol and celebrity to reflect the human condition as perceived in the 1920s and 2017.”

The Chicago music was originated by highly-successful American Tony Award winning song-writing duo, Kander and Ebb who were primarily known for their award-winning stage musicals. John Kander, (born 1927) composed the music, while Fred Ebb, (1928 – 2004) wrote the lyrics. In 1975, following on from their greatest musical Cabaret, written in 1966, they brought the vaudeville-inspired Chicago to life. The team created 20 musicals – including Fosse and Kiss of the Spiderwoman. They also scored a number of movies including the theme song for Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York – a track which later became Frank Sinatra’s signature song, and the great Barbra Streisand, James Caan, Omar Sharif vehicle, Funny Lady.

Chicago centres on vaudevillian showgirl, Velma Kelly (Katy Moore) and housewife, Roxie Hart (Jessica Sole) as two murderesses who find themselves in jail awaiting trial – fighting for the fame that will keep them from the gallows. Also in the cast are Billy (Jason Ralph); Mama Morton (Charon Williams Ros); Mary Sunshine (Anne Marie Clulow) and Amos (Bryan Hiles).

Book for all 2017 KickstArt shows at Computicket at www.computicket.co.za or call 0861-915-8000 or visit a Shoprite Checkers Money Market counter.

For enquiries for block bookings of 50 or more people or entire performances, contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places at editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com or 083-250-2690.

Visit www.kickstarttheatre.co.za.

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