Theater Reviews

Sep 16, 2006 - "Chicago," and all that jazz, comes to Reno and it's an unabashed sensation

By By Jack Neal

If you love razzle dazzle, great dancing, superlative singing, a super production, a talented troupe of performers who give their all, and dark, dark humor, you'll love the revamped "Chicago" which opened in Reno Wednesday night (9/13/06).

The Ann Reinking version of "Chicago," the stage musical, is at Reno's Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts for an all-too-short seven performance run. It's part of the Pioneer's Broadway Comes to Reno series. "Chicago" is one of the shows, and there have been several, which epitomize in every way the very best in the true Broadway tradition.

Welcome to the Great White Way. "Chicago" is the real Broadway thing and Reno-Sparks theater buffs shouldn't miss this opportunity to experience the right stuff when it's right here in our own backyard.

The last time I saw "Chicago" it starred Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera and Jerry Orbach. They were terrific. This time it stars Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly and Michelle DeJean as Roxie Hart, the show's two murdering sweethearts, and Gregory Harrison as the shyster lawyer Billy Flynn. These three don't block out sweet memories of Verdon, Rivera and Orbach, but they do create awesome memories of their own.

DeJean (Roxie) gives a knock'em dead (no pun intended) performance. MacLeod (Velma) is equally riveting. Harrison (Billy) is all things Billy should be – slick, unscrupulous and magnetic.

The good news out of this "Chicago" outing is that its stars are not alone in the fine performance department. There isn't one flaw in this wonderfully performed and entertaining Broadway Comes to Reno show.

Carol Woods is a fabulous Matron "Mama" Morton, warden of Women's prison. R. Bean could not be better as the operatic Mary Sunshine who trills her way into the heart of anyone who adores over-the-top opera stars. Bean's is an eat-your-heart-out Sarah Brightman performance. Ron Orbach is Amos, Roxie's shy and loving husband. Orbach's "Mr. Cellophane" is a four-Kleenex showstopper.

The remainder of the cast of 20, act, sing and dance in the finest tradition of American musical theater; and with this stylized show, ala the Bob Fosse tradition, that's a challenge every superb step of the way.

Ann Reinking has choreographed in the Fosse style, yet leaves her own brilliant stylistic stamp on the show. Gary Chryst has prepared the dancing (after Reinking's work) for this current "Chicago" presentation. Nothing has been lost in the translation. The company moves, poses and postures with snap and panache. Walter Bobbie is the director of all these grand happenings and he doesn't let the show's progression of dark humor slow for one moment. Bobbie's "Chicago" comes in at a crisp, clean two-and-one-half hours with intermission.

John Kander's music and Fred Ebb's lyrics fit the Chicago jazz scene like white gloves fit dancer's hands in so much Fosse choreography. "All That Jazz," "Mister Cellophane" and "Razzle Dazzle" all dazzle as does the solid fourteen-piece band that gives the show the oomph only a real orchestra can provide. Ken Billington's lighting also dazzles and nicely highlights John Lee Beatty's dark, Rembrandt-looking set. William Ivey Long's revealing costumes have an enticing look all their own.

"Chicago" is current, choice and lives up to its Broadway heritage in the grand manner. It's nothing less than sensational.

"Chicago" can be seen at Reno's Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (9/13-15/06) at 8 p.m., Saturday (9/16) at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday (9/17) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For information call 775-686-6600.