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Jun 2011  |  By Liz Logan  |  Comments

“Chicago” Brings Its Sexy, 1920s Sparkle to the Oriental Theatre

If you loved the Oscar-winning movie “Chicago," starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah and Richard Gere, you’ll re-discover it in exciting ways at this short-run production.

The talents of Broadway veterans Terra MacLeod as Velma, Ron Orbach as Amos and Tracy Shayne as Roxie are wildly evident, and John O’Hurley—who played J. Peterman on “Seinfeld” and won on “Dancing with the Stars”—is naturally commanding as the ultra-savvy city lawyer Billy Flynn. Broadway standards including “Cell Block Tango,” “All That Jazz” and “When Your Good to Mama” will inevitably re-instate themselves in your head.

But the real energy of the show is in over-the-top ensemble numbers. The sinuous choreography is mesmerizing, and the revealing costumes provided a drool-worthy peep show of some of the male dancer’s perfectly toned abs. Numerous girls dance around Billy Flynn wielding huge feather fans in “All He Cares About is Love” and later in “Razzle Dazzle,” disco balls spin, making the audience starry-eyed. The total effect is Broadway fantasy.

“Chicago,” which runs 2 hours and 30 minutes, plays through June 12 at the Oriental Theatre. For tickets, visit broadwayinchicago.com or call 800-775-2000.