All Johannesburg audiences think about is love – their love for CHICAGO! CHICAGO The Musical, presented by Showtime Management in association with Barry & Fran Weissler, has lit up Montecasino’s Teatro at the beginning of its Gauteng run – so much so that the season has already been extended by a week to (must close 16 November), with tickets on sale at Ticketmaster.co.za. Book your seats now, as those extra shows are selling fast.
Echoing the superb feedback from Cape Town critics and crowds, audiences at the Teatro have exuberantly praised this production of CHICAGO. Bruce Dennill of pARTicipate noted: “Chicago 2025 confirms that South Africa has – still, and again – a group of performers capable of creating a world-class production.” The review on The Vibe called CHICAGO The Musical, “…the theatrical event of 2025.” Stage and Screen enjoyed every moment, saying, “From start to finish, it’s a slick, stylish reminder of why this show remains one of the most enduring musicals of all time.” Ralf Schmitt, founder and conductor of the internationally acclaimed Ndlovu Youth Choir, gushed: “Wow, wow, wow! I can hardly express how much I enjoyed CHICAGO!” And award-winning singer Timothy Moloi, writing on his Facebook page, praised the show, saying, “Slick, sultry, and sensational – Chicago never misses a beat!”
“The name on everybody’s lips is going to be?” Well, several names, it turns out. The cast as a whole is being praised in and outside the theatre. There are the principal performers: Kiruna-Lind Devar (Evita, MAMMA MIA!, Phantom of the Opera World Tour) as chorus girl turned murderess Roxie Hart; Samantha Peo (The Adams Family, Strictly Come Dancing, CHICAGO World Tour 2018 & 2019) reprising the iconic role of Velma Kelly, the famous Vaudeville performer and fellow murderess; Tankiso Mamabolo (Nwabisa Plaatjie’s ‘Ziyana’, Don’t Believe a Word I Say) as the tough but savvy Matron Mama Morton; slick, charismatic and devious lawyer Billy Flynn, reprised by Jonathan Roxmouth (Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Grease) who played this character in the New Zealand leg during the 2018/2019 CHICAGO World Tour; Roxie’s simple, loving husband Amos Hart, played by Dean de Klerk (Kinky Boots, Rent, The Sound of Music); and M.E. Marvey portraying the upbeat reporter, Mary Sunshine.
These alluring leads are supported by returning ensemble members from CHICAGO’s 2018/2019 season – Lesego van Niekerk, Jenna Robinson Child, Alexandra Girard, Ferdinand W Gernandt, Dirk Joubert and Hugo Madeleyn – as well as spicy newcomers Angelica Hattingh, Ashley Scott, Bronwyn Craddock, Leah Mari, Nicolette Fernandes, Johan Dippenaar, Jonathan Raath, Kent Jeycocke, Chichi Nwoha and Nkosinathi Mazwai.
“This is a show that just keeps on making audiences happy,” says Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management. “We were thrilled with the response in Cape Town, and now Johannesburg is really coming to the party. Fame, ambition, corruption and murder are always going to be compelling subjects, and in CHICAGO, our world-class cast really lifts this enduring story to a new level. You’ll love it if you haven’t seen it, and you’ll get to see new performers and our brilliant band if you’re coming back for more!”
It’s no surprise that this devilishly delicious musical has brought cheering audiences to their feet all around the world. From Australia to Argentina and from Spain to South Africa, more than 34 million people have seen CHICAGO, which has played over 35 000 performances worldwide across 38 countries in more than 525 cities.
CHICAGO was first created by the legendary Broadway trio of John Kander (music), Fred Ebb (book/lyrics) and Bob Fosse (co-author, original director and choreographer) in 1975, and was based on a 1926 Broadway play written by Maurine Dallas Watkins, a journalist from the Chicago Tribune who had covered the sensational trials of two women, both of whom were accused of killing their lovers whilst under the influence of drink and jazz. In November 1996 a revival of CHICAGO opened on Broadway, produced by Barry & Fran Weissler, and a year later they opened the show in London’s West End. The rest, as they say, is history, as CHICAGO is currently playing its 28th year in New York, where it holds the record as the longest-running musical revival and the second longest-running musical in Broadway history.
You don’t even need to be a musical theatre fan to recognise and love the catchy jazz-infused songs like “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango” and “Razzle Dazzle,” with arrangements and lyrics designed to build the story’s energy and sharp satire, and to provide the soundtrack for the movements of gorgeous dancers. CHICAGO is a bold commentary on the pursuit of celebrity and the extreme lengths people will go to for attention and success, no matter the cost – themes that still ring true today!
CHICAGO continues to be one of the most successful international musical hits of all time. CHICAGO’s international appeal stems from its enticing tale of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery – characteristics the entire world is drawn to. The musical has won six Tonys, two Oliviers, one Grammy, two Baftas and six Academy Awards. Book your tickets now at www.ticketmaster.co.za.
Owing to strong adult themes and profanity, this production has a PG rating 10+. Parental guidance is advised. Terrific Tuesday discounts available. Special “Bring your besties!” discount valid for Wednesday and Thursday performances on purchases of four to six tickets, pay only R250 per ticket. Ts and Cs apply. A 20% block booking discount is offered on groups of 20 and more on selected shows for specific price categories.