The saga of translating "Chicago" the musical to the screen began in the late 70's, with Bob Fosse reprising his role as director and Liza Minelli and Goldie Hawn in the lead roles. Then in the 80's Baz Luhrman was mentioned to direct a version with Wendy Wasserstein supplying a screenplay. Then, after the success of the 1996 Broadway revival of the piece, Nicholas Hytner was attached to direct a version which would hopefully star Goldie Hawn and Madonna. Both of the lead actresses dropped out, Charlize Theron was briefly announced as a replacement for Goldie Hawn in the role of Roxie Hart, but ultimately the production was scrapped.
That is until 2000, when Rob Marshall, who had recently directed an unprecedentedly acclaimed t.v remake of "Annie", brought in the idea, and the result was this, which proved for a time to resurrect film versions of Stage musicals and became the first musical to win best picture since "Oliver!" in 1968.
"Chicago" was not an easy show to adapt for the stage, The musical numbers are presentational and not naturalistic, not a problem on stage but posing a fairly big problem on screen. Marshall solved the problem brilliantly by having the musical numbers be extravagant dream sequences, and shifting back to realism for the spoken scenes.
The cast is all around superb, Catherine Zeta-Jones' Velma is especially excellent, with Renee Zellweger a convincing Roxie, and Richard Gere well cast as Billy Flynn, and superb supporting turns from Queen Latifah and John C. Reily.
"Chicago" is simply wonderful
That is until 2000, when Rob Marshall, who had recently directed an unprecedentedly acclaimed t.v remake of "Annie", brought in the idea, and the result was this, which proved for a time to resurrect film versions of Stage musicals and became the first musical to win best picture since "Oliver!" in 1968.
"Chicago" was not an easy show to adapt for the stage, The musical numbers are presentational and not naturalistic, not a problem on stage but posing a fairly big problem on screen. Marshall solved the problem brilliantly by having the musical numbers be extravagant dream sequences, and shifting back to realism for the spoken scenes.
The cast is all around superb, Catherine Zeta-Jones' Velma is especially excellent, with Renee Zellweger a convincing Roxie, and Richard Gere well cast as Billy Flynn, and superb supporting turns from Queen Latifah and John C. Reily.
"Chicago" is simply wonderful