‘Chicago,’ ‘Chicago,’ that toddlin’ show

Joe Delaney

Thursday, March 25, 1999 | 11:50 a.m.

"Chicago," the Musical, in the new state-of-the-art Mandalay Bay Theatre, is a raucous romp representing the best of creators Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb and John Kander. It is performed to near-perfection by an all-star cast that includes the ageless, incredible Chita Rivera as Roxie Hart; Ben Vereen as the shady Chicago lawyer, Billy Flynn; Ute Lemper as Velma Kelly; Marcia Lewis depicting matron "Mama" Morton; and Ernie Sabella playing Amos, hapless husband of Hart, each a multiple-award winner.

The musical is in two acts with a 10-minute intermission. Total running time at the show we attended was two hours and 10 minutes. There was never a dull moment from start to finish. It seemed too soon over.

Other members of the large cast are attractive and most talented. M.E. Spencer as Mary Sunshine, a sob sister columnist, is outstanding. Jillana Urbina (Hunyak) is another deserving special mention, speaking Hungarian except for one phrase, "not guilty." Would that the space allotted be sufficient to list every credit for this show.

Ann Reinking's brilliant choreography is listed as being in the style of Bob Fosse. She has added much. One number, the "Hot Honey Rag," performed by Chita and Ute, is listed as being Fosse's original choreography. Walter Bobbie's direction is right on the mark.

Music Director Jack Gaughan and his orchestra are onstage the entire time and are an integral part of the success of the show.

The show takes place in Chicago in the 1920s. Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly are murderesses, as are four of the other females. Billy Flynn, the attorney, is adept at getting the girls acquitted and matron "Mama" Thornton sets them up for careers in vaudeville afterward. Roxie dispatched her boyfriend and tries to keep her husband, Amos, involved.

Sabella comes close to stealing the show with his song, "Mr. Cellophane." Rivera and Lemper are the centerpieces. Vereen has his best outing since "Pippen" and Lewis dominates when onstage.

"Chicago," with its six Tony Awards and all-star cast, was an ideal selection to launch the movement for Las Vegas to become a major center for legitimate theater.

Lemper will be returning to the Broadway cast in a week or so. It is vital that the star power quotient be continued at its present level. Be sure to see it.