Chicago in Manila

The finale song Nowadays says, “In fifty years or so/ it’s gonna change you know/ but oh, it’s heaven/ nowadays.” It is heaven indeed nowadays for those who have seen the current presentation of the musical Chicago in Solaire Resort and Casino’s newly-opened The Theatre. And it will still be heaven 50 years hereon for this stunning spectacle of a show that has been described as perfect or to be less enthusiastic about it, almost flawless.

Chicago is now the longest-running Americal musical on Broadway. That means over 7,000 performances. Not really a surprise. In my book, this is the ideal musical and it is one with not a single bit of stage gimmickry, you know like a boat or a plane or a chandelier, etc., etc. It is simply a seamless blend of exciting music, witty lyrics, rip-roaring humor, fabulous dance numbers and a story that incorporates romance, friendship, crime, social satire and probably every ingredient you can think of, mixed in just the right doses to create an intriguing whole.

Loosely based on real-life events in the real Chicago, Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, who killed her lover, and Velma Kelly, who killed her husband, who meet in prison while they are both on trial for murder. It is their dreams, their rivalry and their love for popularity that anchor the story. Both are later acquitted, thanks to the efforts of their razzle-dazzling lawyer Billy Flynn, who uses media’s fascination with girls’ gone wrong to draw sympathy for his clients.  

Chicago came from the same trio who did the hit show Cabaret and once again they created a musical full of show-stoppers. John Kander created the jazzy score which cleverly makes use of various music types popular during the 1920s. The libretto was written by Fred Ebb, who also did the sharply funny lyrics and Bob Fosse who also originally directed and choreographed the show. It is Fosse’s legendary style — from the revealing costumes to the limp wrists and rounded shoulders — that gives Chicago its distinctive look and feel.

While still unmistakably Fosse’s, the Chicago currently playing in Manila is the Tony-winning revival directed by Walter Bobbie with choreography after Fosse by the actress Ann Reinking, who also played Roxie. I do not recall if any local theater company has already staged Chicago hereabouts. If somebody has, then I am sure it would have been good knowing how naturally gifted Filipinos are in the theater arts. Still, I am glad that we got the chance to watch this word by word or I should say note for note edition of Chicago by this touring company. It is not only a chance for us to enjoy the show, it is a wondrous opportunity to learn.

This Chicago plays like a well-calibrated clock with not a beat out of place. I wonder how many hours of diligent work went into achieving this perfect performance level. The cast led by Terra MacLeod as Velma and Bianca Marroquin as Roxie are uniformly excellent actresses and such fantastic dancers. The show is so good, that it made me glad I braved the heavy weekend traffic to get to Solaire and back.

I have since then remained blithely lighthearted recalling the songs and wondering if I can still do a round Fosse shoulder.  Of course, I have also been thinking that, I am sure they will still be saying these very same things about Chicago in 50 or more years in the future. It is not gonna change, I know.

Chicago is presented by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, the David Atkins Enterprises and Concertus Manila. You can still catch it this weekend at Solaire.  Call TicketWorld for tickets 891-9999.

Still on local theater. Here is good news for all kiddies this holiday season. Shrek and his band of fairytale misfits are making a comeback. Atlantis Productions’ Shrek The Musical returns to the Meralco Theater from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, 2015. The musical, based on the hit movie Shrek, was a success when it was first presented last September. 

It tells the story of Shrek, the kind-hearted ogre from the swamp who had been given the task of rescuing Fairyland from extinction. It also tells of his romance with the neurotic princess Fiona, whom he rescued from the tower. Also featured are  his friend, the obnoxious Donkey, the villain Lord Farquaad and a huge cast of friends from Fairyland like Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man, Three Blind Mice and many others.

Playing the lead roles are Rycharde Everley as Shrek; Sheila Valderama-Martinez as Princess Fiona, Nyoy Volante as Donkey and Jett Pangan as Lord Farquaad. The show is directed by Bobby Garcia. Again, call TicketWorld 891-9999 for tickets.