All That Jazz: 7 Shocking Secrets Behind The Chicago Musical's Broadway Reign And 2025 Cast Updates
Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and prepare to be razzle-dazzled. As of December 2025, the Broadway revival of Chicago: The Musical continues its unprecedented run, cementing its legacy as the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. This dark, satirical masterpiece, with its iconic Bob Fosse choreography and timeless Kander and Ebb score, remains one of the hottest tickets in New York City, consistently refreshing its cast with a steady stream of celebrity talent and seasoned Broadway veterans to keep the jazz age scandal fresh for a new generation.
The show’s enduring success is a testament to its biting commentary on celebrity, crime, and the American justice system, themes that are arguably more relevant today than they were during its 1975 debut or its 1996 revival. With new cast announcements for both the Broadway production and the 2025/2026 national and UK tours, there has never been a better time to explore the captivating history and current status of this Tony Award-winning phenomenon.
The Creative and Performing Legends: A Chicago Musical Biography
The story of Chicago is inextricably linked to the legends who brought it to life, from the original author to the choreographic genius who defined its aesthetic. The musical is a rare example of a show whose revival has far surpassed the success and longevity of its original run.
- Original Playwright: Maurine Dallas Watkins (1899–1969)
A reporter for the Chicago Tribune in the 1920s, Watkins covered the sensational murder trials that inspired the musical. Her 1926 play, also titled Chicago, was a direct, satirical response to the media frenzy that turned accused murderesses into celebrity darlings.
- Music: John Kander (b. 1927) & Lyrics: Fred Ebb (1928–2004)
The legendary songwriting duo of Kander and Ebb created the show's unforgettable score, including "All That Jazz," "Cell Block Tango," and "Razzle Dazzle." Their collaboration also produced other iconic musicals like Cabaret and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
- Original Book & Director/Choreographer: Bob Fosse (1927–1987)
Fosse co-wrote the book with Fred Ebb and directed and choreographed the original 1975 production. His distinctive, sensual, and cynical choreographic style—characterized by turned-in knees, hunched shoulders, and the use of hats and gloves—is the very soul of the show.
- 1975 Original Broadway Stars:
Gwen Verdon as Roxie Hart, Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly, and Jerry Orbach as Billy Flynn.
- 1996 Revival Creative Team:
Walter Bobbie (Director) and Ann Reinking (Choreographer). Reinking, a former Fosse protégé, recreated and adapted Fosse’s signature style for the revival, winning a Tony Award for her work.
- 1996 Revival Original Stars:
Bebe Neuwirth as Velma Kelly and Ann Reinking as Roxie Hart. Neuwirth won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance.
The 2025/2026 Cast and Tour Updates: Who’s Playing Roxie and Velma Now?
The Chicago revival, currently playing at the Ambassador Theatre on Broadway, thrives on a rotating cast of high-profile names, ensuring the show remains a fresh draw for tourists and locals alike. The 2025/2026 season brings exciting new talent and welcome returns to the infamous Cook County Jail.
Broadway's Current and Upcoming Stars
The Broadway production continues its run with a strong lineup of performers, often featuring limited engagements from celebrity guests.
- Roxie Hart: As of late 2025, the role of the aspiring vaudevillian murderess is being played by Kate Baldwin, a seasoned Broadway favorite. Looking ahead, television star Whitney Leavitt is set to make her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart for a six-week limited engagement in 2026.
- Velma Kelly: The role of the cynical, established murderess sees a major return, with Tony nominee Robyn Hurder returning to the Broadway cast to play Velma Kelly starting in December 2025, bringing her acclaimed performance back to the Ambassador Theatre.
- Billy Flynn: The slick, media-savvy lawyer remains the ringmaster of the show's dark circus.
The 2025-2026 National Tour and UK Production
The national tour is a chance for audiences across America to experience the show's minimalist, high-impact staging.
- US National Tour (2025-2026): The touring cast features Ellie Roddy returning as Roxie Hart and Claire Marshall making her debut as Velma Kelly. The tour schedule extends into early 2026 with dates in cities like Evansville, IN, and Ocean City, MD.
- UK Tour (2025): The UK production is also a star-studded affair, with a rotating roster of well-known British performers. The cast features Faye Brooks and Janette Manrara sharing the role of Roxie Hart, and Brenda Edwards and Sinitta taking on the formidable role of Mama Morton. Dan Burton and Darren Day are among those playing Billy Flynn.
The Scandalous True Crime Stories That Inspired Chicago
The core of Chicago's enduring appeal lies in its scandalous roots. The musical is based on the real-life 1920s murderesses whose cases were covered by playwright Maurine Dallas Watkins. The show’s central characters, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, are composites of two specific women whose trials became media circuses.
1. Roxie Hart: Inspired by Beulah Annan
The inspiration for Roxie Hart was Beulah Annan. In April 1924, Annan was accused of murdering her lover, Harry Kalsted, claiming he tried to rape her. When she later changed her story to a tale of a drunken quarrel, the press, led by Watkins, became obsessed. Annan was known for her flapper style and her ability to manipulate the press, allegedly playing a phonograph record of a fox-trot every time her husband visited her in jail. Like Roxie, she was ultimately acquitted but quickly faded from the public eye.
2. Velma Kelly: Inspired by Belva Gaertner
Velma Kelly’s story is drawn from Belva Gaertner, a cabaret singer who was accused of shooting her lover, Walter Law, in March 1924. Gaertner was found with the dead man in her car, claiming she was too drunk to remember what happened. Her defense lawyer argued that Law had shot himself. She was a stylish, sophisticated figure who captivated the press, providing a stark contrast to the more naive-seeming Annan. Gaertner was also acquitted and later married a wealthy man, proving that celebrity could indeed be a path to a "happily ever after," at least in the eyes of the public.
The Fosse Legacy: Why Chicago’s Choreography Still Matters
The 1996 revival’s success is largely attributed to its "stripped-down" aesthetic, which focuses relentlessly on the brilliance of the score and the distinctive choreography of Bob Fosse. Directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed in the Fosse style by Ann Reinking, the show is presented in a concert-like format with the orchestra visible on stage, a deliberate choice that highlights the music and the performers.
Fosse’s choreography is not merely dance; it is a form of character expression. Every slinky hip roll, isolated shoulder movement, and snapping finger is designed to convey the characters' cynicism, sexuality, and desperation. The iconic numbers are a masterclass in this style:
- "All That Jazz": The opening number, a smoky, seductive invitation into the show’s dark world. It immediately sets the tone with Fosse’s signature use of hats and deep, sensual body isolations.
- "Cell Block Tango": A high-energy, aggressive number where the six murderesses recount their crimes. The famous line "He had it coming!" and the dramatic use of red lighting and sharp, staccato movements make this a show-stopper. The dance tells a story of justified violence and female rage.
- "Razzle Dazzle": Billy Flynn’s big number, a cynical explanation of how to manipulate the press and the jury. The choreography is deliberately confusing and overwhelming, mirroring the manipulative tactics it describes—a true "razzle-dazzle" to distract from the truth.
The minimalist staging, with the cast in simple black costumes and the focus entirely on the movement and the music, ensures that the audience is never distracted from the show’s core themes of greed, corruption, and the intoxicating power of celebrity. The Chicago revival is not just a show; it is a living museum of Fosse’s genius, making it essential viewing for any theatre enthusiast.
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