“Chicago,” a 1975 musical set in Chicago during the Jazz Age, acts as a commentary on the corruption in the criminal justice system and the concept of the “celebrity criminal.” The musical is based on a series of murder cases from the 1920s of female murderers killing their husbands or lovers and being acquitted by the Cook County jail. Meanwhile, a myth arose that attractive women could not be convicted due to the press coverage and interest in female murderers.
The soundtrack for the show includes hit songs such as: “All that Jazz,” “Funny Honey,” “Cell Block Tango,” “We Both Reached for the Gun,” “Razzle Dazzle” and more.
“The songs were so much fun to learn and perform,” sophomore Maya Shamash said.
Shamash—who played Mona Lipschitz—attended auditions on the first day of school, continuing rehearsals through all three performances.
“My favorite song is ‘We Both Reached for the Gun,’ because it is a funny number and I get to improvise a lot of what I do,” junior Sam Goldman said.
Goldman—who played Billy Flynn—may have enjoyed the role’s acting and singing parts, but disagrees with Flynn’s moral values.
“I don’t think he and I would get along, and he is definitely not the type of lawyer I strive to be,” junior Sam Goldman said.
The musical follows the intertwining story of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two women on trial for murdering their husbands. Roxie Hart begins the story by murdering Fred Casley, who was attempting to end an affair with Casely. After being accused of the murder, she enters the Cook County jail and meets Matron “Mama” Morton, who takes bribes and acts as a booking agent for Velma Kelly’s return to Vaudeville.
Roxie convinces her husband, Amos Hart, to pay for a top-tier lawyer, Billy Flynn. As Amos is unable to pay Flynn for his legal fees, Flynn concocts a plan to boost Roxie’s media coverage and make money from her fame. He turns the press coverage meeting into an ventriloquist act, twisting the story from an act of rage and violence to self-defense.
Roxie quickly falls in love with the attention, and Velma grows resentful of the spotlight moving from her to Roxie. Roxie pretends to be pregnant, and Flynn manipulates Amos into divorcing Roxie. Roxie is upset after being treated like a common criminal, and is reminded that her fame is fleeting.
A Hungarian woman, unable to speak English, becomes the first woman to be charged with murder in decades within Chicago and is executed.
“The Hungarian woman, the only one to be killed, was the only innocent woman—but she was an immigrant, easily scapegoated and unable to put on a show,” junior Lindsay Stoller said. “It acts as a commentary on the spectacle of the American justice system.”
Stoller—who played Roxie Hart—recognizes the themes developed in the musical and satirization of issues regarding inequality in the legal systems and the flashy yet fleeting lives led by famous individuals.
Flynn explains to Roxie the importance of putting on a show to garner sympathy from the jury. Through his song “Razzle Dazzle,” he says, “How can they see with sequins in their eyes? What if your hinges all are rusting? What if, in fact, you’re just disgusting? Razzle dazzle ’em, And they’ll never catch wise!”
During the trial, Flynn flips the script on Amos and portrays him as an uncaring husband divorcing his wife during her time of need.
“My favorite part of the musical is Amos and how he tries to catch a break and is just unable to,” Goldman said.
When the jury’s final verdict comes out and Roxie is found not guilty, an even more sensational crime takes place and the press are drawn away. Flynn leaves Roxie, admitting he only took her case for the money. Roxie admits that her pregnancy was fake, and Amos leaves her.
Roxie and Velma, both acquitted, sing bittersweetly about their new lives after the fame and scandal of their cases has died down. They thank the audience in a final number.
The musical explores themes of injustice in the legal system and the fleeting fame of celebrity life. The show ends with a commentary on America’s history of ostracizing immigrants and American nationalism and pride. Additionally, the musical critiques the audience, reminding them that by viewing this production of celebrity life and injustice, and by enjoying the “show” put on by a lawyer, they are no better than the juries who feed into the legal system’s injustice.
North High’s production was made possible by months of dedication from actors, musicians, set designers and builders, accompanied by the producer Dr. Levy and director Mr. Norberto.
