"He's a flamboyant Chicago attorney. Manipulated easily, Amos is the only character in Chicago whose motives are entirely pure, never selfish and hes the only character who really loses ultimately. As the best lawyer in town, Billy is just as big a celebrity as any of the glitzy, glamorous jazz singers. In reality, their beauty and the fleeting fascination of the tabloids is all the chips these women have to play. Box 70381 Milwaukee, WI 53207. Discover the MBTI personality type of 13 popular Chicago (Theatre) characters and find out which ones you are most like! Velma is supposed to be a singing and dancing star, and Zeta-Jones delivers with glamor, high style and the delicious confidence the world forces on you when you are one of its most beautiful inhabitants. Completely loyal and devoted to his beloved wife. Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart will step into the role of Billy Flynn in the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago on Monday, January 17, at the Ambassador Theatre. Please enable Javascript and hit the button below! Get entertainment recommendations for your unique personality and find out which of 5,500+ (tenor) Amos Hart: Age 30-50. Instead of interrupting the drama with songs, Marshall and screenwriter Bill Condon stage the songs more or less within Roxie's imagination, where everything is a little more supercharged than life, and even lawyers can tap-dance. (To be sure, Gere's own tap dancing is on the level of performers in the Chicago Bar Association's annual revue). Gwen Verdon: Roxie Hart: Chita Rivera: Velma Kelly: Jerry Orbach: Billy Flynn: Barney Martin: Amos Hart: Mary McCarty: Matron Mama Morton: M. O'Haughey: Mary Sunshine: . In the musical, Flynn sings three songs. The singer/songwriter known for songs like "Hip to Be Square," "The Heart of Rock & Roll," and "I Want a New Drug" played Billy Flynn in . "All I Care About (is Love)" serves as Flynn's jingle, in which the crooner claims not to care about wealth or materialism and works for his love of women (later revealed to be a complete lie), "They Both Reached For The Gun (The Press Conference Rag)" serves as a ventriloquist act with a call-and-response between Billy's "dummy" Roxie and the press, and "Razzle Dazzle" (a champagnesque piece with what Jerry Orbach described as "Brechtian subtlety"[1]) serves as the explanation of Flynn's modus operandi: make the case a distraction so that the jury loses attention. Upgrade to PRO She sleeps around unknown to her husband, Amos, but has a falling-out with one of her lovers, shoots him and is arrested for murder. What is stark in both versions is the limited power that these women actually have. Seeking 2 Actor Team for Spring It just so happened that it worked on Roxie too. Roxie harts lover. Who would have thought the minimalist presentation of a musical would experience as many revivals as it is now? Do me a little favor, darling. Whether intentionally or not, it brings to light some salient truths about the treatment of women by systems of power. Roxie Hart becomes her antagonist even though she will try to do everything to save her vaudeville career. Maybe because it has worked before. That's about $60,000 in modern day buckaroos. Flynn, who has never lost a case, now only takes the most high-profile clients. characters named adam. The Phantom of the Opera: What Was the Monkey Music Box For? You know why? Innocent, sexy, desperate, selfish. Most versions got it right. He considers his profession to be akin to the entertainment industry, with himself as an A-list star in the field. It features Billy Flynn, the corrupt lawyer Roxie Hart, as he attempts to turn her trial into a media circus. John Kander, Billy is the female murderesses hero in an expensive suit -- in all. And jail never tempered her need to be on the papers for the sake of remaining relevant. "Chicago" continues the reinvention of the musical that started with "Moulin Rouge." The comparison, though satirical, strikes a rather serious chord under all the cabaret, cursing and relentless sarcasm. On both stage and screen, Roxie and Velma salvage their meagre existence after prison when they come together, putting aside their instincts to compete with each other in order to dazzle twice as much as a double act. It is the story of Roxie Hart (Rene Zellweger), a wannabe cabaret star in 1920s Chicago.She sleeps around unbeknownst to her husband, Amos (John C. Reilly), but has a falling-out with one of her lovers, shoots him and is arrested for murder. Plays the judge in the courtroom scene. Destroy the systems that did offer social care and destroy the people who have to pick up the slack. CHICAGO the Musical is based off the 1926 play written by Maurine Dallas Watkins, the reporter assigned to cover the 1924 trials of murderesses Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner. Since Chicago is a 1970s musical that's set in the 1920s, most of the songs below are either from pre-contemporary musicals or musicals that are set in the 1920s. Despite the supposedly light, vaudeville style ofChicago, Kander, Ebb and Fosses adaptation (which takes inspiration fromMaurine Dallas Watkins play of the same name) draws purposeful parallels between the legal system and the culture of celebrity and sensation journalism. (Avoiding Spoilers) Grew up in cynical times. I just realized how several versions of All That Jazz, Funny Honey and Razzle Dazzle sung outside the Hollywood really got me thinking about this hit musical. [2] In the musical adaptation, his style is based upon Ted Lewis. There was almost a third party for the battle for the title Darling of the Press the pineapple heiress who ended up with all the cameras and interviews right when Roxie was still waiting for her trial date. to read our character analysis for Billy Flynn and unlock other amazing theatre resources! 0 Discussions. Roxie is not very bright and never thinks about the consequences of her actions before she says or does things, but She will does whatever it takes to be a huge star. Jan. 18, 2016. While professionally a lawyer, in the story he was more like a press relations officer and a spin doctor. She is the best reporter in all Illinois. By filming it in its own spirit, by making it frankly a stagy song-and-dance revue, by kidding the stories instead of lingering over them, the movie is big, brassy fun. Chicago Character Descriptions V E L MA KE L L Y : F e ma l e , 2 5 -4 0 (Ra n g e : Al to , E 3 -D5 ) V a u d vi l l e p e rf o rme r wh o i s a ccu se d o f mu rd e ri n g h e r si st e r a n d h u sb a n d . And the moment that she realized that the new girl in town has taken up her space on the front page in several publications, she then tried to pair up with her for a vaudeville performance. All that is viewed legal of course. However, when Roxie additionally ends up in jail, Billy goes up against her case too - transforming her into a . Trending. Billy Flynn pops by to help the Hayes get Peacock TV! Sometimes I consider her character as a commentary about journalists that got so persuaded with one presentation of the case that they almost went biased towards it. musical villains mashup // 20+ shows ???? Born sometime in 1955, Flynn and his mother Nora, a prostitute and drug addict, lived in the suburbs of southern California in his early years. Sign up today to unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. His love of acting began as a child. WordPress Theme: Dynamic News by ThemeZee. characters are most like you. include an upper and lower case character and a number. Musicals; . In the musical version, you are left to judge that on your own. In 2002, Catherine Zeta Jones and Rene Zellweger starred in the movie adaptation, which positions each musical number as though it were happening in Roxies (Zellweger) imagination. In our version this person will be performed by a member from the band. WhenChicago was first adapted into a Broadway musical by John Kander,Fred Ebb, andBob Fosse, each musical number was written in the vaudeville style. He could have easily taken the fall for his wifes crime if not for his wifes idiocy. The song is a true show with backup dancers, costume changes, and dancing, and Flynn takes the viewer to see him as the "ordinary guy" before realizing he is a top-notch lawyer in town. Though it was practically accidental, the result was a female-driven powerhouse of a musical which culminates in the thrilling alliance of two hardened veterans of showbiz. Told through a series of vaudeville routines, the story of Chicago begins with Velma Kelly (Chita Rivera) setting the tone and atmosphere of the period with "All That Jazz.". When we support each other, believe each other, and raise up our voices together,thenwe truly triumph. He puts Roxie in jail. Traditionally in musicals the music is embedded . Billy will take any case as long as it is sure to put money in his pocket. Nationality. Nice try extending her 15 minutes of fame, sucker. Almost 100 years later, the unwitting moral of this dazzling musical remains pertinent First of all, dont murder men (unless they deserve it)*; and secondly, women are incredibly powerful when we stick together. 144/11. Gain full access to show guides, character breakdowns, auditions, monologues and more! G. Gillian Russo January 10, 2023, 09:53. She killed her boyfriend after she found out he was sleeping around. . So bringing in the song-and-dance numbers only brought the point home. Ring of Keys: Lyrics from Fun Home The Musical, Chicago The Musical lyrics: Cell Block Tango. The reason is that it isn't about Roxie. Over the weekend, she posted eight beautiful 1960s-inpired photos with her husband, showing off her baby bump and shared, "First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes". Billy Flynn is one of the city of Chicago's most effective defense attorneys; he can win any trial and usually represents women who have murdered their lovers. The only prop that could have outdone the guns were the feathers that welcomed Billy into the story. New York, NY, Linda Ray Police detective who interviews Amos after Roxie kills Fred. There is a story. Most of the characters are relatable due to some semblance to real life how lawyers spin the case to favor their client and how celebrities are easy to create with the help of press conferences. ???? He is furnitures salesman and a regular guy, but hed promised Roxie to take her to the show business. Mazz Murray stuns as Mama Morton at the Phoenix Theatre, London. Kelly is based on the character "Velma", who first appeared in the 1926 play, also called Chicago, who was in-turn inspired by the life of Belva Gaertner . Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until . So its not just a series of jazzed up song-and-dance numbers. And no feel-good musical would dare tell you the truth in barely-there clothing and fishnet stockings. Meet The Flynn Family - This is Chicago's largest crime family with Walter Flynn being in the game for around 30 years, he's an old head and he's been around. He is genuinely polite and determined despite being rather selfish and in the cases for himself. Billy is a lot like a Hollywood Agent. New York, NY, Accessibility Statement Terms Privacy |StageAgent 2020. He is also flamboyant and narcissistic in the way that he can tell he is superior to everyone around him and always uses his charisma to assist him whenever possible. Roxie was only too happy to turn her down as she was just returning the favor. She has a lover named Fred Casely (Dominic West), who sweet-talks her with promises of stardom. Billy Flynn: Age 35-60. Veronica. Billy Flynn has been a mainstay on the Chicago blues circuit since the mid-80's. Results may vary. Murderesses Velma Kelly (a chanteuse and tease who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together) and Roxie Hart (who killed her boyfriend when she discovered he wasn't going to make her a star) find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago. The show received both popular and critical acclaim and even made it to Broadway in 1926, running for 172 . Beware Terrible view from normal price balcony seats Phantom of the Opera Her Majesty's Theatre, Top 30 Most Influential People in Musical Theater. " Razzle Dazzle " is a song featured in the 1975 Broadway musical Chicago and its 2002 film adaptation of the same name. "I'm an alcoholic and an addict," one who's been in recovery for coming up on three years. The Flynn has been at the center of Vermont's cultural landscape for 90 years. William "Billy" Flynn is the deuteragonist of the musical Chicago, and all of its adaptations. Home; About; Gallery; Blog; Shop; Contact; My Account; Resources The guns got used in Roxies scene and in the heiresss scene. From Velma Kellys cry, No, Im no ones wife but, oh, I love my life! in All that Jazz, to hers and Roxie Harts climatic closing duet Nowadays, its a score that relishes in womens liberation. No wonder Chicago has been honored with 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy, and thousands of standing ovations. Originally, when the score was being written for the stage, Roxie was intended as the focus of the narrative, but concerns about the health and stamina of leading lady Gwen Verdon lead to more stage time being given to Velmas character. Chicago characters breakdowns including full descriptions with standard casting requirements and expert analysis. November 16, 2022 2:39PM. Velma Kelly. Release Calendar Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. My client feels that it was the combination of liquor and jazz that led to her downfall.Billy to the reporters in his campaign for Roxie's defence. Thanks for reading. WordPress Theme: Dynamic News by ThemeZee. But she has Amos who may be way dumber than Roxie will ever be. Arrogant and self-centered, she rebuffs the admiration and adulation that Roxie gave her. Her role is a memorable one since the song When Youre Good to Mama is pretty straight-forward about her agenda. Roxie Hart. Beware Terrible view from normal price balcony seats Phantom of the Opera Her Majesty's Theatre, Top 30 Most Influential People in Musical Theater. "Chicago" is a Musical with music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Best known as the best lawyer in all Chicago, Illinois. A topnotch vaudeville performer, Velma Kelly was incarcerated for her murder of her husband and her sister after catching them in bed. She is actually innocent, but because she only speaks Hungarian and refuses to plead guilty, she is found guilty and hanged. Billy Flynn. She kills her boyfriend in her apartment after coming home and finding him with two girls. In the play, he defends Hart and her rival Velma Kelly, winning both cases. Surely enough, he has other clients too but in the case of Velma, she can work her own wonders into putting her face on the front page for everyone to gawk at. Roxie is not very bright and never thinks about Without Flynn and with a dose of brainless arrogance, she almost got hanged if not for a need to live again and enjoy being the media celebrity all over again. According to all our favourite depictions of this time, it was one of sexual liberation, misbehaving women, and the heady, corrupting, influence of jazz music and abundant liquor. Character from the 1927 play Chicago Billy Flynn (at right) as portrayed by Jerry Orbach in the Broadway adaptation , 1976 The decision to use non-singers and non-dancers is always controversial in musicals, especially in these days when big stars are needed to headline expensive productions. Billy Flynn has been a mainstay on the Chicago blues circuit since the mid-80's. In a typical set he'll segue from sophisticated Texas jump blues into raw Delta or postwar-Chicago style sounds. If the accused managed to bring in the drama too and ended up coming across as funny instead, you realize the kind of credibility and believability found in this musical.