"Chicago" the Musical — Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart and Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly in “Chicago”. CONTRIBUTED IMAGE

MANILA, Philippines—“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, you are about to witness a story of murder, greed, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery: all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts.”

So begins the sensationally sexy and slick Broadway musical “Chicago”, which is set to razzle dazzle Manila when it premieres at the Philippines’ newest luxury theatrical hotspot, The Theatre at Solaire Resort and Casino on December 3 this year. The strictly limited season of “Chicago” is presented in the Philippines by Visa and Smart Infinity, in cooperation with Solaire Resort and Casino.

Renowned for its exhilarating choreography inspired by the legendary Bob Fosse, a sizzling score from Broadway icons John Kander and Fred Ebb, and slick satirical humor, “Chicago” possesses everything that makes Broadway and the West End great.

“Chicago” has won six Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy for Best Musical Cast Recording, and thousands of standing ovations. This year “Chicago” is set to take its rightful place in Broadway’s musical theater history on November 23 as it stages its record-breaking 7,486th performance making it the number one longest running American musical on Broadway.

A hypnotic and hilarious show-stopper, “Chicago” is packed with well-loved jazz-inspired tunes such as “All That Jazz,” “Razzle Dazzle ‘Em” and “Cell Block Tango”. It is no surprise that this razzle-dazzler has brought cheering sell-out audiences to their feet all around the world, from Mexico City to Moscow, from Sao Paulo to South Africa. The critically-acclaimed 2002 film adaptation starring Rene Zellweger, Catherine Zeta Jones and Richard Gere went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars.

Headlining the very first Manila season are two of Broadway’s sensational stars – Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart and Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly. Terra has played the role of Velma around the world from Broadway to the West End and internationally. Bianca made her Broadway debut as Roxie in 2002 and has since starred in other Broadway musicals. They lead an all-star American cast coming directly from the US, who are set to enthrall Manila audiences with the show’s trademark slick and sophisticated choreography and a timeless story of deception and cunning.

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, “Chicago” tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer with aspirations of becoming a Vaudeville star, who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

“Chicago” is a stunning spectacle full of social satire, intrigue, love, betrayal, rivalry and friendship, a pageant of music and dance that adroitly shifts between reality and fantasy, as Roxie Hart’s world moves from prison to the courtroom to the Vaudeville stage.

Producer James Cundall, Chief Executive of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions says “’Chicago’ ranks with ‘Les Miserables’ as my favourite musical of all time—it is a knock-out show which features a wonderfully humorous story, sensational dancing, toe-tapping music and an incredible cast of characters, which is why it continues to play on Broadway after so many years and has been applauded by millions of people. There is a whole new audience who loved the Academy award-winning film and will now have the chance to experience ‘Chicago’ live. ‘Chicago’ always delivers with sizzle and timeless class – no wonder it has become such a global phenomenon.”

“I am both delighted and excited to be bringing the first musical to the brand new Theatre at Solaire. It is wonderful that Manila now has a world-class 1,760-seat theatre, built especially to accommodate Broadway and West End musicals, and finished to an incredibly high standard. The audience will also enjoy superb facilities such as restaurants, shops and bars in addition to the theatre itself,” Cundall adds.

“Manila is becoming a very important part of the Asian touring circuit, with a sophisticated and musically-savvy audience who have shown during ‘Cats,’ ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘Phantom’ and ‘Wicked’ that they totally appreciate world class shows. The welcome and reception that the casts are receiving in Manila are becoming legendary with international theatre companies,” notes Mr. Cundall.

Mr. Cundall’s remark echoes that of Stuart Tomlinson, Visa country manager for the Philippines and Guam: “There is no doubt that Filipinos love everything entertainment. And Visa, through our Visa Entertainment platform, is proud to sponsor and support arguably one of the most riveting musicals in the world.”

Smart Infinity, the premium brand of wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), is known for bringing Broadway shows closer to Filipino audience. “Just like the

successful local runs of other world-class stage spectacles ‘Cats,’ ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ and ‘Wicked,’ bringing ‘Chicago’ to the Philippines is again a very special gift for our subscribers,” said Julie Carceller, Department Head of the Smart Infinity Business Group at Smart.

“Aside from allowing Smart Infinity to keep its unmatched tradition of bringing over all the world-class, must-watch musicals, it also gives us the opportunity to provide not only the

best mobile service but also the most delightful experiences to our subscribers,” added James Chi, Marketing Manager of Smart Infinity Business Group.

“Chicago” was first created by the legendary Broadway trio of John Kander (music), Fred Ebb

(book/lyrics) and Bob Fosse (co-author, original director and choreographer) in 1975, and was based on a 1926 Broadway play written by a journalist from the Chicago Tribune who had covered the sensational trials of two women, both of whom were accused of killing their lovers whilst under the influence of drink and jazz.

Kander and Ebb enjoyed a collaboration that spanned four decades, defined musical theatre on Broadway and earned them numerous awards. Bob Fosse was one of Broadway’s biggest and brightest creative stars, renowned for his innovative and spectacular staging, with the emphasis on exhilarating dance sequences. He turned out one hit after another from the 1950s to the late 70s and is the only director so far to have won an Oscar, two Tony Awards and an Emmy Award in the same year, 1973.

In November 1996 a revival of “Chicago” opened on Broadway produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, and a year later opened in London’s West End. The rest, as they say, is history, as “Chicago” has gone on to become the longest running musical revival on both Broadway and in the West End, and the longest running Broadway musical to play in the West End. The show’s global success has reached over 24 countries and been translated into 11 languages.

The Weissler’s original New York production was directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse. “Chicago” features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer. The production also features orchestrations by Ralph Burns and supervising music direction by Rob Fisher.

Solaire Resort and Casino’s new luxuriously styled Lyric Theatre, fully packed with the latest state-of-the-art technical and stage facilities, plush fittings, and rich atmosphere, will house world-class Broadway shows, as well as local and international concert artists, ballet acts, speaker series and more.

The Manila season of “Chicago” opens on December 3 and runs until December 21. Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information. Tickets are on sale through TicketWorld.

Call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Special thanks to OOCL, Diamond Hotel, ABS-CBN, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2nd Ave., Jack TV, RX 93.1, Mellow 94.7, Ayala Malls Cinemas, Ayala Malls, Rustan’s and ClickTheCity.com

“Chicago” is produced in Manila by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises and Concertus Manila.

Season Details

VENUE: The Theatre at Solaire, 1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Paranaque City 1701, Manila, Philippines

SEASON: Opens 03 December 2014 for limited season only

TICKETS: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday (8 pm)

Premium Gold PhP 7,500.00

Orchestra VIP PhP 7,000.00

Orchestra A Reserve PhP 5,500.00

Orchestra B Reserve PhP 4,250.00

Balcony B Reserve PhP 4,250.00

Balcony C Reserve PhP 2,250.00

Balcony D Reserve PhP 1,750.00