Hot, Hot, Hot -- and that's just the orchestra conductor, Leslie Stifelman. She and her 14 piece orchestra play center stage in a high-tiered structure leaving a bare six feet on either side for the cast to enter. The structure has several areas (one with an elevator) for cast to enter and exit. Grand entrances are usually from a center location adjacent to the conductor's podium. Ms. Stifelman is an integral part of this almost all-singing, al-dancing show. She not only has a few lines, she becomes a truly animated character in the Walter Bobbie-directed, Chicago brought here by Broadway San Diego.
The current production retains much of the original, 1975 Bob Fosse look. Ann Reinking's original choreography is very much in his style.
Velma Kelly (Terra C. MacLeod) opens with a rousing "All That Jazz" backed up by the company. Then it's Roxie's (Michelle DeJean) turn with "Funny Honey." Interesting note, at the time of the printing of the Playbill, the role of Roxie had not been cast, though DeJean had been in the Broadway cast for quite some time. Sleaze lawyer Billy Flynn is played by George Hamilton, who leaves the road company to join the Broadway cast shortly after the San Diego run. Is San Diego his tryout city? His portrayal is right-on. His renditions of "All I Care About," "We Both Reached for the Gun" and "Razzle Dazzle" with the company are fun.
Roz Ryan, another postprinting entry, plays money-grubbing manipulator Matron "Mama" Morton. Eric Leviton is a soulful Amos, especially in "Mister Cellophane." R. Bean's Mary Sunshine is awesome in "A Little Bit of Good." The company members are extremely talented dancers, singers and actors. William Ivey Long's costumes for the company are, to say the very least, extremely revealing on both the women and men.
Chicago, with its many memorable numbers performed to perfection is very good entertainment.
