UFPA presents "Chicago" April 11-12

March 29, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The 1920s come roaring back with a vengeance when the hit musical “Chicago” comes to town on April 11 for two performances at the Phillips Center.

Based on the 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, “Chicago” is, as we are told in the show’s opening lines, “a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery – all the things we hold near and dear to our hearts.”

The story revolves around Roxie Hart, a nightclub dancer who dreams of starring in vaudeville. She kills her lover, nightclub regular Fred Casely, and convinces her husband to front the money to hire Chicago’s shrewdest defense lawyer. The lawyer, Billy Flynn, turns her crime of passion into celebrity headlines and Roxie becomes the toast of Chicago—until other crimes pull the limelight away from her.

“Chicago” was created by John Kander and Fred Ebb, known for their hit musicals “Cabaret” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” and Bob Fosse, famous for his innovative staging and choreography. It first opened on Broadway on June 3, 1975, and ran 898 performances. Its current Broadway revival opened November 14, 1996, and is still running.

In 2002 Miramax Films took the Tony Award-winning musical to the big screen. The movie starred Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelley and Richard Gere as Billy Flynn. The box office success and subsequent multiple Oscar wins including Best Supporting Actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Best Picture led to the rebirth of the musical and its touring success. For the first time since the movie, “Chicago” is live in Gainesville, Fla.

“Chicago” is presented by Troika Entertainment, which is celebrating over 20 years of producing musical theater throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

“Chicago” will be presented at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. on April 11 and 12. The performance is sponsored by Bosshardt Realty Services, Inc., Wachovia and WCJB TV20.

Tickets for “Chicago” cost $40 to $60 and are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 1-800-905-ARTS. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Union and all Ticketmaster outlets. Ticketmaster is available toll-free at 1-800-277-1700, or on the web at http://www.ticketmaster.com. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Group tickets are also available.