Friday, February 14, 2025
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Chicago’s Run at The Fabulous Fox Was Short but Fantastic

Illeana illy Kirven as Matron Mama Morton in the National Tour of CHICAGO Credit Jeremy Daniel

 

–by Ashley Cox

 

Friday night featured a lot of sequins in the crowd and even more sheer black Spandex on the stage for the special 3-day run of Chicago at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. It should come as no surprise that this musical was a killer… Polished and planned as every action from Velma Kelly herself.

 

Taylor Lane’s Velma and Ellie Roddy’s Roxie Hart were the perfect foils for each other. Both skilled in vocalists and dancers, I loved the precision Taylor brought to Velma even in her moments of desperation, she always was the pinnacle of “Class.” Ellie really captured the delusion of Roxie… her moves switched from immature and untamed to during Roxie’s visions of grandeur being full of charisma.

Illeana illy Kirven as Matron Mama Morton and Kailin Brown as Velma in the National Tour of CHICAGO Credit Jeremy Daniel

For me, the supporting cast really stole the show. Illeana “illy” Kirsten as Matron “Mama” Morton brought down the house. Her performance of “When You’re Good to Mama” has ruined for all others. Realistically, I understand the hindrances, but I do wish we could get touring cast recordings for times just like this. Connor Sullivan as Billy Flynn also commanded the stage. He brought to mind St. Louis’s Jon Hamm, able to capture this handsome vintage vibe but also be incredibly funny when necessary.

 

Chicago is a story of egos, every performer and musician justifiably commanded this stage. Whereas last season’s Aladdin felt overfilled with people and sets, Chicago never felt that way despite having a similarly sized cast and the orchestra foregoing the pit and having their bandstand become the main set.

The National Touring Production of CHICAGO Credit Jeremy Daniel

Sadly, as part of the Fox’s Broadway Specials series, it has a much shorter run than the main season tickets. I would have loved to attended again as I can never get too much Bob Fosse. “Hot Honey Rag” features his original choreography while Gregory Butler and Ann Reinking captured the Fosse style current and touring productions.

 

After Chicago performs its own Hungarian rope trick at the Fox, the rest of the December is dedicated to holiday fare including Broadway Special 2024 Dr. Seuss’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! The Musical, running December 27-29. The main season starts back on January 21, 2025 (Can you believe it? 2025!) with SIX.

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