‘Chicago’ set to razzle dazzle in Sydney
The multi-award winning hit musical, ‘Chicago’ is heading to Australia in August with an all-star line-up.
Bringing all that jazz and a killer cast to Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, the Kander & Ebb production will premiere with some of the country’s most talented performers.
Joining the club in ‘Chicago’s’ iconic roles are Natalie Bassingthwaighte as the fame-hungry Roxie Hart, Alinta Chidzey as the femme fatale Velma Kelly, and Casey Donovan as the rough and tough prison warden Matron ‘Mama’ Morton.
For Bassingthwaighte, the role of Roxie Hart has been a dream 20-years in the making. Having previously been an understudy, Bassingthwaighte broke her rib and unfortunately, never got to play her.
Bassingthwaighte is notorious for her very established career as an actor, musician and TV presenter. Some of her main credits include her breakout role as Izzy Hoyland on ‘Neighbours’, roles on Network Ten’s ‘The Wrong Girl’ and ‘Brock’, host of the popular dance show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, a judge on the ‘X-Factor’ (both in Australia and New Zealand) and singer/front-woman of the pop rock band, The Rogue Traders – whose solo album debuted at Number 1 on the Aria Charts. Not to mention, she’s received multiple Logie Award nominations for acting and presenting.
As Roxie’s rival Velma Kelly, Alinta Chidzey has developed an incredible career in entertainment and has starred in an array of musical theatre productions. Some of her roles on stage include Anita in ‘West Side Story’, Mary Magdalene in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, Svetlana in ‘Chess’ (for which she was awarded a Green Room Award for Best Female Artist in a Supporting Role), Niki Harris in ‘Curtains’, and even performing alongside Hugh Jackman in his ‘Broadway to Oz’ tour. Her screen credits include ‘Wentworth’, ‘Winners & Losers’ and ‘Neighbours’.
Bringing her powerhouse vocals to corrupt prison officer Matron Morton, known affectionately as ‘Mama’, Casey Donovan is continuing her success on stage. Her recent theatre credits include Killer Queen in ‘We Will Rock You’, Joanne in ‘Rent’, ‘As You Like It’ and ‘The Sapphires’. Donovan is best known for winning ‘Australian Idol’ in 2004. In 2017, Donovan was also crowned the winner of Network Ten’s ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’.
Rounding out the lead roles are Rodney Dobson as the hopeless husband Amos Hart, and J. Furtado as gossip hound Mary Sunshine. The ensemble includes Amy Berrisford, Andrew Cook, Todd Dewberry, Samantha Dodemaide, Ben Gillespie, Chaska Halliday, Travis Khan, Hayley Martin, Kristina McNamara, Joe Meldrum, Tom New, Jessica Vellucci, Rachael Ward, Zachary Webster, Mitchell Woodcock and Romina Villafranca.
While most of the roles have been cast, major characters like Billy Flynn are yet to be revealed.
‘Chicago’ follows the lives of two murderesses on death row – Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly. Set in the 1920s, the plot follows Hart and her desires for public attention. After murdering her lover who threatened to walk out on her, Hart hires a slick lawyer, Billy Flynn, to avoid a deathly conviction. Flynn transforms her malicious story into sensational headlines – much to the annoyance of fellow client and Hart’s rival cellmate, Velma Kelly.
The movie version of ‘Chicago’ was released in 2002 with much critical acclaim – earning lead actress Renee Zellweger a Best Actress Oscar nomination and Golden Globe win for her portrayal of Roxie Hart. Co-star, Catherine Zeta-Jones also achieved an Academy Award for Best Support Actress and her role as the counterpart, Velma Kelly. In total, ‘Chicago’ the film won six Academy Awards including Best Picture.
Produced by John Frost and Suzanne Jones, the sizzling musical will play at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 20 August 2019. Tickets are on sale Monday, 11 March 2019, and priced from $59.90* with various performance times.
To book, visit http://www.chicagothemusical.com.au/.
*Additional transaction fees may apply.
