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Community
CRYSTAL FALLS - Crystal Theatre presents the popular musical movie Chicago Saturday, March 2 at 7 p.m.
The 2002 film was based on the 1975 Broadway production which, in turn, was based on a 1926 play of the same name. The dark comedy crime plot explores the themes of celebrity, scandal and corruption in Chicago during the 1920s, known as both “The Roaring 20s” and “The Jazz Age.”
The original play by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins was based on actual criminals and crimes. Chicago tells the story of two women who were accused of murder in 1924. The real-life murder trials of Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner became one of the first sensationalized media stories in history.
The film stars an ensemble cast led by Renee’ Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere. In the film, characters Roxie Hart, a housewife, and Velma Kelly, a vaudeville performer, find themselves in jail together awaiting trial for murder. The two fight for the fame that will spare them from the gallows.
Fan favorites of the music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb include “All that Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” “Roxie,” Mister Cellophane” and “Razzle Dazzle.” Also praised for its suggestive cabaret-style dancing, Bob Fosse choreographed the Broadway production and Rob Marshall both directed and choreographed the movie.
Chicago won six Academy Awards in 2003, including Best Picture, making it the first musical to win in that category since Oliver! in 1968. Zellweger, Zeta-Jones and Gere also received critical acclaim and awards for individual performances from the British Academy, Critics’ Choice, and Golden Globes.
Crystal Theatre’s managing director says, “bring your best Fosse moves, the bunny hop, and all that jazz back to the roaring 20s when you come to see Chicago. And since Crystal Theatre is a restored vaudeville theatre built in 1927, showing this film is a good fit.”
Admission to the movie is by donation.