Chicago: The Musical - Original Cast (CD 1997)

"Chicago: The Musical" is the story of Roxie Hart, who shoots her lover and finds herself in a prison full of sexy femme fatales. Based on a true story, "Chicago" follow Roxie as she slithers her way through the legal system, meeting shady characters at every turn. This musical is pure and unadulterated Fosse, an erotic kick in the ass that will leave you begging for more.

One of the most impressive aspects of this CD is the stars who were combined on the "Chicago" cast. This cast includes my "Law & Order" favorite, Jerry Orbach, who started his career on Broadway. Here he finds his own as Billy Flynn, capturing all the sleazy vaudevillian splendor of this shyster lawyer. As he belts out "All I Care About, you can almost believe that he's interested in something other than money and jail-tail.

"All That Jazz" is the show's big marketing song, it's on all the ads that run for the travelling company, and it's also one of the most stirring and sultry pieces in the musical. Chita Rivera captures all of it's sultry bliss as Velma Kelly deadly seductress.

But I've saved the best for last. Anyone who really loves "Chicago" can't help but let loose a laugh when the hear the bellowing beauty of Matron Mamma Morton, songstress Mary McCarty. Her voice is soft and rich as warmed butter, and her vocal subtlety captures all the humor and complexity of her character. You'd better be good to Mamma, 'cause on this recording shes sure gonna be good to you...

I recommend any recording of "Chicago" to theater lovers who are tired of insipid musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Disney conglomo. This is musical art as it should be, dark, gritty and realistically humorous. It's sexy and repulsive, rubbing up against you and then kicking you in the gut. In other words, Chicago is life.