Center nabs musical ‘Chicago’

Lolita Harper

A sweltering gust from the windy city will propel a summer of murder,

violence, corruption and scandal at the Orange County Performing Art

Center in Costa Mesa. “Chicago” will play at 600 Town Center Drive

this summer, officials have announced, as the result of changes to

the Center’s Bank of America Broadway Series.

Adjustments in the national tour schedule for “Flower Drum Song,”

which was scheduled to run Sept. 29 to Oct. 5, required the Center to

withdraw the production from the Broadway Series, officials said.

Center president Jerry Mandel said the search for a “blockbuster”

replacement began immediately and “Chicago” filled the hole, despite

some opposition from some decision-makers.

“I am really excited about it,” Mandel said. Not everybody felt

the same way, but it’s going to be great.”

The original “Chicago” was produced in 1975. The 1996 revival won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, and a Grammy for its

soundtrack.

Its sultry, scandalous story also caught the attention of movie

makers. The big screen version dominated the Academy Awards this year

The opening number describes the show as “a story of murder,

greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery --

all the things we hold dear to our hearts.” The production tells the

story of two murderers, Roxy Hart (played by Bianca Marroquin) and

Velma Kelly (Brenda Braxton), who turn their scandal into celebrity.

“Chicago” is said to be a criticism of the American justice system.

The cast is directly from Broadway, officials said, and the tour

features the same sets, costumes, lighting, direction and

choreography from its award-winning run on Broadway in 1996.

Mandel said the “newfound enthusiasm” for Chicago, inspired by the

motion picture, will draw a crowd to the live stage show.

“The timing is great,” Mandel said. “People will be coming who

have never been to the Center, and then, they will come back for

other performances.”

The national tour, which began in Syracuse, N.Y. on June 6, will

work its way to Washington, D.C., Charlotte, N.C., St. Paul, Minn.,

Pittsburgh and San Francisco before coming to Costa Mesa. Then it

will be off to the Windy City and seven other venues before returning

to California for its Los Angeles show in January.

Because of the difference in run dates between the “Flower Drum

Song” and “Chicago,” Center officials said they were prepared to

offer refunds to season ticket holders who cannot make it to the

shows in August.

Tickets go on sale July 20 and will cost from $28.75 to $65.75.

For more information, call (714) 556-ARTS or visit the Center Web

site at www.ocpac.org.