REVIEW: Broadway veterans lead cast of Moonlight’s ‘Chicago’

Moonlight Stage Productions is closing its 38th summer season with a sizzling presentation of the musical “Chicago” that features three Broadway veterans in the lead roles.

Roxane Carrasco reprises her role of accused murderess Velma Kelly, which she played on Broadway; Terra C. MacLeod, who also played Velma on Broadway, has switched over to the other lead murderess Roxie Hart (and is playing double duty by co-directing the show with James Vásquez); and David Engel, the third Broadway veteran, stars as their attorney, Billy Flynn. The trio leads the other 16 talented singers and dancers who fully embraced the sensuality of Bob Fosse’s unmistakable dance style.

Set in Chicago circa the late 1920s, the show features music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Their work is based on a 1926 play of the same name by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, who was inspired by the criminals and crimes she reported on, especially murders committed by women. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1975 and its 1996 revival has made it the longest-running American musical in Broadway history along with being the longest-running musical revival. A 2002 film version won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The 12 musicians conducted by Kenneth Gammie were on stage instead of their usual placement in the orchestra pit throughout the entire show and essentially formed the show’s backdrop as they were on a multilevel bandstand. With essentially no set and limited props (mostly chairs), one could not get visually distracted by anything else and instead the audience’s focus was drawn to the performers. Reflective of the vaudevillian aspirations of Velma and Roxie, most of the scenes were reminiscent of that genre, with musical numbers often being introduced by ensemble members throughout the nearly three-hour show.

The plot is really a commentary of the era in which it was set, a time when sensational crimes captivated the public and the more notorious (plus attractive) a criminal was — especially if female — the higher likelihood of not being convicted, even if guilty of the crime. That societal attitude is a strong factor in how Velma and Roxie approach their murder cases, with both aspiring to turn their brief notoriety into successful show business careers following their criminal trials, which they expect to win despite having committed the crimes. Encouraging them along that path is prison matron “Mama” Morton (Actors’ Equity Association member Regina LeVert), whose talent shone during “When You’re Good to Mama.”

Carrasco and MacLeod played off each other quite well, with their rivalry convincing as each sought to keep themselves in the press in order to win their legal cases. Engel is convincing as their sleazy lawyer, who is showcased in “All I Care About.”

Some of the best numbers were the opening song “All That Jazz” that really sets the mood and style for the show choreographed by Corey Wright, “Razzle Dazzle” and — what was probably the best number — “Cell Block Tango.” Performed by the six “Merry Murderesses,” it was an enjoyable number both stylistically and due to the humor of the lyrics as the women justify why their murder victims “had it coming.”

Other notable performances include Randall Hickman as Amos Hart, Roxie’s sap of a husband who is initially willing to take the blame for her crime and keeps coming back despite her obvious infidelity. Hickman won over the audience’s heart with his rendition of “Mister Cellophane.”

Also deserving mention is Danielle Airey for her aerial performance as Hunyak, the Hungarian accused of murder who ironically is probably the only innocent woman on the cell block.

“Chicago” can be seen at 7:30 p.m. most evenings through Sept. 29 at Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1250 Vale Terrace Drive in Vista.

Tickets are $17 to $57, with traditional theater and lawn seating options in the outdoor venue. Purchase tickets at moonlightstage.com or 760-724-2110. Gates open at 6 p.m. for picnicking. Bring your own food and beverages (except alcohol, which must be bought on site) or purchase refreshments through the theater’s Luna Café. Parking and shuttle are free.

email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com