Tony-Winning Chicago Revival Sets Return to Australia

The long-running, Tony-winning revival of Chicago, which continues at Broadway's Ambassador Theatre, will return to Australia later this year.

The production, with casting to be announced, will play Perth's Crown Theatre beginning in November prior to engagements at Brisbane's Lyric Theatre QPAC beginning in January 2024 and Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne starting in March 2024.

Producers John Frost and Suzanne Jones said in a statement, “Chicago has everything that people love about a Broadway musical—a story of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, one show-stopping number after another, and the most amazing dancing you’ve ever seen. We are thrilled to bring the razzle dazzle of this New York institution back to Australia.”

“Chicago continues to be as fresh, vibrant, and relevant as the day we opened on Broadway,” added producers Barry and Fran Weissler. “The legendary John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse created a near-perfect musical. Whether you are a seasoned theatregoer or a first-timer, Chicago delivers must-see entertainment. The opportunity to bring the show to Australia was a highlight in our professional career. We couldn’t be more excited to be collaborating once again with our longtime partners, John Frost and Suzanne Jones, to bring the jazz back to Oz!”

Tickets will go on sale August 14. Visit ChicagoMusical.com.au for more information.

The revival of Chicago began life as one of the three annual Encores! presentations offered by City Center. The musical opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in November 14, 1996, where it remained through February 1997. The musical transferred to the Shubert Theatre, and played that house through January 26, 2003. The revival reopened at the Ambassador Theatre January 29 that year.

Since its debut in 1996, Chicago has played in 36 countries and been seen by 33 million people worldwide. It is now the second-longest running show in Broadway history (after the recently closed The Phantom of the Opera).

READ: How the Chicago Costumes Have Evolved Over 25 Years

With a book by the late Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Ebb, Chicago features direction by Walter Bobbie, choreography by the late Ann Reinking, set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Scott Lehrer, and casting by ARC.

The current production, produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997 as well as awards for actors Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, director Bobbie, lighting designer Billington, and Reinking. The original production was directed and choreographed by the late Fosse.