NYC
Chicago on Broadway Tickets
Chicago on Broadway: What to expect - 1
Chicago on Broadway: What to expect - 2
Chicago on Broadway: What to expect - 3
Chicago on Broadway: What to expect - 4
Chicago on Broadway: What to expect - 5
New York, NY

Chicago on Broadway Tickets

See Ariana Madix (Roxie) alongside Tony® nominee Robyn Hurder (Velma) before April 7.
Production shot of Chicago in New York, with Ariana Madix as Roxie Hart.
Production shot of Chicago in New York, with Ariana Madix as Roxie Hart and Amra-Faye Wright Velma Kelly.
View all
Production shot of Chicago in New York, with Ariana Madix as Roxie Hart and Max Von Essen as Billy Flynn.
Orchestra Sale
85/100
Earn 2%
Musicals
Chicago on Broadway Tickets

About Chicago on Broadway

See Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix as Roxie Hart through April 7 only! Catch the hit musical that’s been bringing crime, pizzazz, and all that jazz to Broadway since October 1996 — it would be a crime to miss it. Get Chicago tickets on TodayTix and prepare to be razzle-dazzled.

Chicago is the longest-running revival in Broadway history for a reason. See this sultry, sordid story of murder and fame from the minds of three Broadway legends: songwriting duo John Kander and Fred Ebb, and director/choreographer Bob Fosse. Plus, with a rotating lineup of celebrities in the lead roles, you’re almost guaranteed to see a star. Don’t miss the show New York Theatre Guide describes as “a living, breathing piece of musical theatre history, which rightfully remains at the Ambassador Theatre and reminds us that all you need is class and, of course, all that jazz!”

Chicago on Broadway is still killing it after all this time with famous tunes like “All That Jazz,” “Razzle Dazzle,” and “Cell Block Tango”; iconic Fosse dance; and a gripping plot about two showgirls trying to keep their talent and good looks in the papers instead of their allegedly murderous acts.

This stylistic trip down Murderer’s Row will leave you tap dancing in your seat, so paint the town at Chicago in New York. Get Chicago tickets on TodayTix now.

Run time

2hr 30min. Incl. 15min intermission.

Start date

October 23rd, 1996

Age

Ages 13+. Children under 4 are not permitted.

Chicago on Broadway: What to expect - 1
Chicago on Broadway: What to expect - 2
Chicago on Broadway: What to expect - 3
Chicago on Broadway: What to expect - 4
Chicago on Broadway: What to expect - 5

Reviews

Audiences Say
Entertaining, Great singing, Clever, Funny, Great staging
85
Excellent

7K+ reviews on Show-Score

Positive
Mixed
Negative
Sophia C
Delightful, Entertaining, Exquisite, Funny, Great acting
100 / 100
George 6090
Clever, Entertaining, Great acting
80 / 100
NS
Entertaining, Riveting, Quirky, Must see, Playing forever
95 / 100
Sing out Louise
... come on babe, why don’t we paint the town... and all that jazz!!
90 / 100
View all reviews

Stars on stage

Ariana Madix

Ariana Madix

Chicago on Broadway cast and creative team

By: John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse
Director: Walter Bobbie
Producer: Barry & Fran Weissler, Jujamcyn Theatres in association with Kordan Productions
Cast list: Ariana Madix (as Roxie Hart), Robyn Hurder (as Velma Kelly), Lili Thomas (as Matron "Mama" Morton), Max von Essen (as Billy Flynn), Red Concepción (as Amos Hart), R. Lowe (as Mary Sunshine), Max Clayton (as Fred Casely)
Design: John Lee Beatty
Lighting: Ken Billington
Costume: William Ivey Long
Choreography: Ann Reinking
Sound: Scott Lehrer

Venue

Ambassador Theatre

219 West 49th Street, New York, NY, United States, 10019

Accessibility

4 wheelchair spaces

More information about Chicago on Broadway

True crime stories are popular nowadays, but the obsession is nothing new. This tale of murderesses in Prohibition-era Chicago is based on a 1926 play, also titled Chicago, by former crime journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins. She based her play on two 1920s court cases involving a housewife and cabaret singer, respectively, accused of murdering their husbands.

The Chicago musical, similarly, follows housewife Roxie and vaudevillian Velma, who mimic each other’s publicity stunts and hire the same lawyer in the hopes of making front-page news. It’s the only way to get acquitted, and maybe even make it big.

The original production starred Chita Rivera as Velma and Fosse’s wife, Gwen Verdon, as Roxie and played from 1975 to 1977. The current production, Chicago’s first revival, opened in 1996 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, hopping to the Shubert in 1997 and the Ambassador in 2003. This production has far surpassed the original production’s success and set multiple Broadway records. Chicago is the second-longest-running Broadway show of all time, only behind The Phantom of the Opera.

Chicago borrows heavily from 1920s vaudeville variety shows. These included singers, dancers, acrobats, ventriloquists, and more. Different events in Chicago on Broadway — like a trial, a press conference, and even an execution — are staged like these different types of acts. An emcee also introduces the songs as though they were a lineup of vaudeville performances.

What to watch for

  • The Chicago musical inspired a 2002 film, which won the 2003 Academy Award for Best Picture. It starred Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Catherine Zeta Jones as Velma Kelly, and Richard Gere as Billy Flynn.
  • Watkins wrote her play Chicago while at Yale Drama School about her experience as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune. The show was originally called Brave Little Woman, and it’s now called Play Ball when performed to avoid confusion with the musical.
  • The production began as a four-performance concert presentation at New York City Center’s Encores! in May 1996! Chicago transferred to Broadway in November that year, and the rest is history!
  • Because it was originally a concert, the sets and costumes are minimalist, and the full orchestra plays on stage. The orchestra sits within a golden frame — the same one from the Encores! production that's still in use today.
  • Ann Reinking, who replaced Gwen Verdon in the original Chicago production and originated Roxie Hart in this one, choreographed the revival “in the style of Fosse.” Fosse was nominated for the Best Choreography Tony for his work on the original, but Reinking won for the revival! The choreography of “Hot Honey Rag” remains intact from the original.
  • The Chicago Broadway cast has featured plenty of celebrities, including Usher, Brandy, Taye Diggs, Michael C. Hall, Wayne Brady, Melanie Griffith, Brooke Shields, Ashlee Simpson, Jerry Springer, Patrick Swayze, Sofia Vergara, Rita Wilson, Jamie Camil, NeNe Leakes, Rumer Willis, Todrick Hall, Jennifer Nettles, Pamela Anderson, Angelica Ross, and many more.
  • Make eye contact with the ensemble at your own risk, as Fosse famously told the cast in 1975: “Dare the audience to look at you, and then look back at them with murder in your eyes.”

Please Note

Herbal cigarettes are used on stage. The use of cameras, cell phones, and other recording devices during the show is strictly prohibited by law, except when used for accessibility services. No weapons permitted on the premesis. No outside food or beverages, electric scooters, e-bikes, or battery-powered transportation devices, except when medically necessary. All items are subject to inspection and must fit on your lap or completely under your seat without blocking any aisles.

Frequently asked questions

What is Chicago on Broadway about?

The Kander and Ebb musical about murderesses-turned-overnight-celebrities has razzle-dazzled audiences for decades. With a rotating lineup of stars in the lead roles, you never know who you'll see as starry-eyed housewife Roxie, veteran vaudevillian Velma, and more.

Which theatre is Chicago on Broadway at?

Chicago on Broadway is at New York's Ambassador Theatre.

What is the running time of Chicago on Broadway?

Chicago on Broadway runs for 2hr 30min. Incl. 15min intermission..

What is the age recommendation for Chicago on Broadway?

Ages 13+. Children under 4 are not permitted.

How do you get tickets for Chicago on Broadway?

Check the top of this page for current availability and exclusive offers on Chicago on Broadway tickets on TodayTix.

How much are tickets for Chicago on Broadway?

Chicago on Broadway tickets start at $73.

Who wrote the Chicago musical?

Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb adapted the book for Chicago from Maurine Dallas Watkins's 1926 play of the same name. Ebb also wrote the show's lyrics, and his longtime songwriting partner John Kander composed the music.

What songs are in the Chicago musical?

Chicago features a score by iconic songwriting duo Kander and Ebb, including famous songs like "Cell Block Tango," "Razzle Dazzle," "All That Jazz," and "Roxie."

Is the Chicago musical appropriate for kids?

The Chicago musical is recommended for audiences ages 13 and older. The show contains a large amount of adult content and themes including murder, crime, adultery, and sex.

When did Chicago open on Broadway?

The Chicago musical premiered in 1975, but the current production opened in 1996. The revival is now the second-longest-running Broadway show of all time and the longest-running Broadway revival of all time.

Who directed the Chicago musical?

Walter Bobbie directs Chicago on Broadway. He is also known for directing shows like Footloose and Sweet Charity, and he's also a performer who's appeared in shows including Saint Joan and Guys and Dolls.

Is the Chicago musical good?

Chicago has stood the test of time and continues to razzle-dazzle audiences more than 25 years later. The show is a testament to the staying power of classic Broadway, and the songs and story are still as captivating as when Chicago premiered.

TodayTix Logo
© 2024 TodayTix Group All rights reserved.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.