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provide exciting twists and fast-paced action sequences. The music also becomes the main vehicle to Chicago's sexual appeal. Throughout the play, in sequences where Roxie is fantasizing or making sense of someone she is meant to idolize, characters (including herself) are always depicted as unleashed sexual mistresses, obviously a repression she longs to break free of. She even puts Billy Flynn in her musings as surrounded by beautiful, scantily-clad women at his beck and call. It is hard to imagine Roxie's experience unfolding without the aid of the musical performances, our source of knowing how she perceives what is going on inside and around her.

An exception to the dazzling numbers full of writhing body parts and illicit costumes is that of Amos and his burst of crooning. Here is the one guy who has remained faithful, honest and dependable for the duration. Even as the cruel intentions of others are dumped upon him, he carries on, nursing a broken heart and his own humble aspirations. In his song, we see that Amos recognizes his position in the world and that he isn't happy about it. Though he feels it's unavoidable, he mopes without ambition to inspire change. We see also a pitiful, submissive German inmate, who, without ability to communicate or scheme her way out as the others, met her demise as the only woman professing innocence and remorse. These two complete the picture, offering a view of the other side of the spectrum. Certainly not given enough exposure to warrant them character status of Roxie or even Mama, they are placed in the background where it seems the honest belong in this world where survival of the fittest seems to be the style everyone's wearing.

The characters solidly depict the intertwining of preying upon the predator, of success and failure among those who would step on anyone that is naive enough to show an inkling of ability to aid or hinder them in their greed and self-absorption. Here we see not only the plotting and relationships of the antagonists, but also a brilliantly mocking statement about the media and frenzy that it can instill in the public. Our celebrity-centered culture chews so readily on what appears in the papers, spoon-fed to us until people of no credibility or talent can rise to a celebrity position in the hearts and minds of the majority. Ultimately it doesn't seem to matter anymore why someone is in the news. Just as long as they are put within our daily sights, we can all be comfortable with knowing their face and affording them respect for it. We see Roxie practice her act to become the latest America's sweetheart, poster child for the evils of gin and jazz. Velma meanwhile obsesses over attempts to top her rival at every turn, all unknown to the blinded public eye, which accepts their every notion.

Chicago thrusts forward a story that displays individuals working an aggressive charm and deceptive allure to achieve what they most desire. This is a rich flow of injustice and scandal, opening us up to see that things might not always be what they seem. Here is a playful romp through the cynical world where the innocent woman dies, the good guy is left alone and the murderers and swindlers are all smiling in the end, misted in glitter and class. Chicago is delivered with all the pizzazz and style that a scandalous story as this depends and flourishes upon. We can definitely draw sense from this pool of sequins and song to apply in our own experiences of celebrity acceptance, if only we had a chorus of nearly-naked dancers to aid in our ponderings.

Learn more about this author, Lorain Blanken.
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