Photos provided by Jeremy Daniel

For exactly 25 years, the revived edition of “Chicago” has delighted audiences on Broadway and become the longest-running American musical ever, but there’s arguably no greater city to see the show than its namesake.

It’s no wonder why the CIBC Theatre is posed to be packed through Sunday, January 29, and even a mere day after the curtain initially rose, the six-time Tony Award and Grammy winner was already firing on cylinders, outside of a quickly corrected, sound-related technical difficultly.

That’s because the tawdry, tongue-in-cheek, Roaring Twenties tale of Roxie Hart, a disgruntled housewife and dancer who murders her other lover after he threatens to leave, followed by her tabloid-ripe defense, simply never gets old and could just as likely take place in present tense.

It certainly doesn’t hurt she’s played by the feisty Katie Frieden, while Logan Floyd as rival cellmate Velma Kelly gives her a valiant run for their blood money, especially as each employs shady lawyer Billy Flynn, via the super slick Jeff Brooks, in hopes of getting off the hook.

As the clock ticks towards their trials, more memorable characters are introduced through “When You’re Good To Mama,” led by stunning vocalist Christina Wells, and “Mister Cellophane,” perfected by Brian Kalinowski as Roxie’s husband.

“Cell Block Tango,” “We Both Reached For The Gun,” “My Own Best Friend” and “Me And My Baby” are also unforgettable tracks, all of which came from bounty of genius collaborators John Kander and Fred Ebb.

Chorography based off the equally inimitable Bob Fosse adds “All That Jazz” and then some, alongside costume and decorative decadence to accurately mirror the Windy City’s thriving nightclub scene during the prohibition era.

In fact, the razzle dazzle rarely stops for nearly two-and-a-half-hours, split by an intermission, as it races to the results in what seems like it’s shaping up to be the crime of the century.

But as is often the case with modern media, there’s always another salacious headline looming right around the corner, which might not give Roxie the recognition she expects, but nonetheless allows her and all of “Chicago” to go out with an unexpected bang.

“Chicago” continues at the CIBC Theatre through Sunday, January 29. For additional details, visit ChicagoTheMusical.com, ChicagoOnTour.com and BroadwayInChicago.com.

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