By Christopher Trela | NB Indy

The musical “ Chicago ” has had a fascinating and storied history , starting with its original Broadway production in 1975 — choreographed and directed by the legendary Bob Fosse .

With music by John Kander , lyrics by Fred Ebb , and book by Ebb and Fosse , “ Chicago ” takes place during the jazz age and is based on a 1926 play of the same title by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins and incorporated actual criminals and crimes on which she reported . The show is a sly satire on corruption and the concept of the “ celebrity criminal ,” and is packed with memorable songs including “ Mr . Cellophane ,” “ Cell Block Tango ,” and “ All That Jazz .”

The original Broadway production of “ Chicago ,” ran for more than 900 performances , and was revived on Broadway in 1996 . That revival holds the record as the longestrunning musical revival and the longest-running American musical in Broadway history , and won six Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival .

Adding lustre to the legend , the 2002 film version of “ Chicago ” won the Academy Award for Best Picture .

Now , local audiences have the chance to experience “ Chicago ” when the 25th Anniversary touring production comes to Segerstrom Center for the Arts May 16 – 21 .

This “ Chicago ” features recreations of the original direction as well as original choreography in the style of Bob Fosse by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking , who won the Tony for her choreography of the 1996 “ Chicago ” revival when she also reprised her star turn as Roxie Hart from the original production .

For those uninitiated in the “ razzle-dazzle ” of “ Chicago ,” it ’ s set in the 1920s and tells the tale of Roxie Hart , a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her . Desperate to avoid conviction , she dupes the public , the media and her rival cellmate , Velma Kelly , by hiring Chicago ’ s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage

of sensational headlines — not unlike those from modern tabloids .

Over the last 25 years , “ Chicago ” has been seen in 36 different countries , by 33 million people worldwide . Now , local audiences have the chance to see “ Chicago ,” but only for eight performances .

Tickets start at $ 39.00 . Visit www . SCFTA . org or call ( 714 ) 556-2787 .

Jeff Brooks and the company of “ Chicago ” / Photo Credit Jeremy

Daniel