Wednesday, December 17, 2014
6:30pm
CHICAGO, THE PLAY AKA PLAY BALL
by Maurine Dallas Watkins
6:30pm
CHICAGO, THE PLAY AKA PLAY BALL
by Maurine Dallas Watkins
ROXIE HARTʼS ORIGINAL STORY WAS FIRST A PLAY DRAMATIZED BY MAURINE DALLAS WATKINS. IT OPENED ON BROADWAY AT THE MUSIC BOX ON DECEMBER 30, 1926.
IT WOULD BE ALMOST HALF A CENTURY BEFORE BOB FOSSE AND KANDER AND EBB WOULD OBTAIN THE RIGHTS FOR THE MUSICAL VERSION STARRING GWEN VERDON. Ms. Watkins was a crime reporter for the Chicago Tribune and her sensational columns documenting the real trials of two women who later became the models for Roxie and Velma were so popular she decided to write a play. Brooks Atkinson reviewed it on December 31, 1926 “Chicago” is not a melodrama but a satirical comedy on the administration of justice through the fetid channels of newspaper publicity--of photographers, “sob-sisters” feature stunts, standardized prevarication and general vulgarity. In the composition of her raucous lampoon, Miss Watkins has forgotten none of the “old hokum” or the blatant chicanery typical-- it is alleged--of the trials of ʻbeautiful murderesses.ʼ” |
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