Moviegoers will be humming and tapping a toe as they leave the Odell Public Library’s April movie, “Chicago.” This big, dazzling, and entertaining film will be presented on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Program Room. There is no charge, although donations are always welcomed.
“Chicago” opens with the huge song and dance number, “All That Jazz,” which sets a high bar the film must deliver on. The story is inspired by the screaming headlines of the Front Page era and the decade after. Although sweet-faced Roxie Hart is married, she is easily seduced by a man name Fred Casely, who sweet talks her with promises of stardom. When she finds out he is a two-timing liar, she guns him down and gets a one-way ticket to Death Row, where she meets Velma Kelly.
Can she get off? Only Billy Flynn can pull off a trick like that as he sings, “Give ’em the old razzle-dazzle.” Velma has already captured the attention of newspaper readers, but a process begins to transform Roxie into the misunderstood heroine.
Renee Zellweger is not a born hoofer, but then Roxie Hart isn’t supposed to be a star. Velma is the dancer and the glamorous star. Will roles be reversed through the shenanigans of Roxie?
“I’m ready to say ‘Chicago’ is the only movie of a Broadway musical I’ve seen, that is better than the show it’s based on,” reported Joel Siegal.
“I would agree with Mr. Siegel. In our theater at the end of the film, the movie audience rose and clapped and cheered, just as if they had been at a Broadway production,” said Anne Frame. “They loved it!”
Area viewers will, too.