Chicago

First Preview: Oct 23, 1996

Opening Date: Nov 14, 1996

Open run

Running Time: 02:30

http://www.chicagothemusical.com

Playing @

Ambassador Theatre

219 West 49th Street New York City, NY 10019

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Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who 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, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids.

After 26 years, Chicago is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz, with one showstopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. No wonder Chicago has been honored with 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations. As they celebrate their 26th anniversary, you’ve got to come see why the name on everyone’s lips is still…Chicago.

Broadway Musical

Age Guidance: 12

Show Notes: 1 Intermission

COVID-19 Safety Information

Masks are optional but encouraged.

Audience Advisory:

Adult themes & content.

Performance Schedule:

MONDAY, TUESDAY & THURSDAY @ 7 PM
FRIDAY @ 8 PM
SATURDAY @ 2:30 PM & 8 PM
SUNDAY @ 2 PM & 7 PM

Music

John Kander

Lyrics

Fred Ebb

Book

Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse

Director

Walter Bobbie

Choreography

Ann Reinking

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Listed at TKTS

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Full-price tickets

^$64.50 - ^$258

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Lottery & Rush

In-Person Rush: $49 tickets available at the Box Office only on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit 2 per customer. Subject to availability.
Standing Room: $27 tickets available at the Box Office, day of performance only when the performance is sold out. Limit 2 per customer. Subject to availability.

Video

Reviews

Ever inspiring and feeling even more timely now then when it was written, the female driven double murderess song and dancer is a romp through the corrupt prison and court systems of the 1920s. It feels as upbeat, smart and on point today as when it was written in 1975. You know a musical is intelligent, witty and connivingly devilish when its choicest songs about press manipulation, betrayal and selfishness could feel equally at home either on the Broadway stage or in any of the Presidential campaign trails in this election year.

For a Broadway musical that has lasted thousands of performances, played three different theaters, gone through a head-spinning number of cast changes and is about to reach its 20-year anniversary, Chicago is in remarkably good shape.

Celebs of all sorts go in and out of the show regularly (recent examples include a former teen star, “real housewife” and Heisman Trophy winner), which lends it a sort of newsworthiness. But the ongoing vitality of Chicago is primarily the product of its highly capable ensemble (who flawlessly execute Ann Reinking’s Fosse-style dance choreography) and orchestra (led by longtime music director Leslie Stifelman) and the brilliance of its Kander & Ebb score and dark book satirizing fundamental American institutions as shameless showbiz.

20 years old and she’s still got it, folks!

With the 20th Anniversary of Chicago speedily approaching, I took a trip to Broadway’s Ambassador Theatre to witness that timeless story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery… and rest assured, I still hold it near and dear to my heart!

Angie Schworer in Some Like It Hot. Photo by Matthew Murphy

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Accessibility:

Box Office

Ticket lobby on slight incline. Press call button at main entrance for assistance. Counters vary in height from 36.25", 39", and 42.75". The window closest to the lobby entrance can be reached by patrons using wheelchairs.

Parking

Valet parking garage: West of theater. No high top vans.

Curb Ramps

North west corner of 49th Street & Broadway; North east corner of 49th Street & 8th Avenue.

Restroom

There is an A.D.A. Unisex bathroom adjacent to the ticket lobby. The door is 32" wide, the stall measures 78" by 90". Commode is 18" high. Grab bars are positioned around the toilet.

Directions Subway

Take the 1, C or E to 50th Street and walk south to 49th Street then east to the theatre.

Seating

Seating is accessible to all parts of the Orchestra without steps. The Mezzanine is up 2 flights of stairs, a total of 38 steps. Please note, once on the Mezzanine level there are approximately 2 steps per row. Entrance to the Front Mezzanine is behind row E. Entrance to Rear Mezzanine is in front of row A. Hand rails are available at every stepped seat row.

Elevator\Escalator

There are no elevators or escalators at this theatre.

Telephone

None on premises

Entrance

The main entrance is up two steps with a handrail leading to double doors in a series: 1st set (each 27.5") to ticket lobby; 2nd set (each 26") lead to an inner lobby. Alternate entrance: Press call button at main entrance for assistance. At left of main entrance, double doors (each 55") lead into side alley and a second set of double doors (each 29") lead into the Orchestra.

Folding Armrests

Six (6) row-end seats with folding armrests are in orchestra, Five (5) are in mezzanine.

Water Fountain

A water fountain is available in the ticket lobby. The spout is 36" high. A second fountain is located on the Mezzanine Level.

Assisted Listening System

Reservations are not necessary. Drivers license or ID with printed address required as a deposit. Please call: (212) 582-7678 to reserve in advance. Closed Captioning is also available through the GalaPro app. For more information on GalaPro, check here: https://www.galapro.com/

Wheelchair Info

Wheelchair seating available. Theatre is not completely wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair seating is located in the Orchestra only.

Directions Bus

Four buses stop near the theatre. Take M7, M20, M50, or M104.

Translation

Subtitled language translations available in Japanese, Korean, Chinese & Hebrew for $5 on the GalaPro app. For more information, go to https://www.galapro.com/