‘Chicago the musical’: The five song numbers we can’t wait to see

Manila, are you ready for “All That Jazz”? Chicago: The Musical has been dazzling audiences on Broadway for over 30 years. With 11,700 performances, six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and even a Grammy under its belt, it has become one of the most iconic pieces of musical theater. The show is sexy, provocative and humorous, setting stages afire with a hefty dose of cellblock drama, controversy, murder and mayhem. Manila audiences will get to witness this spectacular production anew as GMG Productions brings Chicago: The Musical back to The Theatre at Solaire in March 2027 as part of its red-hot 30th-anniversary tour.

The 2027 run marks a homecoming of sorts for Chicago, as it served as the inaugural show for the grand opening of The Theatre at Solaire in 2014. “It was such an honor to be chosen as the inaugural production at the grand opening of the Theatre at Solaire back in 2014,” says show producer Barry Weissler on the musical’s return to the stage where it first opened in Manila.

Set amidst the decadence of the 1920s with a story plucked right out of the headlines, the musical follows housewife and nightclub dancer Roxie Hart, who finds herself on trial for the murder of her lover. Her slick lawyer, Billy Flynn, sees an opportunity to turn her crime into a media spectacle — with song and dance numbers to boot. All is going well until she finds herself competing for the spotlight with fellow inmate and nightclub star Velma Kelly, leading to spectacularly scandalous consequences. “What I love most about Chicago is its edge... glamorous and seductive, but also dark, witty and dangerous,” says Carlos Candal, CEO of GMG Productions. “It is a prescient masterpiece that is ever relevant in this moment and time. The show is as hot as ever,” echoes Weissler.

While it is the 1996 Broadway revival production at the Ambassador Theatre — which continues to run to this day — that many remember, Chicago actually first premiered in 1975. It ran for 936 performances under the direction of legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, featuring masterful melodies by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, who also co-wrote the book with Fosse. The original production starred Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly and Jerry Orbach as Billy Flynn.

Upon its return to Broadway in 1996, veteran actress and dancer Ann Reinking reimagined the dance numbers, taking inspiration from Fosse’s choreography while also taking on the role of Roxie Hart alongside Bebe Neuwirth’s Velma Kelly. Since then, the likes of Ashlee Simpson, Alyssa Milano, Christie Brinkley, Patrick Swayze, Usher and our very own Red Concepcion have been part of the show over the years.

Perhaps what makes Chicago stand out among all the shows on Broadway is its spectacular song and dance numbers. Kander and Ebb built a stunning soundscape to bring the story to life. Here are the five song numbers we can’t wait to see when the show opens its Manila run:

1. All That Jazz

This song sets the tone for the whole show. During the opening number, we meet Velma Kelly in a sexy and provocative dance routine set in a place where “the gin is cold and the piano’s hot.” It gives the audience a peek into the decadent world in which Chicago takes place.

2. Cell Block Tango

There hasn’t been a musical number that quite compares to “Cell Block Tango.” The wickedly funny song and dance routine combines shadow play and sharp dance moves to tell the story of how five women ended up on the cell block for indulging in a bit of mayhem and murder.

3. Razzle Dazzle

If there is a trial, there is a lawyer. And there is none more flamboyant than Billy Flynn. He puts it on full display, giving the audience a razzle-dazzle of a song complete with backup dancers, feathered boas and a big band section.

4. Mr. Cellophane

As Roxie Hart heads to trial, waiting in the wings is her devoted husband, Amos. While she and Billy Flynn put on a spectacle for the media, Amos ponders what he really means to her in easily one of the most poignant musical theater ballads ever written.

5. Hot Honey Rag

Towards the end of Act 2, Roxie and Velma come together to put on a show, and it proves to be one of the most high-energy numbers in the musical.

GMG Productions brings Chicago: The Musical to Manila for a very limited run from 9 to 28 March at The Theatre at Solaire. Sign up for the waitlist at chicago-mnl.gmg-productions.com for early access to tickets when they go on sale at TicketWorld. The presale for UnionBank cardholders runs from 12 to 15 October, while the GMGP Waitlist presale is on 16 October, both offering a 10 percent discount on ticket purchases. Tickets for the general public go on sale starting 19 October 2026.