U.S. cast of 'Chicago' describes first Seoul show as 'dazzling'

Music & Performance

Published: 31 May. 2023, 17:05 Updated: 31 May. 2023, 17:56

U.S. cast of 'Chicago' describes first Seoul show as 'dazzling'

Logan Floyd and the ensemble of the touring American cast of "Chicago" perform "All That Jazz" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Wednesday [YONHAP]

The American cast of the slinky, razzle-dazzle musical “Chicago” is performing in Korea.

The team has been touring 51 cities across North America since last October before arriving in Seoul last week. Saturday's opening show in Blue Square marked the touring cast and crew’s 200th performance.

“That first show in Seoul was absolutely thrilling,” Illeana Kirven playing Matron “Mama” Morton told local press at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul. “The audience showered us with a warm welcome and love which we could all feel on stage.” The show was Kirven’s debut performance as Mama in “Chicago.”

Actors Logan Floyd playing Velma Kelley; Katie Frieden playing Roxie Hart; and Jeff Brooks playing Billy Flynn were also present at Wednesday's press conference.

From left, actors Jeff Brooks playing Billy Flynn; Logan Floyd playing Velma Kelley; Katie Frieden playing Roxie Hart; and Illeana Kirven playing Matron “Mamam” Morton talk to the press about the ongoing run of the show "Chicago" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Wednesday [YONHAP]

“It felt amazing when the audience began clapping in sync during the song ‘Hot Honey Rag’ because that was the first time that we had an audience do that,” said Floyd.

Frieden recalled meeting members of the Korean cast of “Chicago” after Saturday night’s performance.

“It felt so surreal personally because meeting them really put into perspective the kind of legacy that I was part of,” she said.
Since “Phantom of the Opera” closed on Broadway, it became the longest-running show on the street with more than 10,000 performances since November 1996. “Chicago” has been honored with 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards and a Grammy.

The Broadway production of “Chicago” was first performed in Korea in 2003 and again in 2015 and 2017.

“Chicago” revolves around Roxie Hart, an ambitious chorus girl and a wannabe vaudeville star, who murders her lover when he tries to end their relationship. It is based on a 1926 play of the same name by journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual criminals and crimes she reported on in Chicago.

Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb co-wrote the book. Ebb also wrote the lyrics and Fosse directed and choreographed the original production of “Chicago.”

“It’s a classic, traditional, sparkly American musical,” said Floyd. “It is very specific yet simple.”

The cast of "Chicago" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Wednesday[YONHAP]

With a very minimal set, “Chicago” lets the music and choreography take all the spotlight. The 14-piece on-stage band plays jazzy songs to which the cast gives tantalizing and witty performances.

Floyd and Frieden said that they feel as if they are one when dancing with one another.

Katie Frieden, left, and Logan Floyd perform "Hot Honey Rag" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Wednesday [YONHAP]

“From the very first time that Katie and I danced ‘Hot Honey Rag,’ we felt like we were one,” said Floyd. “Now it’s like poetry in motion.”

“Fosse’s choreography is one that you can just feel internally,” said Frieden. “It lets you just ride the music, and the details of the dance is what I think makes this show exceptionally smart.”

"Chicago" runs through Aug. 6 at Blue Square.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]