Chicago

See it if you love Fosse (I do) and can forgive its age.

Don't see it if you're jaded or sophisticated. It doesn't quite hold up.

Also Brought a friend who had never seen the live show. I (think I) saw the original 70's production but I was a naive babe in the wood. Have LOVED so many of the musical #s and they still work on their own mostly, but the show doesn't really hang together as a whole. I wonder now if it ever did?... Read more Read less

See it if you love jazz with a dark kick to it.

Don't see it if you can't stand jazz and want a full-blown staging/costume set.

See it if You enjoy classic, cabaret-esque musicals with great, Fosse-style dancing.

Don't see it if You're looking for something new & fresh, or you don't like murder, adultery, and hot jazz.

Also It occasionally felt like the cast was just going through the motions which, while understandable, was a bit disappointing. But still, there were so many iconic moments & the courtroom ventriloquist scene was absolutely stunning.... Read more Read less

See it if You are alive and enjoy great singing, great dancing, great story, staging

Don't see it if You are dead otherwise you'll love it.

See it if you want to see an all-time classic musical. It has some great music but even better dancing.

Don't see it if you are expecting a large spectacle. There is not much stage space and is mostly played as a concert.

See it if you’re interested in Broadway artifacts. You have cheap tickets.

Don't see it if you hope the show rivals the movie in creativity and world-building.

Also What I wish I knew before seeing it:
1. Seems like it’s been running for eons, but this production is a revival that originated as a staged concert; it doesn’t have the full blown production value you’d expect from a longstanding Broadway show with legendary designers and choreographers attached to it

2. The published critical acclaim came from 15-20 years ago (!) by critics reacting to the celebrities cast back then and staging choices that were probably daring at the time

Chicago would be less disappointing if it was moved off-Broadway into a more intimate space. Closer proximity to the performers could make the broad style funnier? The old-fashioned jazz dancing sexier? The minimalist design seem judicious and scrappy rather than lazy?

The songs, story, and anti-hero characters are good bones, but this show is overdue for another update.... Read more Read less

See it if You love the music an me story of this classic.

Don't see it if You want a fresh and imaginative production of this classic.

See it if Recent return (since 2006) finds CM sexier than ever with the current crop of Bway famous leads and ensemble

Don't see it if "Star" casting can be a mixed bag although it provides some cover for ever increasing ticket prices

See it if you love musicals, cabaret style performances, or loved any previous iterations of it.

Don't see it if you dislike musicals or stories about infidelity and criminals/murderers.

Also It was a lot funnier than I'd anticipated. Absolutely loved the cast and the songs. My cousin was a little disappointed in the staging, since she was expecting something grander, but I thought it was great and definitely matched the cabaret style of important scenes.... Read more Read less

See it if you've somehow missed it and have yet to do so; like vaudeville or musicals in 1920s jazz-club style that are slim on storytelling.

Don't see it if needing dramatic sets, intense stories, and even pacing. The opening few numbers are energetic and well-done; then the show loses steam.

Also There may still be glimmers of that old razzle-dazzle, but among the glitter is a slight tarnish. There's no doubt Chicago's ensemble gives its physical all, but I found the leads of Bianca Marroquin (Roxy Hart) and Amra-Faye Wright (Velma Kelly) extremely disappointing--I think part of it has to do with The Ambassador Theatre's sound system; I was in the Rear Mezzanine and found the womens' voices so low as to not be able to hear whole sections of what they were saying (and others around me also had the same complaints). In truth, I went to see Tony Yazbeck as Billy Flynn, and the evening I went was his final performance. LaVon Fisher-Wilson as Matron "Mama" Morton seemed to be the fans' favorite, as each time she appeared, the audience went a bit wild. While modestly enjoyable, Chicago's not one that'll leave me thinking and mulling it over much: it's pure spectacle and the satiric tone of the original production, social commentary regarding corruption, feels lost. It's unfulfilled.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy darker musicals with a message.

Don't see it if you want to see something light and fluffy.

See it if you have never seen it. You have to see it at least once. Also, if you're big on dance shows

Don't see it if you don't like minimal production value or cast members that are TOO OLD to still be in the show.

See it if historic broadway musical revivals are always must-see for you. Still stands the test of time buy only because of its infamous choreography.

Don't see it if fluffy/silly dated shows don't cut it. Will make the grade for theater-history buffs, but this production's more for tourists than purists.

See it if You like shows with darker plots and themes, seductively flashy aesthetics, jazzy Broadway numbers

Don't see it if You're not a fan of risqué characters and clothing, want something lighter

See it if You're a fan of whomever the lead actor/actress of the day is. You loved the film and need more.

Don't see it if You want something fresh and modern. This is an old classic by now.

See it if you like tony yazbeck, you're fine with minimal staging/costumes, & you consider tight seating "cozy" & not terribly restricting.

Don't see it if you saw & loved the movie. chances are you'll be disappointed.

See it if you don't have kids and seeing a Broadway show for the first time.

Don't see it if you've seen it somewhere else or on film. The recent cast isn't as good as it used to be.

See it if Iike Fosse choreography

Don't see it if If you saw the movie & loved it. The shown is very tired now.

See it if you like the music and Fosse and if you don't mind no sets or costumes.

Don't see it if you need sets and costumes or if you don't like slow musicals.

See it if you are a FAN of musical theater.

Don't see it if you are a stick in the mud.

Also Chicago is a show which has come to be known as a crown jewel in the world of musical theater . We are ALL familiar with the music and at least a few lyrics to some of the songs, and that fact alone says something to the genius of of Kander and Ebb. The show is a party from beginning to end and this current "stripped down" production from the original styled production has proven to be a timeless reflection of the world we live in despite the fact that the show originally originated on Broadway in 1975. Who would have ever thought that would have ever happened?... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see one of the longest-running musicals on broadway, if you like jazz and glitz.

Don't see it if you want something fresh and groundbreaking. I loved it when I saw it around two decades ago, but it's a little dated now.

See it if You want something old school.

Don't see it if You want something new and modern

See it if you love Kander and Ebb, traditional musical theatre and a good story.

Don't see it if you want flashy musicals with lots of special effects, only like contemporary musicals.

See it if you never have before

Don't see it if you are expecting a show that won 6 Tony awards

See it if you need a point of comparison from the excellent movie.

Don't see it if if dark stories don't entertain you.