Roxie has several press . So as we navigate some truly difficult times, in which the legal and political systems seem to repeatedly fail women and absolve their abusers and harassers, we need to make sure that we are willing to stand up for the women in our lives. He is Roxie Harts husband. THIS FEATURE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PRO MEMBERS. Fosse, who grew up in Chicago in the 1930s and 1940s, lived in a city where the daily papers roared with the kinds of headlines the movie loves. Billy is a lot like a Hollywood Agent. So here's our list of audition songs for Chicago, broken down by character. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, you've got to come see . Innocent, sexy, desperate, selfish. Billy Flynn is a master of spin: he can transform the image of a murderer into the image of a tragic victim with incredible ease. The character either plays a major role, as a central element to . Upgrade to PRO Character description, analysis and casting breakdown for Billy Flynn from Chicago. It doesnt overly dramatize things that happen daily in life. Its the best thing about this musical. Character Analysis (Avoiding Spoilers) . Vocal Part: Bass-Baritone. Results may vary. New York, NY, Accessibility Statement Terms Privacy |StageAgent 2020. In prison, she develops a rivalry with the star Velma Kelly, who killed her own husband . He could have easily taken the fall for his wifes crime if not for his wifes idiocy. Stream #DaysofourLives exclusively on @PeacockTV beginning this Monday September 12th. to read our character analysis for Billy Flynn and unlock other amazing theatre resources! He has a strong speaking ability, lots of energy and presence. Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart will step into the role of Billy Flynn in the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago on Monday, January 17, at the Ambassador Theatre. You know why? She was known for having a performing act with her sister Veronica, but she killed her husband and her sister after finding them together. There was almost a third party for the battle for the title Darling of the Press the pineapple heiress who ended up with all the cameras and interviews right when Roxie was still waiting for her trial date. He considers his profession to be akin to the entertainment industry, with himself as an A-list star in the field. But if these songs are used well to push a story forward and introduce a set of dynamic characters that you can relate with, then youre rest assured of reruns that would last decades just like what happened in Chicago. Chicago, Illinois, United States. Whenever the accused stands trial, dramatic histrionics come into play, the defendant learns how to act (sounds familiar) and the lawyer ends up turning into a scriptwriter, director, agent and press release spinner all in one. The undefeated lawyer, Billy Flynn was originally Velma Kellys lawyer. lv>Flt-GOa5s(IqHH0b0r@{#@|gXK In rare cases, such as Roxie Hart's, he will take a discount rate in exchange for a cut of proceeds from selling ephemera and media rights fees related to the case. She herself shows a certain genius in the process, as when she dramatically reveals she is pregnant with Amos' child, a claim that works only if nobody in the courtroom can count to nine. Roxie was only too happy to turn her down as she was just returning the favor. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The Phantom of the Opera: What Was the Monkey Music Box For? Completely loyal and devoted to his beloved wife. The multi-platinum. Sweetest little jazz killer in Chicago. Notificarme los nuevos comentarios por correo electrnico. November 16, 2022 2:39PM. While being initially suspicious of Roxies innocence, Billy Flynns persuasion skills eventually influenced the way she covered the case. Billy Gardell plays Chicago police officer Mike who starts attending an Overeaters Anonymous group to lose weight where he meets soulmate Molly. He will often turn trials into a media circus and public spectacle, regularly manipulates witnesses to fit his narratives (which usually have no resemblance to the truth), and keeps a tabloid sob sister, Mary Sunshine, on retainer to ensure positive press coverage for his clients. He can persuade an audience of journalists that his client is immaculate as snow with the help of theatrical antics. Chicago.docx - Aristotle's analytical model puts the plot. The movie stars sweet-faced Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart, who kills her lover and convinces her husband to pay for her defense; and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, who broke up her vaudeville sister act by murdering her husband and her sister while they were engaged in a sport not licensed for in-laws. "If Jesus Christ had lived in Chicago," he explains, "and if he'd had $5,000, and had come to me--things would have turned out differently." There are a few moments of straight pathos, including Amos Hart's pathetic disbelief that his Roxie could have cheated on him; he sings "Mr. Cellophane" about how people see right through him. An early shot in "Being Flynn" shows Robert De Niro behind the wheel of a Yellow Cab, and the ground shifts beneath the movie. Sign up today to unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. But for the most part the film runs on solid-gold cynicism. Billy Flynn became a lawyer for two reasons: a) the money, and b) because people are schmucks, as easily fooled as children.Living at the top of 1920s Chicago society. Ha rd e n e d b y f a me , References to the '20s ("Roxy's dress is really a flapper dress; there are references to gangsters like . Images attached are from the film version of the hit musical. Grew up in cynical times. New York, NY, Linda Ray But when Roxie Hart (Rene Zellweger) also winds up in prison, Billy takes on her case as well - turning her into a media circus of headlines. <> Trending. The movie Chicago is a jazz type musical film full of murders, lies, sex and romance. The fact that the jazz-themed music are catchy enough to get stuck in your head makes the grim scenarios less grim than they actually are. account. And no feel-good musical would dare tell you the truth in barely-there clothing and fishnet stockings. . Arrogant and self-centered, she rebuffs the admiration and adulation that Roxie gave her. To take advantage of all of CharacTours features, you need your own personal During the movie he is seen in the audience during the final number applauding Roxie and Velma. I just realized how several versions of All That Jazz, Funny Honey and Razzle Dazzle sung outside the Hollywood really got me thinking about this hit musical. . Zeta-Jones was, in fact, a professional dancer in London before she decided to leave the chorus line and take her chances with acting, and her dancing in the movie is a reminder of the golden days; the film opens with her "All that Jazz" number, which plays like a promise "Chicago" will have to deliver on. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The Man in the Iron Mask, The Man in the Iron Mask (Genre), The Man in the Iron Mask (Character) and more. The vaudeville is perfect for a caricature of 1920s Chicago, where life seemed to occur exclusively in the seductive smog of jazz bars, and rejecting the moral norms of previous decades wastrs la mode. Currently the second longest-running show on Broadway, the 1996 revival of Chicago boasts a long list of celebrities who have stepped into its leading roles. Kelly is based on the character "Velma", who first appeared in the 1926 play, also called Chicago, who was in-turn inspired by the life of Belva Gaertner . Nora would force him inside the . Even vaudeville has its own spin on sharing these stories. Gain full access to show guides, character breakdowns, auditions, monologues and more! Alphabet Soup: Billy Flynn. We stand wi, "Beginning is at once a masterful composition of observational comedy, and an incredibly moving commentary on moder, Misinformation and lack of knowledge often turn our bodily fluids into a taboo. Originally, when the score was being written for the stage, Roxie was intended as the focus of the narrative, but concerns about the health and stamina of leading lady Gwen Verdon lead to more stage time being given to Velmas character. Musicals; . Billy Flynn became a lawyer for two reasons: a) the money, and b) because people are schmucks, as easily fooled as children. Just like Velma, she is self-centered and is only concerned with the now, not the aftermath that follows the case once the verdict is handed down. Roxie is not very bright and never thinks about the consequences of her actions before she says or does things, but She will does whatever it takes to be a huge star. What is stark in both versions is the limited power that these women actually have. An era of flamboyant youth and flappers, gangsters and gin, and hi-jinks and hilarity. Lets analyze the characters that made a dent in our memory among the musicals that we have seen so far. Flynn is a composite character based on real-life Chicago attorneys of the era, William Scott Stewart and W. W. His love of acting began as a child. He is an incredibly charismatic, flamboyant and smooth talking lawyer with an incredibly corrupt and nihilistic outlook on life. Despite the supposedly light, vaudeville style of Chicago, Kander, Ebb and Fosse's adaptation (which takes inspiration from Maurine Dallas Watkin's play of the same name) draws purposeful parallels between the legal system and the culture of celebrity and sensation journalism. She doesnt have the money. I am referring to how a criminal proceeding was presented with such chutzpah, you realize how such presentation ends up becoming a lot more honest about the legal proceedings. Velma is supposed to be a singing and dancing star, and Zeta-Jones delivers with glamor, high style and the delicious confidence the world forces on you when you are one of its most beautiful inhabitants. Los campos obligatorios estn marcados con *. characters named adam. Hayden McAllister, a junior who plays Billy Flynn, watched several productions of Chicago to help him prepare for his role. An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works The Road To Chicago. The late 1920s. Flynn, who has never lost a case, now only takes the most high-profile clients. EDGE spoke to Lane about his love of theater, returning to "Chicago," and working with Jinkx Monsoon. Ages 12-17: Camp Broadway Ensemble @ Carnegie Hall. Join StageAgent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. American. The movie doesn't update the musical so much as bring it to a high electric streamlined gloss. 2 0 obj She is a nave woman with a bad temper. Billy Flynn is just in it for the money. Sarcastic, sexy, tough, funny. Residence. Definitely the kind of lawyer you would hire because his antics can work to your, hes worth the money paid. That way, he ended up becoming a tool for everyone to exploit. Enter a world of jazz, crime, and razzle dazzle at Chicago on Broadway. Billy Flynn said it best too Its showbiz!. While professionally a lawyer, in the story he was more like a press relations officer and a spin doctor. Nothing is taken seriously from the murders to the trials. Whats the one comforting factor in all this? Gain full access to show guides, character breakdowns, auditions, monologues and more! Through the characters nave faith in the glitz of fame, coupled with lawyer Billy Flynns (Richard Gere) impressive courtroom tap dancing (and casual objectification of women), the film makes a clear comparison between showbiz and the legal system. As he tells Roxie, This is Chicago, kid. The song is a true show with backup dancers, costume changes, and dancing, and Flynn takes the viewer to see him as the "ordinary guy" before realizing he is a top-notch lawyer in town. Velma Kelly and her sister Veronica had a double-act at "The Onyx", but one night before their show Velma caught her husband Charlie in the act with her sister Veronica, so she . . . Chicago characters breakdowns including full descriptions with standard casting requirements and expert analysis. It features Billy Flynn, the corrupt lawyer Roxie Hart, as he attempts to turn her trial into a media circus. The minimalist treatment applied worked too. So we spoke to @, In the depths of January, its easy to be hard on ourselves. Pages 3 Course Hero uses AI to attempt to automatically extract content from documents to surface to you and others so you can study better, e.g., in search results, to enrich docs, and more. Billy will take any case as long as it is sure to put money in his pocket. He is joined in the cast by "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" winner Jinkx Monsoon who plays Mistress Morton. Prior to Mike & Molly, Gardell was known for playing another cop - Jeff Hoyne - on My Name Is Earl and is currently starring in another Chuck Lorre sitcom, Bob Hearts . I think its female friendship. Daytime star's family is about to get bigger by one. Flynn has staying power. The decision to use non-singers and non-dancers is always controversial in musicals, especially in these days when big stars are needed to headline expensive productions. The foreigner. And it gets me thinking about several factors that made the repeat viewings worth it. Zellweger is not a born hoofer, but then again Roxie Hart isn't supposed to be a star; the whole point is that she isn't, and what Zellweger invaluably contributes to the role is Roxie's dreamy infatuation with herself, and her quickly growing mastery of publicity. She is wealthy because of her family and she is known for going crazy telling everyone to go-to-hell. You cant beat fresh blood on the walls.Personality confident and cunning. Instead of remorse, she felt so much pride at the sight of her name on the broadsheets front page discussing the horrors of her double homicide case. billy flynn chicago character analysis "Bologna da Vivere, non solo la convinzione di coloro i quali visitano questa splendida citt, ma anche e soprattutto uno dei pi importanti e - per qualit di servizi offerti- uno dei pi interessanti portali internet che si possono consultare on line." 26 febbraio 2001 . include an upper and lower case character and a number. The reason is that it isn't about Roxie. These are small roles that will be played by members of the chorus and the dance ensemble. but not much is done with the character. It's not all breakneck production numbers, but it's never far from one. The movie stars sweet-faced Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart, who kills her lover and convinces her husband to pay for her defense; and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, who broke up her vaudeville sister act by murdering her husband and her sister while they were engaged in a sport not licensed for in-laws. Luckily, she's enlisted the help of hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn, whose influence is also helping make her a household name. The queen from the Chicagos press. Her statements regarding the murder case conflicted after her lawyer, Billy Flynn, got preoccupied with his . Billy Flynn stands six feet tall. Get Roxie acquitted for her murder of her lover Fred Casely, Kang the Conqueror (Marvel Cinematic Universe). Rated PG-13 Chicago Play Critique Character Analysis. Fred Ebb The case against Beulah May Annan, the model for Roxie, was very close to her story in Chicago. Chicago (2002) Richard Gere as Billy Flynn. . Gwen Verdon: Roxie Hart: Chita Rivera: Velma Kelly: Jerry Orbach: Billy Flynn: Barney Martin: Amos Hart: Mary McCarty: Matron Mama Morton: M. O'Haughey: Mary Sunshine: . Upgrade to PRO to read our character analysis for Billy Flynn and unlock other amazing theatre resources! Videos. "The Prince of Darkness", was a narcissistic and prolific serial rapist, robber, abductor, one-time cop killer, and serial-turned-spree killer who appeared in Seasons Five and Six of Criminal Minds. Despite the supposedly light, vaudeville style ofChicago, Kander, Ebb and Fosses adaptation (which takes inspiration fromMaurine Dallas Watkins play of the same name) draws purposeful parallels between the legal system and the culture of celebrity and sensation journalism. She is a nave woman with a bad temper. For Fosse, the Chicago of Roxie Hart supplied the perfect peg to hang his famous hat. He makes it interesting. Find out how you match to him and 5500+ other characters. In the original Broadway version, the song was performed by Flynn's actor, the late Jerry Orbach. The Chicago from Broadway design relies on three guiding principles: 1. But she has Amos who may be way dumber than Roxie will ever be. Velma Kelly. Billy Flynn, a.k.a. "Chicago" is a musical that might have seemed unfilmable, but that was because it was assumed it had to be transformed into more conventional terms. Billy knows the secret to getting public opinion on his side: turn the whole trial into a show! Here Comes Baby: "Days of our Lives" star Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera) and his wife, Gina Comparetto, recently celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary. The villainy of the six Cook County Jail murderesses, as told through Cell Block Tango, is temptingly redemptive as we hear the list of their murdered partners crimes against them. And she found a way to make a bad situation work out for her like realizing how she can be the toast of the town despite being in jail which brings us to the next factor that made this musical such a hit. Her best attempts at intelligence are only apparent because her husband, Amos, is dumber than her. The comparison, though satirical, strikes a rather serious chord under all the cabaret, cursing and relentless sarcasm. ON BREAKING CHARACTER . He can make the court believe that his client is not a murderer but only an innocent soul pushed to a corner into fighting back. You have a bunch of dancers and all that jazz having fun in what seemed to be a nightclub in Prohibition Era Chicago and then an extra giddy couple enters the stage and go lovey-dovey on each other. Get Access. "Chicago" is a Musical with music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Kelly is an aloof nightclub singer/vaudevillian of the 20's, who plays sensationalist musical numbers at the jazz nightclub "The Onyx" in Chicago. He was made to believe that Roxie is pregnant with his kid. Roxie, with some help from Amos, ended up getting his services in order to secure her freedom. Its less about the law applicable to her and more about the drama applied on the law available for her to use. It was the Hollywood film version that suggested that. (}1({SZW+]U|x Nightclub sensation Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) murders her philandering husband, and Chicago's slickest lawyer, Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), is set to defend her. Born sometime in 1955, Flynn and his mother Nora, a prostitute and drug addict, lived in the suburbs of southern California in his early years. Join StageAgent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. The matron of the Cook County Jail who believes that all favors she gives should be reciprocated or paid for. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Maybe because it has worked before. A topnotch vaudeville performer, Velma Kelly was incarcerated for her murder of her husband and her sister after catching them in bed. In the 2002 film, he was portrayed by Richard Gere, who also played Dennis Peck in Internal Affairs. Jones and Zellweger as Velma and Roxie in Chicago. Sign up today to unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. Murderesses Velma Kelly (a chanteuse and tease who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together) and Roxie Hart (who killed her boyfriend when she discovered he wasn't going to make her a star) find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago. He is an incredibly charismatic, flamboyant and smooth talking lawyer with an incredibly corrupt and nihilistic outlook on life. Expressive and charismatic. Beware Terrible view from normal price balcony seats Phantom of the Opera Her Majesty's Theatre, Top 30 Most Influential People in Musical Theater. Since she has lied far enough to prolong her newfound fame, she then faked a pregnancy. Our Picks for The 2019/20 Season: K-12 Edition Felicia Lucas April 23, 2019. When Roxie found out the true, she killed him with a gun. Movies. Thanks for reading. These are Roxie Hart, Amos Hart, Velma Kelly and Billy Flynn.