Chicago-'We Both Reached for the Gun'

1) Characteristics of a Musical

Musical: Chicago

Composer: John Kander

Librettist: Fred Ebb

First performed: June 1975

Plot:

The story is set in the 1920's Chicago.

Based on two main characters-Velma and Roxie Hart.

Velma is a famous vaudeville performer who was sent to jail for murdering her husband and sister. She murdered the two people as she caught them having an affair. She gained a lot of publicity during her trial and wanted to continue having the limelight on herself.

However, Roxie Hart steals Velma's attention from the public as she had a scandalous murder where she killed a man who she was having an affair with. Roxie's husband Amos,finds the dead man and her in the same room. Roxie manipulate her husband to believe that she killed him in self defence and gets Amos to take the blame.

The two women try to hold onto the limelight, however, a new murder trial comes along and the public are not as interested in their stories.

Roxie and Velma decide to work and perform together instead of against each other.

LISTEN- here

This is a trial scene where Roxie Hart tries to claim her innocence from the murder.

Activity 1- Download the word document, complete the questions and email to Miss Kim