Mama Morton

From the Director

CHICAGO, "A story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery".  Miscarriages of justice, extra-marital affairs, lying poiticians, corrupt lawyers, mindless reality television shows, the prurient interest of the public and the press in the salacious activities of celebrities, the hollow ring of democracy in the face of self-interest  - sound familiar?  "Plus ca chance, plus c'est la meme chose."

In accordance with Shakespeare's maxim that the purpose of theatre, or "playing", is to "hold the mirror up to nature" (Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2), we have given CHICAGO a bit of a shake.  For me, theatre shold never be too safe.  We should always be seeking to provoke, to surprise and to stimulate, as well as to entertain.  Productions that preserve ideas in a kind of theatrical aspic do little to transport audiences.

It was with this in mind that I invited John Gibson and Shona McCullagh to work with me on CHICAGO, and we have had a fabulous time making it together.  Without Shona's choeographic genius and John's musical brilliance, there would be no show, and I am deeply grateful to them for both their commitment to the idea and their willingness to take things further.

I want to thank John Harding and Lesley Burkes-Harding too, set and costume despgners, with whom I spent many stimulating hours working through the possibilities for this production.  Their well-honed sense of theatre and story development, and their invigorating approach to problem solving were invaluable in developing both the look and flow of the work.

Then there is the talented, scintillating and at times absolutaly crazy cast.  It's been a joy and a privilege to explore this material with them.  We've worked really hard, we've had fun (what point would there be to it if we didn't?) and we've made something that I believe will resonate with audiences of all ages.

"Come on babe, we're gonna brush the sky ... "

-Michael Hurst

Decade-End Kudos

The Spinoff: "'Decade in review: The 10 NZ live show moments that defined the decade'

Chicago was Auckland Theatre Company's best show of the decade - one that took all the resources our country's splashiest theatre company could manage for a Lucy Lawless-led, deconstructed version of the Kander and Ebb musical. It tore the show to shreds and filled it with spectable, nuts choreography and arrangements that were aimed at one thing: more.  From the show's epic opening blackout, to a roof-burning rendition of When You're Good to Mama, to the sad, tapped-out conclusion, it was easily the best musical I saw in this country this decade.  It sold out, extended, and sold out again.  I'm sure that if we had the infrastructure to handle it, it'd still be running".

Year-End Kudos

Metro:

Lumiere Reader:  "One of the highlights of the year ... An explosion of sex and spectacle, Michael Hurst's production turns a musical that maybe isn't as great as its reputation into one of the best two and a half hours of the year".

Chicago Reviews

NZ Herald:  "With this fabulous, fast-tempoed spectacle of sizzle and sass, Michael Hurst once again proves himself an exceptional director of musical theatre, an auteur of clever, sexy noir with strong conceptual vision and stylistic flourish".

Theatreview:  "Michael Hurst's inspiring take on the classic musical is daring, fresh, dynamic, and bristling with sexual energy. ... world-class production ... go see it".

Theatre Scenes: "If you think you know Chicago, leave your expectations at the theatre door.  The stockings haven't just been rolled down, they've been ripped completely off in this down and dirty, hyper-sexualized re-imagining of the Kander and Ebb musical from the warped mind of virtuoso Michael Hurst ... If this triumphant production played in the main theatre centres of the world, I suspect it would be heralded as a major new revival.  Hurst plays fast and loose, allowing us to discover a Chicago that is immediate and cynical.  More importantly:  it is startlingly entertaining".

Lumiere Reader:  "Go and see Chicago.  It's the most fun I've had in a theatre in a long time, and is easily the best musical I've seen all year".

TV3:  "Auckland Theatre Company's reimagining of the Broadway classic ... is executed with director Michael Hurst's trademark flair. ... Hurst has taken the much-loved story and injected it with that winning trifecta: sex, drugs and rock 'n roll".

Metro:  "Director Michael Hurst has modernised and re-interpreted this seminal work. ... Shona McCullagh's choreography is demanding and glorious. ... A ticket to this vibrant, take-no-prisoners and cheering show ... is a worthwhile extravagence".

Listener:  "Director Michael Hurst and his team of collaborators bring bucketloads of the old razzle-dazzle".

NBR:  "Director Michael Hurst knows how to use actors and dancers to great effect and has created a scintillating show of sexual beauty, energy and tension".

Gay Express:  "Directed by Michael Hurst, Chicago is easily ATC's best show since Hurst's 2010 Cabaret. ... There's a big buzz around this show at the moment and it's completely justified".

Keeping Up with New Zealand:  "it's easy to be carried along with the Chicago madness with lots of whoops, cheers and gasps bounded around the theatre ... Congratulations have to go to Michael Hurst for creating this sexy spectacle of murder, money and media manipulation".

Stuff:  "it's bloody good fun ... the show is edge-of-your-seat-tapping-your-leg good times from start to finish.  Go see it".

Diversions: "This production has taken the story to a whole new level, it's unforgettable and breathlessly amazing ... ".