Skip to main content
Chicago Broadway musical poster
MusicalRevival

Chicago

87
Critical Gold

Most reviews from 30 years ago

Audience: B+ · Liking It

Ambassador Theatre · 2h 30m · Opened Nov 14, 1996 · 29+ years on Broadway

Critics' Take

Critics hail this stripped-down revival as wildly entertaining and pulse-racing, with top-flight performances bringing fresh vitality to Kander and Ebb's dark musical about celebrity and crime.

Critic Scorecard

9 reviews
Sort:
CurtainUp logo
CurtainUpNov 20, 1996

It remains a heartening experience, a life-affirming dedication to the magic and art of theatre, and something that absolutely should not be missed.

TheaterMania logo
TheaterManiaJan 31, 2023

I am typically of the opinion that no show has any business occupying a Broadway house for more than a decade: Theater is ephemeral, and the magic tends to wear off as the years pass and performances become stale. ’Chicago’ makes this a difficult position to maintain. Ten thousand performances later, it's still dazzling.

How this score works →

Audience Scorecard

13.7K audience reviews
B+
Liking It
Show Score
85%
10.3K reviews
Mezzanine
4.1/5
98 reviews
Theatr
67%
2.5K votes
Bway.com
4.6/5
574 reviews
Reddit
74%
327 mentions

Awards Scorecard

1996-97 season
91
Sweeper
Won Best Revival (Musical) + 5 more
Tony Awards (1996-97)
6wins
of
8noms
Drama Desk:6 wins / 8 nomsOuter Critics:6 wins / 8 nomsDrama League:2 wins

Box Office Scorecard

source · Broadway League, public

week of 8/2/2026 · rank #22 on Broadway

2.1% market sharethis wk
This Week
$728K
Gross
5%WoW
22%YoY
78%
Capacity
5%WoW
11%YoY
$108
Avg Ticket
1%WoW
11%YoY
6,721
Attendance
5%WoW
11%YoY
12-week trend$428K — $759K
All Time
$841.3M
Gross
11.6K
Performances
11.1M
Attendance

Showtimes

This Week(Aug 3–9)

Frequently Asked Questions

What do critics say about Chicago?

Critics hail this stripped-down revival as wildly entertaining and pulse-racing, with top-flight performances bringing fresh vitality to Kander and Ebb's dark musical about celebrity and crime. (CriticScore 87/100 from 9 reviews.)

Is Chicago worth seeing?

Absolutely — Chicago is one of the season's most acclaimed shows, earning a rare 87/100 from 9 critics. Don't miss it.

What is the CriticScore for Chicago?

Chicago has a CriticScore of 87/100 based on 9 professional reviews. This is considered a "Critical Gold" show.

Is Chicago still running on Broadway?

Yes, Chicago is currently playing at Ambassador Theatre on Broadway.

Where is Chicago playing on Broadway?

Chicago is playing at Ambassador Theatre, located at 219 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019.

How long is Chicago?

Chicago has a runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes, including 1 intermission.

Is Chicago appropriate for children?

Chicago is recommended for Ages 13+.

Socials Scorecard

last 7 days
Rank
#4
of 30
RISING
in Broadway social buzz
221 mentions this week
30
191
Tony Yazbeck and Michael Berresse doing "Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag" from Chicago. The unison on "Hot Honey Rag" is… @madamehardy.bsky.social
gosto mto do anime de monster mas nunca li o manga inteiro pra comparar. zola melhor adaptação de thread do twitter.… @mollymaukery.bsky.social
See all trending showsupdated Aug 3 · refreshed weekly

Theater Scorecard

Typical Venue

The Ambassador Theatre offers generally good sightlines, especially from central seats, but suffers from tight seating and limited legroom. Its ambiance is typical of older Broadway theaters, and facilities like restrooms can be crowded during intermissions.

Discount Tickets

Box Office Rush

$49
10 AM Monday–Saturday; noon Sunday
Ambassador Theatre box office

On sale when the box office opens on a first-come, first-served basis. 25 tickets available. Limit 2 per person.

Standing Room

$39
10 AM Monday–Saturday; noon Sunday

Available at the box office on the day of the performance only if the show is sold out. Limit 2 tickets per person.

Some links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

Cast Updates

IvyJoining (Limited)as Roxie Hart
Aug 17, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026

South Korean pop star making Broadway debut; limited engagement through Sept 6

Source

Previously in This Show

Derek Houghas Emcee/Opening Monologue
Jul 20, 2026 – Jul 20, 2026

One-night-only debut delivering Chicago's opening monologue at 7 PM performance.

Source
Matteo Laneas Billy Flynn
Jun 22, 2026 – Jul 19, 2026

Broadway debut; limited engagement through July 19.

Source
Nik Walkeras Billy Flynn
May 4, 2026 – Jun 21, 2026

Succeeded by Matteo Lane, who debuted June 22.

Source

Current Cast

Original Broadway Cast

Notable Replacements

Creative Team

Quick Facts

CriticScore
87/100 (9 reviews)
Status
Now Playing
Opened
Nov 14, 1996
Running
29+ years on Broadway
Runtime
2h 30m
Intermissions
1
Age
Ages 13+
Synopsis
Set in the legendary city during the roaring twenties, Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife who murders her lover and convinces her husband to take the fall. The longest-running American musical in Broadway history.
Data Last Updated
August 9, 2026

Other Productions of Chicago

Open Shows You Might Like

Closed Shows You Might Like

Learn how our scores work →