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Chicago The Musical slot review

Chicago The Musical slot is from High 5 Games (H5G), who are as well known for making games for IGT as they are for making games under their own name. One look at this musical-inspired slot and you could easily mistake it for an IGT title, with its sharp graphics and crisp sounds that feel very familiar. Chicago The Musical has no resemblance to Novomatic's gangster-themed Chicago slot as the title makes clear. We have a polished production based on the Broadway play and a backdrop of Jazz Club music from the era. So will the game have you singing?

On the reels...
You start this play by seeing 5 reels of 3 rows and get 40 pay lines. The 3 main characters of Roxie, Velma and Billy Flynn are the most valuable paying 2.5, 2 and 1.5x bet respectively for a 5-of-a-kind with the 6 different letters of 'CHICAGO' making up the rest at 0.25x bet for the 5. These appear singly unlike the characters which are stacked as are the 'Be good to your Mama' Golden scatters of which you need the full 9 on the centre 3 reels to trigger the game's bonus round.

The game, Chicago The Musical™ celebrates the music and choreography of the iconic Broadway show. Follow the antics of Velma, Roxie, and Billy in their quest for fame and fortune in prohibition-era Chicago while you spin the reels, win Jackpots and All that Jazz! REVIEW: 'Chicago' at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (3.5 stars). Chicago's namesake musical is back, once again, on yet another tour, this time starring NFL vet Eddie George as Billy Flynn,. Chicago The Musical video slot allows you to relive the famous scenes and tunes from the show from as little as 0.40 a spin. The 5 reel, 40 adjustable payline video slot will allow you to stake up to a maximum of 40.00 a spin as your try to tempt the musical.

Chicago The Musical slot like H5G's Purrfect has 'super stacks' on every spin too, one character symbol or the standard Wild on all 5 reels is randomly selected for super stacks to increase winning chances.

Chicago The Musical Slot Machine Gun

Randomly you may see stacks of white fluff appear on the reels on some spins - this is the mystery symbol and if they land in view they will reveal a random character or Wild which will hopefully assist in getting a win.

The Wilds appear singly on all reels and deserve a special mention in the cast here because there are two types - the basic Diamond Wild which pays 25 for the 5 and there are also special Jackpot Wilds only appearing on reels 2, 3 and 4:

You can land the Cast Wild as scatters on the centre 3 reels for 25x your bet.

Land the Billy Flynn ones the same way for 250x your bet.

Get really lucky and hit the 3 Velma Wilds for 2500x bet.

If you hit the 3 Roxie Wilds then be prepared for a massive 10,000 x stake!

If the Wilds of any type land mixed they pay as standard Wilds.

You may also get a random feature where any symbol on the centre reels may turn Wild.

Broadway bonus
There are also 3 single Broadway Bonus scatters on the centre 3 reels. These trigger a trail climb of 10 levels. Each has 9 blank posters and you reveal one - if it's Velma you climb the ladder one rung, Roxie does the same and you can get a 'Combo' poster with both Velma and Roxie which has them climb one rung each. Hit Billy though and you collect Velma and Roxie's progress and their accumulated cash prizes and the ladder trail ends. Get to the top level and be prepared for some big cash multipliers!

Singing spins
Having hit the 9 Be good to your Mama scatters on the centre reels you will be shown 4 picks, each of which reveal 1-4 free spins thus you can get any amount from 4 to 16 in total. Each scatter landing in these free games will add one extra spin too. You get enhanced reels with more Wilds and characters present.

Our View...
Chicago The Musical slot is certainly worthy of a Broadway Production as a lot is going on and the bonus rounds are interesting, the base game pays good and of course there's potential for landing those huge Jackpot Wild awards. The music and singing are superb and it may be worth wearing headphones to appreciate the soundtrack of this slot. The RTP is 95% and the base game volatility is quite low which ensures a good bit of gameplay for your money. This is one game that probably will get you singing when you're winning...

The Visit is a musical with a book by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander.

Based on Friedrich Dürrenmatt's 1956 satirical play about greed and revenge Der Besuch der alten Dame, it focuses on one of the world's wealthiest women, Claire Zachanassian, who returns to her financially depressed hometown and offers its residents a new lease on life in exchange for the murder of Anton Schell, the man who abandoned her years ago.

Background[edit]

The musical adaptation of The Visit was originally developed as a vehicle for Angela Lansbury and was scheduled for a Broadway opening on March 15, 2001. It had been scheduled for a try-out in Boston for December 2000–January 2001. Frank Galati was the director with Ann Reinking as choreographer, and co-starring Philip Bosco.^[1] However, in July 2000 Lansbury withdrew due to the illness and subsequent death of her husband.^[1][2]

Production history[edit]

Chicago, 2001[edit]

Chita Rivera was signed as Lansbury's replacement and the musical, directed by Frank Galati and choreographed by Ann Reinking, was staged with Rivera and John McMartin by the Goodman Theatre, Chicago, opening on October 1, 2001.^[2] Galati said that because of the September 11, 2001 attacks the show did not move to Broadway: 'It was generally a success, but we couldn't get anyone from New York or California to see it. People weren't flying.' In that climate, he says, 'the whole idea of moving a very dark parable about human greed, the dark side of human nature,' was difficult. Reinking said: 'By the time you really could travel and people felt safe again, our run was up.'^[3][4]Regional theatre productions were considered as an alternative, while McNally rewrote the book. Then, in late 2003, The Public Theater announced it was mounting an off-Broadway production with Rivera and Frank Langella early the following year, but that too was cancelled when financing fell through.^[5]

Melbourne Theatre Company, 2003[edit]

Directed by Simon Phillips and starring Zoë Caldwell.^[6]

Signature Theatre, 2008[edit]

The Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia production of The Visit, began previews on May 13, 2008, officially opened on May 27 and ran through June 22. With direction by Frank Galati and choreography by Ann Reinking, Rivera was once again in the lead, with co-stars George Hearn and Mark Jacoby.^[7][8] Prior to this production, a closed reading was held on February 19, 2008, with, among others, Jayne Houdyshell, Florence Lacey, and Jason Danieley, joining Rivera, Hearn and Mark Jacoby.^[9]

Concert, on Broadway, 2011[edit]

On November 30, 2011, Rivera and John Cullum, directed by Carl Andress, starred in a stage concert at the Ambassador Theatre, presented by The Actors Fund and The Vineyard Theatre.^[10]

Williamstown Theatre Festival, 2014[edit]

A one-act version appeared at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, (Massachusetts) running from July 31, 2014 to August 17. The cast featured Chita Rivera, Jason Danieley, Judy Kuhn, Roger Rees, Diana DiMarzio, David Garrison, Michelle Veintimilla and Rick Holmes, with direction by John Doyle and choreography by Graciela Daniele.^[11][12][13] Music Direction was by David Loud, who has served as Music Director for each incarnation of the show.

Broadway, 2015[edit]

The 'one-act' version of The Visit which was presented at the Williamstown Theatre Festival began Broadway previews on March 26, 2015 and premiered on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre on April 23, 2015. Chita Rivera and Roger Rees, in his final stage performance, starred, with direction by John Doyle and choreography by Graciela Daniele.^[14] The production closed on June 14, 2015.^[15] Tom Nelis took over the role of Anton when Rees became ill.^[16]

Synopsis[edit]

Act I

'The citizens of Brachen are awaiting the visit of their very own Claire Wascher, now Claire Zachanassian, the oft-widowed, richest woman in the world. It's been a lifetime's absence during which they have fallen into utter bankruptcy. In anticipation of this visit, Anton Shell, a once prosperous shop keeper, remembers himself and Clara as young lovers ('Prelude'). The Mayor and the School Master have prepared a special welcome for their distinguished visitor ('Out of the Darkness'). All Brachen marvels at their visitor's glamorous, bejeweled presence ('At Last'). Claire explains the reason for it ('I Walk Away'). Her warm greeting to Anton makes the Mayor realize that Anton is the key to asking Claire to relieve them from their misery. Anton is confident he can ('I Know Claire). He leaves to rendezvous with Claire and their old trysting place, Konrad's Village Wood, while the others exult in their good fortune. Only the School Master has forebodings about her visit ('A Happy Ending'). Alone in the woods, the two old lovers and their younger selves reminisce ('You,You,You'). Anton is convinced that she will be their salvation ('I Must Have Been Something'). Everyone prepares for the gala banquet that evening at the Golden Apostle Hotel in Claire's honor ('Look at Me'). The Mayor and the citizens tell Claire of their inexplicable decline from prosperity to utter bankruptcy ('A Masque'). Claire then recounts her version of events, which differs considerably from theirs ('Eunuch's Testimony'). In exchange for rescuing them from financial calamity, she asks for the life of Anton Shell ('Winter'). The Mayor expresses outrage but the seeds have been planted ('Yellow Shoes').

Act II

Claire reveals that it is she herself who destroyed Brachen's once booming economy ('A Confession'). She is resolute in her terms: Anton's death. Claire's entourage, her Butler and two Eunuchs, swear eternal fealty to her ('I Would Never Leave You'). Alone in the attic above his shop, Anton wrestles with his fears ('Back and Forth'). The School Master visits Anton and tells him how the village is turning against him ('The Only One'). Anton struggles with his conscience ('Fear'). Embracing his fate and at peace with himself, he invites family for a drive in his son's new automobile, bought, like everything else in Brachen now, on credit ('A Car Ride'). Knowing Anton will join her in their old trysting place, Claire reflects on the incidents that have brought her to this moment in her life (Love and Love Alone). The lovers meet for a last time to discuss their whole past, including a child who died, before the town meeting that will decide Anton's fate ('In the Forest Again'). The visit over, Claire tells her butler, 'Rudi, get the bags packed. We are going to Capri' ('Finale').'

Song list[edit]

From the 2008 Signature Theatre production

From the One Act 2015 Broadway Production^[17]

Critical reaction[edit]

In reviewing the Signature Theatre production, theatre critic Peter Marks of The Washington Post wrote that it is an 'admirable if not consistently embraceable musical', and that it 'comes across as something short of electrifying with the addition of song and dance. It makes at times for a jarring art-house spectacle, as in the creepy contributions of Claire's eunuchs, harmonizing in falsetto. And yet there is also fine craftsmanship here, courtesy of director Frank Galati (Ragtime) and a design team expertly conjuring a laconic, Brechtian physical realm...' The score is'...a melodically cohesive web of Middle European waltzes and choral numbers that befit the cynical strands in the story and the formality of Swiss society.'^[18]

Paul Harris, reviewing for Variety, wrote: 'The polished Signature production offers much to admire, starting with an abundance of enjoyable melodies and clever lyrics from K&E...The radiant [Chita] Rivera offers a stylish performance as the aloof Claire, a woman eager to heap disdain on everyone she meets while guardedly avoiding remorse over the dirty plot against her only true love. She handles song and dance assignments with equal aplomb...[George] Hearn is equally credible...Not everything works. Trouble spots include an overly contrived act-one number in which the townspeople beg for Claire's help...But in its reincarnation, there is sufficient vitality, intrigue and entertaining music to make for a most satisfying 'Visit.'^[19]

Chicago The Musical Plot Summary

Awards and nominations[edit]

Original Broadway production[edit]

Notes[edit]

1. ^ ^abJones, Kenneth. 'Angela Lansbury Withdraws From 'The Visit'; Producers Seek Alternatives'Archived 2014-06-16 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, July 20, 2000
2. ^ ^abJones, Kenneth and Simonson, Robert.'Playbill News: Rivera Is Triple Threat in Kander & Ebb's The Visit, Opening Oct. 1'Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, October 1, 2001
3. ^Pressley, Nelson.'A 'Visit' With Very Familiar Faces of Broadway'The Washington Post, June 1, 2008
4. ^Rothstein, Mervyn.'Re-Visiting 'The Visit'Archived 2008-10-11 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, May 23, 2008
5. ^Simonson, Robert.'The Visit' Will Not Visit Off-Broadway as Investors Pull Out'Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, August 22, 2003
6. ^https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/the-visit-melbourne-theatre-company-20030707-gdh1wl.html
7. ^Signature Theatre
8. ^Jones, Kenneth.The Visit, With Rivera, Hearn and Jacoby, Opens May 27'Archived 2008-12-05 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, May 27, 2008
9. ^Gans, Andrew.'Lacey, Danieley, Felciano and Lazar Will Join Rivera and Hearn for 'Visit' Reading'Archived 2008-02-17 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, February 14, 2008
10. ^Hetrick, Adam.'John Kander, Terrence McNally and Chita Rivera Hopeful 'The Visit' Will Linger on Broadway'Archived 2011-12-01 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, November 28, 2011
11. ^Hetrick, Adam. 'Jason Danieley Replaces Howard McGillin in Kander and Ebb's 'The Visit'; Stars of 'Veep' and 'Girls' Join Williamstown Season'Archived 2014-06-16 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, June 2, 2014
12. ^'The Verdict: Critics Review Kander and Ebb's The Visit, Starring Chita Rivera'Archived 2014-08-06 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, August 4, 2014
13. ^Hetrick, Adam.' The Visit, Starring Chita Rivera, Ends at Williamstown; Creators Hopeful for Future Life'Archived 2014-08-21 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, August 17, 2014
14. ^Hetrick, Adam. 'A Musical Nearly 20 Years in the Making: 'The Visit', Starring Chita Rivera, Arrives On Broadway at Long Last' playbill.com, March 26, 2015
15. ^'With No Tony Wins, Kander and Ebb Musical The Visit, Starring Chita Rivera, Posts Closing Notice'. playbill.com. Playbill. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
16. ^Gioia, Michael. 'Roger Rees Undergoing Medical Treatment and Officially On Leave from 'The Visit' Playbill, May 29, 2015
17. ^The VisitArchived 2015-06-09 at the Wayback Machine playbill vault.com
18. ^Marks, Peter.'Dancing in The Dark: 'The Visit' With Chita Rivera'Washington Post, May 29, 2008
19. ^Harris, Paul.'Legit Reviews, Regional. 'The Visit'Variety, May 28, 2008

External links[edit]

• The Visit at the Internet Broadway Database