THE ‘SEXIEST musical ever’ will return to Bradford in October next year.

The multi award-winning production of Chicago can be seen at the Alhambra Theatre from October 11-16 as part of a national tour. The sexiest musical accolade came from the newspaper Metro, on top of six Tony awards, two Olivier awards and a Grammy.

Chicago is the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse. The sassy score includes the songs Razzle Dazzle, Cell Block Tango and All That Jazz.

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her.

Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

Since it opened in New York in 1996, Chicago has played in 36 countries worldwide, and been performed in English, Dutch, German, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, French, Danish, Japanese and Korean.

Across the globe it has been seen by an estimated 33 million people, grossed over $1.7 billion has played over 32,500 performances. It is based on a play by Maurine Dallas Watkins. The musical’s 1996 Broadway revival was choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse, directed by Walter Bobbie, and produced by Barry and Fran Weissler.

The original 1926 play was written by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, and was about actual criminals and the crimes on which she reported. Her story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the “celebrity criminal”.

The original Broadway production opened in 1975 at the 46th Street Theatre, and ran for 936 performances, until 1977. Bob Fosse choreographed the original production, and his unique style is strongly identified with the show. It debuted in the West End in 1979, where it ran for 600 performances. Chicago was revived on Broadway in 1996, and a year later in the West End.

Call 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk to book tickets for Chicago at the Alhambra.