Bob Fosse created the original production of "Chicago." The show opened on Broadway in 1975, starring Fosse's wife, Gwen Verdon, as Roxie Hart and Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly. The story revolves around Hart murdering her sister and husband upon finding them together and striking up a rivalry and friendship in prison with Kelly, an infamous murderess. The production was not widely loved by audiences and critics, and was overshadowed by the phenomenon of "A Chorus Line," which opened the same year. After 936 performances, the production closed in August of 1977.
In 1996, "Chicago: The Musical" was revived to run on Broadway as part of a series paying tribute to forgotten musicals. Ann Reinking choreographed the musical in "Fosse-esque" style and starred as Roxie Hart. The production also featured Bebe Neuwirth as Velma Kelly, Joel Grey as Roxie's husband, Amos Hart, and James Naughton as attorney Billy Flynn. The production won six Tony Awards and a Grammy award for Best Original Cast Recording. "Chicago: The Musical" is still running on Broadway as of March, 2011. Over the years, the casting has changed and has included stars such as Melanie Griffith, Taye Diggs, Brooke Shields and Usher.
Six months after its Broadway premiere in 1996, "Chicago: The Musical" struck out on its first national tour. Since that time, there have been 10 separate national touring productions of the show. Many casts have toured with the musical; the production has been performed in nine different languages and in 25 different countries. Since its premiere in 1996, the musical has grossed more than $850 million worldwide and has played more than 15,000 performances for around 17 million people throughout the world.
In 2002, "Chicago" was turned into a film. The movie version stars Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, Richard Gere as Billy Flynn and John C. Reilly as Amos Hart. The film adaptation stuck very close to the story and songs of the Broadway musical, complete with its "Fosse-esque" choreography. It was praised by critics and audiences upon its release and even beloved by hardcore fans of the musical. The movie won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Zeta-Jones.