Jul 1, 2011 2 min read

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -The hit Tony Award musical, which has become the longest running revival on Broadway, “Chicago” will return to the West Virginia Public Theatre stage Wednesday through July 10 at the Historic Metropolitan Theatre in downtown Morgantown.

Sponsored by Consol Energy and with music by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, “Chicago” is the high-energy, award-winning musical that tells the story of Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, a vaudeville performer and a chorus girl, who have each recently committed murder. Velma, we soon find out, has murdered her husband and her sister, while Roxie has killed her lover, Fred Casey. With a little help from their charismatic lawyer, Billy Flinn, Velma and Roxie sing and dance their way through their respective murder trials.

?”Chicago” premiered on Broadway in 1975, played 936 performances, and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards. The 1996 revival is currently running, has played over 6000 performances, and won six Tony Awards. In 2002, a feature film was produced starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere, which won six Academy Awards. Notable songs include “All that Jazz,” “Razzle Dazzle,” and “Mister Cellophane.”

Performances will be held at 2?p.m. July 6, 8?p.m. July 7-9, and 2?p.m. July 10.

The season continues with Nunsense July 13 — July 18; Oliver! July 20 — July 24; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee July 27 — July 31.

Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8?p.m., with matinees on Wednesday and Sunday at 2?p.m.

For tickets, call 304-291-4122 (or toll free at 1-877-999-WVPT) or visit the WVPT box office at the theater at 363 High St., Morgantown between 9?a.m. and 5?p.m. Monday through Friday. More information can be obtained from WVPT’s website at www.wvpublictheatre.org.