All That Jazz: The Life and Times of the Musical Chicago

by Ethan Mordden, Joel Froomkin (Narrator)

In 1975, the Broadway musical Chicago brought together a host of memes and myths-the gleefully subversive character of American musical comedy, the reckless glamour of the big-city newspaper, the mad decade of the 1920s, the work of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, and the Wild West gangsterville that was the city of Chicago itself. The tale of a young woman who murders her departing lover and then tricks the jury into letting her off, Chicago seemed too blunt and cynical at first. Everyone agreed it was show biz at its brilliant best, yet the public still preferred A Chorus Line, with its cast of innocents and sentimental feeling. Nevertheless, the 1996 Chicago revival is now the longest-running American musical in history. As author Ethan Mordden looks back at Chicago's various moving parts-including the original 1926 play that started it all, a sexy silent film directed by Cecil B. DeMille, a talkie remake with Ginger Rogers, the musical itself, and at last the movie of the musical-we see how the American theater serves as a kind of alternative news medium, a town crier warning the public about the racy, devious interior contradictions of American society. Opinionated, witty, and rich in backstage anecdotes, All That Jazz brings the American musical to life in all its artistry and excitement.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Music, Audiobook, Theatre

Audio CD

Published August 28, 2018

Reviews

[Ronie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was a lot of narratives to get through. Very interesting, how the play was change. I need to get a taping of it. I only watched the movie. I feel I missed out on whole sections

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan Morddeen's passion for the Theatre is such a joy to read. I truly appreciate the in-depth research and history he discusses in rich detail.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mordden manages to give you a complete, yet quick, history of the Chicago, the American musical, and all forms of "Chicago", from the original play through 3 movie versions ans the two musical incarnations. It's quite extraordinary that he manages to do this in so few pages, and enterain the reader all at the same time. An astonishing achievement!

[Hillary DG · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest I mainly wanted to get the inside scoop on the most recent movie, because as a millennial that’s the version of the musical I’m most familiar with. There was a lot of discussion about the 1920’s, Chicago as a city, and other musicals that I didn’t really come for but some of which was interesting. I did enjoy some of the unexpected discussion of The Cradle Will Rock, a largely unknown classic musical that my very hipster high school did for our spring musical one year.

[Tim Pinckney · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've read his other books, you know Mr. Mordden is not afraid to express his opinion which can make for entertaining and sometimes aggravating reading. But never dull. This book has some interesting background stories but I found it surprisingly flat considering the colorful subject matter.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. I truly cannot believe how long it took me to finish this book- especially considering the content is the history of one of my favourite pieces of art of all time. In reading this book there were moments where I flew through pages upon pages, and moments where every sentence felt like a hill that needed to be climbed. It may be because this book at times reads more like an academic analysis/ history lesson on the city of Chicago and how it has come to be represented onstage- but I found the writing incredibly dull.

If you can slog your way through the essay-like phrasing, pedantic word choice, and academic drivel of the first 100 pages then you’re in for a treat as the book opens itself to become more of a behind the scenes look at the creation, discussion, and drama that goes into launching a piece of theatre. As I’ve stated- the book takes an overly academic approach at the history and yet through the scholarly jargon it’s astoundingly clear that this author has strong opinions on the subject matter- and you’re going to sit there and suffer through them all. It’s so strange to me that an author could lean so far into their own opinion while writing a nonfiction piece that is being presented in a writing style that brings to mind an analytical essay. If you’re looking for a fun show biz tell-all that celebrates the highs, lows, and in betweens of the messy glitz and glam of this piece of Musical Theatre- then this book is certainly not for you. If you’re into a more academic analysis and study on the creation of a piece of truly American theatre then give this book a try- believe me the second hundred pages are worth the trek.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan Mordden (When Broadway Went to Hollywood), a prolific authority on the American musical, turns his attention to Bob Fosse's 1975 musical CHICAGO. The sardonic and dark Broadway production starring Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera had the misfortune of opening the same year as A CHORUS LINE, so it didn't win any Tony Awards and ran only two years. In 1996, the show was revived on Broadway to great acclaim as a stripped-down, minimalist production. More than two decades later, it's still running--making CHICAGO the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Mordden traces the show's many theater and movie incarnations: beginning with the Maurine Watkins original 1926 Broadway comedic melodrama through the Oscar-winning 2002 film adaptation starring Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Watkins's successful play was turned into a 1927 silent film directed by Cecil B. DeMille (who removed his name from the credits because his biblical epic THE KING OF KINGS was also playing in theaters at the time, and he felt audiences wouldn't want him depicting a crime drama so soon after seeing his life of Christ). In 1942, the play was remade again as ROXIE HART, starring Ginger Rogers. It wasn't until Fosse revived the story for his musical that the supporting character Velma Kelly became a co-lead.

Mordden is a chatty, enthusiastic and supremely knowledgeable guide. His song-by-song examination of John Kander and Fred Ebb's musical score is a master class on musical theater. ALL THAT JAZZ is a treat for theater buffs.

[Veronica Giguere · Rating 4 out of 5]

All That Jazz is a fascinating study of not just the history of the musical Chicago, but an exploration of the times and people responsible for shaping the original play into the well-known musical revival of the late twentieth century. Written for lovers of history as well as lovers of theatre, All That Jazz presents itself as a graduate-level study with the musical Chicago as the focus and a sincere desire to pay homage to the places and personalities that serve as its foundation. The account flows from the history of the city and its tropes, to a study of the archetypes of the city and the theatre during the early twentieth century, and moves into a deliberate exploration of each of the incarnations of Chicago. From stage play to multiple film incarnations to musical and finally revival, Mordden is thorough in his explanation and looks to many of the writers, producers, and actors who made each version possible.

As I listened to the audiobook, I must note that the narrator, Joel Froomkin, is a perfect match for the book and content. Presenting the material in the style of a well-written and utterly immersed university professor, he holds nothing back when quoting playwrights and producers, the bit of character shining through and adding to Mordden's work. Froomkin comes across as a fan of the material, committed to paying homage to Chicago as Mordden does, placing the perfect intonation on iconic lines at just the right time. Delightful pairing of narrator and material, resulting in a brilliant performance.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as exciting as I'd hoped. I loved Mordden's histories of Broadway musicals by the decades and still treat them as reference works whenever I want to remember something about a show, and I think what he was trying to do here with this book on Chicago was interesting - i.e., talk about all the various versions of the story and tie them into to both the history of musicals, especially satires, and the place of the city of Chicago in American culture. But it didn't quite work for me. His insights here weren't as interesting to me as in the previous books, and some of his discussions of things like satirical musicals in the 1930s felt like digressions or even padding. But maybe I'm just shallow and wanted a lot more Fosse, Verdon, Rivera, and Kander & Ebb dishing! (there's a little, but not much).

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chicago is a 1975 Broadway production based on a play, also called Chicago, that was written by Maurine Dallas Watkins. Watkins reported on criminals for the Chicago Tribune. She reported on several female criminals, for which she based the characters of her play on. The production was widely successful, eventually becoming a film that featured some A list casting. Renee Zellweger played Roxie Hart. Catherine Zeta Jones played Velma Kelly. Richard Gere played Billy Flynn, a lawyer. I personally love that movie, so this book was especially interesting to me. I really enjoyed learning about the original Broadway production and the people behind the characters. I also enjoyed that this was available on Audible Plus!

[Greg Kerestan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most thorough examinations of both a musical and the greater cultural milieu that created it, Ethan Mordden's "All That Jazz" analyzes and deconstructs not only the musical "Chicago" but the play and multiple movie versions it was based on, as well as real events in Chicago and United States history that made such a show possible. This goes beyond just a theatrical interests book; fans of film history and "weird Americana" like "The Devil in the White City" will find much to enjoy here.

[Jaellayna Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much more than I set out to - wow, what a wealth of information in it! I originally thought this would be a making-of book (specifically about the making of the film "Chicago") and ironically that is almost a footnote in the book, an after thought. But with so much more in it, I found it an informative, enjoyable read. I especially like the emphasis on the evolution of the story through place and time.

[Nicole Palumbo Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never thought much about the Chicago (city) in Chicago (musical). Frankly, I don't care much about the Chicago in Chicago. I was in it for the show-biz. When he finally gets to the musical, Mordden does not hold back his opinions, and analyzes freely. Though there are many examples of Fosse's assholery during the making of the show, I would have enjoyed more behind the scenes info, especially for the movie.

[John Kenrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mordden at his best

With total command of the historic details and his trademark wit, Ethan Mordden offers a thorough and insightful discussion of Chicago's evolution from play to movie to musical and beyond. Anyone who loves this musical is likely to enjoy this book - as one who has seen the original Broadway production as well as the revival and the acclaimed film version, I loved this book.

[Johan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended for everyone who has ever been wowed by Chicago, the author delves deep into what made this such an exceptional hit. What made it even more poignant to to me, was having seen the original Fosse Broadway production and forty years on it remains a vivid memory.

[Eric Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a big fan of Mordden's most of my life, but I'm not sure who the audience for this book is except for hardcore theater fans and people who might actually be involved at some point in a production of "Chicago". (I am both)

[Abby P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to audio version, not read by author. Narrator acted out voices every so often which I wasn’t a fan of.

Content however was enjoyable. Author delved into history of the city of Chicago, musicals in general, and obviously, the play/musical/movie Chicago. Fans of Broadway will enjoy.

[Sal · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun read about the play's history and how it evolved... Razzle -Dazzle indeed

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great history of the show Chicago from original script to a few different films, to the musical. Ethan Mordden write great histories that are filled with information and easy to read.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mordden has written what must be considered the text about the key text 'Chicago', thanks to his comprehensive coverage of not just the Kander/Ebb/Fosse musical, but the entire popular culture representations of the jazz age murder story set in the Windy City. Thanks to the author's deep dive into the historical, cultural, social and political constructs of each emanation of the story, plus some perceptive commentary on how Chicago (both text and location) is in effect the USA in a microcosm, one comes away from this book with a more meaningful understanding of what this iconic tale represents.

If Mordden was to stick to just the Broadway musical's production, performance and permutation as a movie there is no doubt that this book would've been less beefy in content and less important as a critical study. Instead, 'All That Jazz...' is an engaging and informative study that gathers up on the way silent films, musical traditions, corruption and celebrity in US culture and the dynamic of numerous artists engaged in (re)creating Roxie Hart's story. For example, as part of the consideration of the Cecil B De Mille silent movie Mordden introduces some new and intriguing narratives about the epic film maker's earlier trajectory. The far more moral interpretation of the original play by Maurine Dallas Watkins is definietly a departure from the latter movie oeuvre that De Mille was responsible for.

That Mordden also allows Watkins' original role in creating the 'myth' of 'Chicago' is also to be commended. 'All That Jazz' tells much about how the unique social conditions of 1920s prohibition America and a strident female playwright's voice created such a trenchant drama. There are plenty of other landmarks in American fiction, both in prose and in drama, however few have the longevity or sheer entertainment value as does Watkin's seminal work. Mordden does a grand job in reasserting the prototype of all that came afterwards.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of this book is that having read it one is far more interested in trying to engage with the works Mordden speaks of. I will admit i had to re-watch the Oscar winning film again, and tried to scout out more material about preceding interpretations. Mordden helps one in this pursuit by supplying copious notes and citations in his bibliography.

All up, this is an impressive and highly readable study of a fascinating story from America's jazz age. 'All That Jazz' will be a compelling read for anyone interested in musical theatre history or American popular culture.