John Kander and Fred Ebb's 1975 musical Chicago has become a cultural landmark, revived repeatedly on Broadway and adapted into the Oscar-winning 2002 film. Kander's jazzy orchestrations paired with Ebb's sharp, cynical lyrics created a score that captures the decadence and moral ambiguity of 1920s Chicago. Both composers understood how to write music that serves the story while remaining utterly entertaining on its own terms.
Kander, in particular, brought a sophisticated harmonic language to musical theater. His ability to blend classical training with popular idioms made Chicago accessible to broad audiences without sacrificing musical substance. That balance is why the score endures: it's both a populist entertainment and a genuinely well-crafted piece of music.
