Broadway smash 'Chicago' returns to Beijing

In 2004, Broadway's trademark musical production, Chicago, was staged at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

As the third Broadway musical that landed the capital after Cats and The Sound of Music, tickets for Chicago sold out in three days.

Fourteen years on, and the play is set to return to Beijing, this time being staged at Tianqiao Performing Arts Center with 22 performances taking place between Nov 1 and 18.

The current production won a coveted Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, and has become the longest staged musical on Broadway. Originally opening in 1975 at the 46th Street Theatre, Chicago, written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, ran for nearly 1,000 performances until 1977.

The film version of the play received 13 Oscar nominations and walked away with six awards.

According to David Ian, the producer of Chicago, the company has toured New Zealand for more than half a year before coming to China.

Besides Beijing, the musical will tour Xiamen, Guangzhou and Shanghai.