One of Broadway’s longest-running American musicals, Chicago is a dazzling and satirical look at fame, justice, corruption, and the media machine during the prohibition era. Set in the 1920s during a time of flappers, gangsters, mob crimes, and economic upheaval, Chicago is one of the more beloved musicals for theater groups across the nation. With more than eleven unique backdrop options for this popular show, Backdrops by Charles H. Stewart has you covered in terms of setting the mood and scene for this time period and plotline.
A Little Background on Chicago the Musical
Picture Chicago in the 1920s, during a time of prohibition and speakeasies in basements across the city run by mob bosses and gangsters. Based on a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse and music by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago takes the audience into a time when the scales of justice were being questioned.
Specifically, Chicago follows the story of Roxie Hart, a wannabe vaudevillian star who murders her lover and is arrested, despite her attempts to convince her pushover husband, Amos, to lie for her.
During her time in jail, she meets and becomes acquainted with her hero, the famed double murderess and nightclub performer Velma Kelly. When both women acquire the same lawyer, the greedy and lustful superstar, Billy Flynn, tensions come to a head as they vie for the spotlight. This time instead of finding the attention onstage, they’re mugging for the flashbulb of the newspaper reporters.
Even though Flynn ultimately frees the women, another woman shoots up the courthouse and steals the limelight. This effectively ends the careers of both Roxie and Velma.
Backdrop Options for Chicago
Since the main setting is the city of Chicago, cityscapes and skylines are entirely appropriate for this amazing music to come to life.
City Backdrops
Our New York at Night Backdrop #1512 provides a stylized city skyline with a black sky and white city lights.
If you desire a slightly different style, try one of our other city scapes such as this Cityscape Backdrop #2419, which provides a black and white backdrop of city buildings.
Police Station
During scenes where Roxie Hart is arrested and booked for murder, a police station backdrop would help set the mood of this moment on stage. This Police Station Backdrop #0272 shows the interior of the police station showing jail cells, file cabinets, and the police chief’s office.
Courtroom and Courthouse
In the final dramatic scenes of Chicago, the talented Mr. Flynn gets the women acquitted of their crimes in a fiery end with gunfire in the courtroom. This Courtroom Interior Cut Backdrop #0590 shows a wood panel interior with a center cut opening and two large, Corinthian columns.
Visit our site to see a full listing and images of our Chicago backdrops as well as backdrops from many popular shows.