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Chicago
Paperback
ISBN13: 9781025546896
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 130
Weight: 0.42
Height: 0.28 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Chicago is a sharp, satirical play that defines the cynicism and spectacle of the American Jazz Age. Written by former journalist Maurine Watkins, the work offers a scathing critique of the 1920s legal system and the media's obsession with celebrity criminals. The story centers on Roxie Hart, a woman who kills her lover and uses the resulting tabloid frenzy to propel herself to fame, aided by the slick maneuvers of her attorney and the competitive rivalry of fellow murderess Velma Kelly.
Set against the backdrop of a city defined by corruption, prohibition, and jazz, the play explores themes of manipulation, public perception, and the commodification of scandal. Watkins's razor-sharp dialogue and cynical outlook provide a vivid portrait of a society where morality is secondary to a good headline. A foundational piece of American drama, Chicago remains a powerful commentary on the intersection of crime and entertainment, famously serving as the primary inspiration for the world-renowned musical of the same name.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
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