Fountain Hills Theater starts its 2017/2018 season with a bang with the legendary Broadway hit Chicago.

The show opens Sept. 1 and continues through Sept. 17.

The instant that housewife Roxie Hart realized her erstwhile lover had no intention of helping her to vaudeville stardom, “He had it Comin’” when she shot his sorry self.

And thus, Chicago, the musical tale that has it all, love, deception, intrigue, and the lust for fame and fortune bursts on the stage at The Fountain Hills Theater. The longest-running show in the history of Broadway theater has been honored with six Tony Awards, and a Grammy, as well as six Academy Awards (including Best Picture in 2002) and three Golden Globes.

Through the sassy score by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, murderesses Velma Kelly, a bona fide cabaret star and Roxie Hart, a stage-struck dreamer, vie for the attention of their celebrity lawyer, Billy Flynn. Through Billy’s legendary “Razzle Dazzle” and coaching by their nurturing but corrupt prison matron, Mama Morton, they manipulate public opinion and avoid the gallows.

Woven throughout the jazz-paced plot is the plodding journey of Roxie’s loyal and loving husband, Amos. Whipsawed by Billy and the press and discarded without a thought by Roxie, his poignant rendition of the “Mister Cellophane,” song and dance number is a show-stopping triumph.

The back stories of the women prisoners told in song and dance via the “Cell Block Tango” is evocative of Bob Fosse’s influence as original choreographer and co-author with Fred Ebb of the book, Chicago. Fountain Hills Theater Artistic Director Peter J. Hill and choreographer by Noel Irick take it one notch higher, using the intimate venue of Fountain Hills Mainstage Theater to weave the audience into the story. Flapper fringe and fedoras--- flash bulbs and sensational press renditions---the audience will be brought to their feet by this totally American musical theater experience, and “All that Jazz.”

Chicago is produced by Alex Gonzalez, directed by FHT’s Artistic Director Peter J. Hill, musically directed by Jennifer Whiting and choreographed by Noel Irick. It stars Lisa Barnes, Summer Beckman, Scot Clause, Victoria Fairclough, Riley Johnson, Haylee Klein, Estee Oglesbee, Morgan Otterbach, Patrick Russo, Anna Sell, Gina Tomkis, JT Turner, Michael Paul Wallot and Eric Williams.

Shows are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $35 for adults and $28 for youth 17 and younger. Call 480-837-9661, ext. 3, or visit fhtaz.org to buy tickets.

Discounts and special offers are available.