As the OVERTURE ends, the audience is introduced to Velma Kelly, a vaudevillian star who shot the other half of her sister act when she caught her husband with her sister. Velma invites us to sample ALL THAT JAZZ while showing us the story of chorus girl Roxie Hart’s cold-blooded murder of nightclub regular Fred Casely. Roxie convinces her husband Amos that the victim was a burglar, and he cheerfully takes the rap.

Roxie expresses her appreciation to her FUNNY HONEY until the police reveal the burglar’s identity to Amos. When he realises that Roxie was having an affair with Fred, Amos decides to let her fend for herself. Roxie’s first taste of the criminal justice system is the women’s block in Cook County Jail, which is inhabited by Velma and several other merry murderesses (CELL BLOCK TANGO). The women’s jail is presided over by Matron “Mama” Morton whose system of mutual aid perfectly suits her clientele (WHEN YOU’RE GOOD TO MAMA). She has helped Velma become the media’s top murderer-of-the-week and is acting as booking agent for Velma’s big return to vaudeville after her acquittal.

Velma is not happy to see Roxie, who is stealing not only her limelight but also her lawyer, Billy Flynn. Eagerly awaited by his clientele, Billy arrives singing his anthem: “ALL I CARE ABOUT IS LOVE”. Billy takes Roxie’s case and re-arranges her story for consumption by Mary Sunshine, a sympathetic tabloid columnist who always tries to find A LITTLE BIT OF GOOD in everyone. Roxie’s press conference turns into a ventriloquist act with Billy dictating a new version of the truth while Roxie mouths the words (WE BOTH REACHED FOR THE GUN).

Roxie becomes the toast of Chicago and Velma’s headlines, trial date and career are left in the dust (ROXIE). Velma tries to talk Roxie into recreating the sister act (I CAN’T DO IT ALONE) but Roxie turns her down, only to find her own headlines replaced by yet another sordid crime of passion. Separately, Roxie and Velma realize there is no one that they can count on but themselves (MY OWN BEST FRIEND), and the ever-resourceful Roxie decides that being pregnant in prison would put her back on the front page.

Back after the ENTR’ACTE, Velma cannot believe Roxie’s continuous run of luck (I KNOW A GIRL) despite Roxie’s obvious falsehoods (ME AND MY BABY). A little shy on the arithmetic, Amos proudly claims paternity. Nobody notices him (MISTER CELLOPHANE). Velma desperately tries to show Billy all the tricks she has planned for her trial (WHEN VELMA TAKES THE STAND). Billy’s forte may be showmanship (RAZZLE DAZZLE), but when he passes all Velma’s ideas on to Roxie, down to the rhinestone shoe buckles, Mama and Velma lament the demise of CLASS. As promised, Billy gets Roxie her acquittal. As the verdict is given, an even more sensational crime pulls the pack of press bloodhounds away and Roxie’s fleeting celebrity is over. Left in the dust, she pulls herself up and extols the joys of life NOWADAYS. She teams up with Velma in that sister act and they dance their little hearts out (HOT HONEY RAG), after which they are joined by the entire company for the grand FINALE.

Velma Kelly -Alto (E3-D5) A vaudville performer who is accused of murdering her sister and husband. Hardened by fame, she cares for no one but herself and her attempt to get away with murder. Aged 25 – 40.

Roxie Hart - Mezzo-Soprano (F3-B4) Reads and keeps up with murder trials in Chicago, and follows suit by murdering her lover, Fred Casely. She stops at nothing to render a media storm with one goal: to get away with it. Aged 20 – 30.

Amos Hart - Baritone (C3-F#4) Roxie’s faithful husband. Lies for her and tries to take the blame until he realizes that he has been two-timed by Roxie. Still in love with her, or misguided, he believes anything she says in her pursuit to get out of jail. Aged 30 – 50.

Liz - Alto (A3-C#5) Prisoner at Cook County Jail. She is imprisoned after shooting two warning shots into her husband’s head. Aged: 18-45.

Annie - Alto (A3-C#5) Prisoner at the Cook County Jail. Murder’s her lover after finding out he already has six wives. “One of those Mormons, ya’ know.” Aged: 18-45.

June - Alto (A3-C#5) Prisoner at Cook County Jail. After her husband accuses her of screwing the milk man, he mysteriously runs into her knife ten times. Aged: 18-45.

Hunyak- Non-singing Hungarian Prisoner at Cook County Jail. The only English she speaks is the phase, “Not Guilty.” Which follows her to her grave. Aged: 25-45.

Mona- Alto (A3-C#5) Prisoner at Cook County Jail. Murders her lover after he has a round of affairs with other woman, and an occasional man. I guess you could say it was “artistic differences.” Aged: 18-45.

Matron “Mama” Morton - Alto (F#3-B♭4) Leader of the prisoners of Cook County Jail. The total essence of corruption. Accepts bribes for favors from laundry service to making calls to lawyers. “When you’re good to Moma, Moma’s good to you.” Aged: 30-50.

Billy Flynn - Baritone (B♭2-G4) Established lawyer who hasn’t lost a woman’s case yet. Master of media manipulation who will get a girl off the hook as long as she can fork up the hefty $5,000 fee. Aged: 35-50.

Mary Sunshine -Soprano (B♭3-B♭5)Sob sister reporter from the Evening Star. Believes there is a little bit of good in everyone and will believe anything she is fed that matches her beliefs. Aged: 55-54.

Go-to-Hell Kitty - Alto (A3-C#5) Steals the spotlight when she Murders her husband along with three other woman. Her crimes are labeled “Lake Shore Drive Massacre.” Aged: 21-40.

Fred Casely- Ensemble Roxie’s short lived lover. Murdered for trying to leave Roxie. Aged 30 – 50.

Sergeant Fogarty -Ensemble Assigned to Roxie’s case. After asking the right questions, he manages to get Roxie to confess. Aged 35 – 55.

Martin Harrison - Ensemble Doubles as the Master of Ceremonies at times. Aged: 35-55.

Harry - Ensemble Murdered by Go-To-Hell Kitty for sleeping around with three women behind her back.

Aaron - Ensemble Court appointed lawyer for Hunyak. He tries to get her to confess to speed along the trial.

Judge - Ensemble Judge overseeing Roxie’s Trial. Aged: 40-65.

Court Clerk - Ensemble Swears people in with their hand on the bible. “Blah, Blah, Truth, Truth. Selp-you God.”