Chicago Admiration

Celebrities are often described as being in the spotlight (which can be literal) or put on a pedestal (which is usually figurative—unless you're Sofia Vergara being objectified at the Emmy awards in 2014).

The reason for these phrases is the admiration that celebrities receive from society. They seem more important than others. All eyes are on them. But Chicago explores what celebrities have to do as they scale that pedestal, and how many dead bodies they leave in the shadows near the spotlight.

Questions About Admiration

1. Why is Roxie a fan of Velma Kelly? Do you think she admired her before the murder? What changes Roxie's mind about Velma? When does Velma become a fan of Roxie, or does she?
2. What does the public adore about Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly, and the other merry murderesses? Does the public actually admire them, or do they also admonish them? Is it possible to do both?
3. Why is the public's admiration for murderesses so fickle?

Chew on This

Committing a crime to gain fame is like opening a can of Pringles: once Roxie pops (a cap in Fred Casely) she can't stop.

Roxie Hart may be guilty of killing a man, but she isn't guilty of riding that wave to fame. The public is guilty for making the wave.