Chicago: The iconic and dazzling musical makes a return at the Casino de Paris with Shy'm – extended performances

After attracting over 300,000 theatergoers at Théâtre Mogador in 2018, the French adaptation of the iconic show Chicago is making its grand return to Paris from November 2025 to May 17, 2026 at the Casino de Paris. Don’t miss its winter stint in the capital, featuring singer and dancer Shy'm in the cast, offering a sizzling journey back to the roaring 1920s alongside Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly.

• To be read
• This week's best deals in Paris and Île-de-France, March 30 to April 5, 2026

Chicagoisset in the 1920s and tells the story of Roxie Hart, an artist who dreams of fame. After killing her lover, she ends up in prison where she meets Velma Kelly, a cabaret singer accused of murder. The two women, with the help of the cunning lawyer Billy Flynn, seek to manipulate the press and public opinion to escape their fate and achieve fame.

With six Tony Awards and numerous international awards, it is the most performed American musical in the history of Broadway and the West End since its premiere in 1996. It explores the themes of corruption, media manipulation, and the thirst for fame with humor, all in a jazzy style and energetic musical numbers, with music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb.

The trailer 

Our Take

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. Tonight, you're about to witness a tale of murder, greed, corruption, violence, manipulation, infidelity, and betrayal—things that are all too familiar to our hearts." From the very start, the tone is set! Accompanied by a remarkable brass ensemble that occasionally interacts with the characters, the action unfolds on a minimalist black-bordered stage. The cast plunges us straight into the noir depths of Chicago’s darkest alleys—where lies, treachery, and corruption reign supreme.

Based on a true crime from the 1920s, the musical remains refreshingly current, with a subtle feminist edge. It’s led by Shy'm, delivering a sultry and sharp portrayal of Velma Kelly, alongside Vanessa Cailhol, who embodies the narcissistic yet endearing Roxie Hart. Both murderesses compete for media attention, risking everything to stay in the spotlight, in a showdown that's as hilarious as it is biting.

While I haven't seen the American version, the French translation is meticulous, and the lyrics—both in the songs and dialogue—maintain their sharp wit, infused with dark humor and sometimes colorful language. The show has been modernized to resonate with today’s audience, set against jazzy melodies supported by an irresistibly jazzy atmosphere.

Shy'm—an incredible dancer—and Vanessa Cailhol deliver a glamorous and charismatic duo, their powerful voices blending beautifully. Other standouts include Waku Malanda as Mama Morton—imposing and formidable; Pierre Samuel as Amos Hart—an endearing, self-deprecating husband who’s been cheated on; and Jacques Preiss as Billy Flynn, a charming yet unscrupulous lawyer.

The pace occasionally slows during Roxie’s monologues, but the overall rhythm of the show is exhilarating, with lightning-fast scenes that fly by. This energy is propelled by sensual, meticulously choreographed dance routines—ranging from ballroom to cabaret—performed by dancers in tight-fitting costumes, embodying a show bursting with energy, sexiness, and sophistication—all tinged with sharp cynicism.

While Chicago is sure to delight fans of this unpretentious musical, as well as jazz enthusiasts and the curious alike, it’s best to leave very young children or sensitive audiences at home. The provocative, dark storyline and mature themes deserve to be appreciated in their full complexity.