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One of America’s most famous plays in Broadway history is Chicago- a musical set in the windy city in the early 1920’s. What makes the musical so appealing is that although the events unfolding on stage occurred almost 100 years ago, they feel current with its themes of fame, corruption and the sensationalism of the media, making it a clever satire of celebrity culture, entertainment and our justice system. The audience is captured in the musical’s storyline that seems to be ripped right from the front-page headlines, and that is because it was. The play was inspired and written by Chicago Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins who was assigned to the Cook County Jail’s infamous “Murderess Row.” This is the true sinister criminal history behind America’s beloved musical Chicago.

References:

‘Chicago’: The Real Women of “Murderess Row” and the Woman Who Told Their Story – Broadway in Cincinnati News

Pioneering Tribune women in journalism – Chicago Tribune

A Tribune reporter wrote the hit play ‘Chicago’ after covering Cook County murder trials. Decades later, we owe her an obituary. – Chicago Tribune

Maurine Dallas Watkins

The girls of murder city

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Murder, mayhem and ‘all that jazz’ — the real women who inspired Oscar winner ‘Chicago’ – Chicago Tribune

This Famous Chicago 'Murderess' Didn't Kill Anyone, And New Book Proves It - University Village - Chicago - DNAinfo

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