For the first time in Azerbaijan, the world-famous Broadway musical “Chicago” will be performed entirely in English – and without a backing track.
The premiere is set for October 29, marking a milestone for the country’s musical theatre scene, Media.Az informs.
Actress and singer Dilara Kazimova, who plays Velma Kelly, described the production as one of the most demanding yet rewarding projects of her career.
“This is the first time I’m singing, dancing, and acting all at once,” Kazimova said. “We’ve been rehearsing four times a week since August. We set a high bar for ourselves – we decided to perform completely live, with no phonogram. It’s both exciting and terrifying.”
The singer, who represented Azerbaijan at Eurovision, admitted that stage nerves never truly go away.
“Even if there’s just one person in the audience, I’ll still be nervous. Every stage gives me that same rush,” she said with a smile.
A Broadway-Scale Project in Baku
Actor Orkhan Agayev, who portrays Billy Flynn, emphasized the project’s unprecedented scope for Azerbaijan.
“This is the first musical of such scale ever staged here – and in English. When I lived in New York, I once saw ‘Chicago’ on Broadway and thought, ‘We have to bring this to Baku.’ Together with [Baku Jazz Festival director] Leyla Efendiyeva, we decided to make it happen. Now we’re even considering touring the show across the country and abroad,” Agayev said.
“We’re Not Falling Behind Broadway”
Actress Ulviya Rahimova, who plays Mama Morton, said she immediately connected with her character.
“This role fits me perfectly – I adore her style, her strength, her costume. I saw ‘Chicago’ in New York, and I can honestly say our production is not far behind the American version. We’re giving it everything we’ve got,” Rahimova noted.
The local production, blending live jazz, choreography, and English dialogue, has already sparked strong public interest. For Baku’s theatre scene, it’s not just a performance – it’s a declaration of artistic confidence.
