Chicago tells the story of two murderesses, Roxy Hart and Velma Kelly, in 1920s Chicago. Roxy kills her lover and is sent to jail, where she meets Velma. The two become a vaudeville act to try to gain fame and get out of jail. Their lawyer, Billy Flynn, uses the press and puts on a show trial to manipulate public opinion in their favor. The musical comments on corruption and the exploitation of show business, using the city of Chicago as a metaphor.