When "Chicago" is staged at the Oscarsteatern in Stockholm, Jöback has been handpicked to play the role of lawyer Billy Flynn. The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1975 and is still being performed there, has been staged several times in Sweden and also became a six-time Oscar-winning film in 2002.
For Peter Jöback, this will be his first time playing in a Swedish musical production since he did "The Witches of Eastwick" in 2019.
And he has longed to return:
"I felt like I needed to throw myself into that world again. And it's going to be so fun to do it at the Oscarsteatern, where I've actually never played before," he says.
Missed the theater
When Jöback became a father, he chose not to take on as many theater jobs, for the sake of his family. Now that the children are older, he can more easily explain to them how his work life works.
"I can't take very long jobs abroad because of my family, but I can explain to them that this is part of my life. And I've really missed the theater stage," he says.
He has previously auditioned for the role of Billy Flynn abroad. He auditioned for the Broadway production, but the timing wasn't right.
"They wanted me to go to New York. But it was just when I had a baby, so I chose to go home instead. So now it comes full circle, you could say," he says.
“The Girls’ Performance”
Set during the Prohibition era, “Chicago” is a satire of corruption and celebrity, revolving around women Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly (played by Ellen and Hanna Lindblad), who form an alliance with the cold and cunning lawyer.
"I have a very, very good role. Billy Flynn is a really unpleasant and self-righteous "puppet master." But I think above all the girls will be a success. It is really their performance," he says.
Now he hopes the audience will find and enjoy the new Swedish production.
"Chicago" is one of the best musicals ever written. It's delicious, it's beautiful, it's important. The music is incredible, and it's entertainment of a very high standard.
Sara Haldert/TT
Facts: “Chicago” at the Oscarsteatern:
TT
Authors: Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse (script) and John Kander (music).
Starring: Peter Jöback, Ellen Lindblad, Hanna Lindblad, Ola Forssmed, Laila Adèle and others.
Directed by: Edward af Sillén.
Translation: Calle Norlén.
Premiere: September 10, 2026.
