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Tri-State Theater

Let's discuss upcoming shows, secrets behind the scenes, things you never knew about the theater and why live theater is so darn entertaining.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

On Stage This Weekend: "Chicago"



   Coming up this weekend, the Charleston Light Opera Guild will present the hit Broadway musical Chicago. 

   It's a terrific show, which should be obvious, since it's one of the all-time longest-running musicals on Broadway. It has great songs, terrific dance numbers, lots of comedy and powerful dialogue. It's not really a show for little ones - there are some adult themes on display - but the grownups will love it.

   For those who haven't seen it, here's some information about the show (but take it from me - you don't want to miss this one):

   Toni Pilato and Katlin Kouns will star as Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart when the Charleston Light Opera Guild presents Chicago, the Musical the first two weekends in August.  Michael Gore will play the role of Billy Flynn, Kristen Pennington is Matron "Mama" Morton, Tim Whitener is Amos Hart, T.R. Brightwell is Mary Sunshine, Stephen Hayward is Fred Casely.  The merry murderesses include Dayja Legg as Liz, Lauren Meyer as Annie, Megan Sydnor as June, Allison Whitener as Hunyak, Leslie Raab as Mona.  The ensemble of characters and dancers includes Bob McCarty, Steve Brannon, Haley Burgess, Bryan Chin, Trey Harris, Kiara Moore, Jessica Northup, Angela Price, Frannie Slotnick, Nick Staples and Kevin Swafford and Beth Fellure as Go-to-Hell Kitty.

   Nina Denton Pasinetti is the director / choreographer; Bobby Hodges, Jr. is musical director and Mark Parsons is accompanist.

   Chicago is the longest running American musical in Broadway history and is the third longest running show in Broadway history. The revival, still currently playing on Broadway, holds the record for the longest running musical revival. Chicago begins with a statuesque dancer's declaration that the evening promises "murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery – all those things we hold dear to our hearts." The creators, John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse never back off from that sinister yet entertaining promise.

   Set in prohibition-era Chicago, the musical is based on a 1926 play of the same name by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual criminals and crimes she reported on. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal."

   This is a kiss-and-tell tale of Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who kills her lover as a career move; Billy Flynn, a suave, manipulative, sharp attorney who turns Roxie into a celebrity; Velma Kelly, a dancing jailbird with an ear for headlines and an eye for talent; Matron "Mama" Morton, a tough, sassy warden of the Cook County Jail; Amos Hart, an auto mechanic and hapless husband of Roxie; and Mary Sunshine, a sappy tabloid columnist.

Where: Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre
When: Aug. 2, 3, 9 and 10, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
            Sunday matinees Aug. 4 and 11 at 3 p.m.
Tickets: All seats are reserved at $20
              Box Office Opens Monday July 29, 2013
              Box Office Hours ~ Monday to Saturday ~ 9:30 a.m. til 4:30 p.m.
              Call 304-343-2287

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