Theatre program’s upcoming musical production is ‘Chicago’ by John Kander and Fred Ebb

Theatre program's upcoming musical production is 'Chicago' by John Kander and Fred Ebb

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The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance has announced that the theatre arts program's spring 2024 production is the Broadway musical "Chicago." Performances will be held Thursday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Casino Theatre.

All members of the Salve Regina community, as well as the general public, are invited to attend. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for Salve Regina faculty, staff and seniors; $5 for children 12 and under; and free for Salve Regina students with an ID. To purchase tickets, go here.

The makings of Chicago

"Chicago" was composed by John Kander and Fred Ebb, a popular musical theater lyricist and composer duo who have written well-known musicals such as "Cabaret," "The Scottsboro Boys" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

In conversation with Kander and Ebb's score, the show was popularized by the choreography of Bob Fosse, credited for much of Broadway's most infamous choreography and known for his turned-in lines and isolations.

Kander and Ebb based their musical on Maurine Dallas Watkins' play of the same name. Watkins was a journalist in Chicago in the 1920s who researched and wrote about the women whose stories are highlighted in the show. The musical tells these stories through Vaudeville and Burlesque formats to further emphasize women's use of theatrical style to find empowering careers at the time.

Their true stories will be on display in the Casino Theatre. Specific stories to be highlighted include the lives of Belva Gaertner and Beaulah Annan, the women who inspired the "Chicago" characters Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart.

Salve's production will pull heavily from the historically inspired stories of the 1920s women of Chicago and their use of violence to defend themselves in domestically abusive situations when the law would not step in for them.

"It's not average Chicago," said Reed Duncan '25, a double major in dance and theatre arts who plays Velma. "But I think our take will open audiences' eyes to the real stories of the women the show is truly about."

Themes that transcend borders and time

The Casino Theatre's historic architecture, coupled with its storied past, parallels the themes found in "Chicago."

"It's exciting to do this show in the Casino Theatre," said Dr. Tara Brooke Watkins, assistant professor and director of the production. "It was originally a Vaudeville-style building, and we are leaning into that with this production."

Amidst its Vaudeville similarities, Watkins underscores a darker narrative - drawing attention to the troubling history of the theater's architect, Stanford White, whose own actions add a layer of complexity to the space.

"Stanford White was the Jeffrey Epstein of his day and preyed upon Vaudeville actresses," Watkins explained. "I can't change the history or the space, but I can try to tell stories that explain more of the complexity of why women felt they had no recourse but murder in some situations. Stanford White himself was murdered for the same reasons."

And all that jazz … dance

Dance will be at the forefront of this year's musical, with Fosse-style choreography by Jade Genga, which will be used to emphasize the Vaudeville-style music driving the narrative of "Chicago."

"Dancing is an essential part of the storytelling in 'Chicago,' and practicing Fosse-style movement has helped me improve as a dancer and an actor," said cast member Sydney Rooney '26, an English communications major with minors in theatre arts and film.

Mastering the intricate and nuanced movements of Fosse-style dance can pose a challenge due to its precise articulation, stylistic subtleties and demanding emphasis on control and timing.

"It is sometimes difficult. I definitely am exhausted after rehearsal, but it has been excitingly challenging," said cast member Isabella Canevari '25, a psychology and theatre arts double major.

Canevari is grateful to the upcoming "Chicago" production, as it has fostered her passion for dance and allowed her to hone in on difficult techniques. "I love dancing and I have not always had a lot of opportunities to dance," she said. "'Chicago' has allowed me to tap into that love again and grow my skills."

To buy tickets for the different showtimes, go here.