BRANDON — Otter Valley Union High School’s Walking Stick Theater will perform Bob Fosse’s iconic musical “Chicago” at the Brandon school on Nov. 20-23. Performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday begin at 7 p.m., while Sunday’s matinee begins at 2:30 p.m.
The original Broadway production opened in 1975 and became one of the longest running shows in Broadway history.
The musical is set in Chicago in the 1920s and follows the story of Roxie Hart, a young Hollywood wannabe who’s arrested for killing her lover. The press goes into a frenzy covering her arrest and trial. This musical has some mild language and may not be appropriate for children under 12.
The story is based on real events that happened in Chicago in 1924, but the musical is definitely a satire on the concept of the celebrity criminal and corruption in the criminal justice system.
Jeffrey Hull, theater director at OV, admits it’s an edgy and sometimes risky show for high school students to perform. But, he said, this year he has the right cast to handle the subject matter, brash songs and flashy choreography.
Hull said audiences will no doubt recognize “All That Jazz,” one of the signature hits of the production, and enjoy the many dance numbers. He added that their stylish yet minimalistic staging and sets focus attention on the cast and story line, and he’s excited to see the crowd’s reaction.
Tickets for “Chicago” cost $10 for adults and $8 for students at the door. They’ll be sold in advance at Carr’s Florist in Brandon for $8 for all patrons. Get tickets early as performances do tend to sell out.
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