Chicago
You can visit The Windy City and Al Capone’s old stomping ground right here in Pawtucket, where murderous wives of the Depression-era invite you to paint the town and all that jazz in the Community Players dazzling production of Fosse, Kander and Ebb’s legendary Broadway musical, Chicago.
A Best Picture Oscar winner in 2002, "Chicago" debuted on Broadway in 1975 under Bob Fosse’s direction, was revived in 1996 and can still be seen today in New York at the Ambassador Theatre, where it holds the title as the longest-running revival in Broadway history.
Set at the height of the Jazz Age, it takes place in a prison for women, where its most notorious inmate, Velma Kelly, who is serving time and awaiting trial for killing her husband, is upstaged by new arrival, Roxie Hart, an adulteress accused of shooting her lover in cold blood. The rivalry between these two vixens is further ignited when the warden, Matron Mama Morton, arranges for Velma’s lawyer, Billy Flynn, to represent Roxie, as well. The attorney’s transparent effort to divide his time among Roxie, Velma and the tabloids becomes a veritable circus, and the outcome is hilarious, harmonious and savagely entertaining.
The entire ensemble is a remarkable hotbed of talent. The choreography and songs are impressive and the cast masters each production number with seasoned professionalism. The Girls of the show-stopping "Cell Block Tango" and the Boys from the sultry "When Velma Takes The Stand" are especially worthy of mention.
Brian Lamothe’s performance as Roxie’s husband, Amos, earns our sympathy and wins our hearts as the man who stands by his woman. Gregory Bonin displays impeccable enthusiasm as the sincerely shallow Billy Flynn. Dale Magnuson struts her finest stuff as the rough, tough Mama Morton. Both leading ladies, Taryn Mallard-Reid and Jennifer Mischley (Velma and Roxie) convey limitless energy and high-powered voices that would undoubtedly impress upon the original creators of this show.
It would be criminal to miss "Chicago", the latest creation from The Community Players. Just get there while the piano is still hot.
Through April 20 at Jenks Auditorium, 350 Division St., Pawtucket. Call (401)726-6860 or visit www.thecommunityplayers.org for more information.
