Perseverance Theatre Stages Alaskan Premiere of CHICAGO, Now thru 12/7

Perseverance Theatre (PT) presents the smash hit Chicago with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Chicago is based off of the Maurin Dallas Watkins play, Chicago. Chicago runs on the Perseverance Theatre Mainstage tonight, November 7 - December 7, 2014.

Tickets are available through Hearth Side Books, the JACC, online at perseverancetheatre.org or by calling 907-463-TIXS (8497). There are two Pay-As-You-Can Previews on Sunday, November 2 at 4:00 pm and Wednesday, November 5 at 7:30 pm. and two Pay-As-You-Can Performances on Sunday, November 9 at 4:00 pm and Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 pm.

Chicago is the longest running American musical on Broadway (and still running!). Winner of every award available, Chicago is, arguably, the greatest jazz and dance musical of all time! It's the 1920s, prohibition is in full swing, and the world is full of dance hall girls, outlaws, and all that jazz! It's a story of fame, fortune, and murder! Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly are accused of murder, and in the hands of their lawyer Billy Flynn, they might not only get away with it, but they may even become famous for it! With one show-stopping song after the next, Chicago is sure to razzle dazzle this fall!

Directed by Shona Strauser (director of Oklahoma!) and Choreographed by Ricci Adan (choreographer of Oklahoma!), Chicago features set design and costume design by Paul Spadone, lighting design by Greg Mitchell and audio design by Betsy Simms. Chicago also features music direction by Rob Cohen.

Kander and Ebb were a highly successful songwriting team consisting of composer John Kander (born March 18, 1927) and lyricist Fred Ebb (April 8, 1928 - September 11, 2004). Known primarily for their stage musicals, Kander and Ebb also scored several movies including their most famous song, the theme song from Martin Scorsese's New York, New York. Recorded by many artists, New York, New York became a signature song for Frank Sinatra. The team also became associated with two actresses, Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera, for whom they wrote a considerable amount of material for the stage, concerts and television.

Robert Louis "Bob" Fosse (June 23, 1927 - September 23, 1987) was an American actor, dancer, musical theatre choreographer, director, screenwriter, film editor and film director. He won an unprecedented eight Tony Awards for choreography, as well as one for direction. He was nominated for an Academy Award four times, winning for his direction of Cabaret (beating Francis Ford Coppola for The Godfather).

Artistic Company Lead Enrique Bravo (A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Seminar) returns to the Perseverance Theatre Mainstage to play Billy Flynn, Mr. Bravo was last seen as Spike, in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike as a part of PT's Summerfest. Guest artist Charity Haskins comes all the way from North Carolina to play Roxy Hart, Allison Holtkamp (God of Carnage, Oklahoma!) plays the manipulating murderess Velma Kelly, Frank Katasse plays the downtrodden Amos Hart, The Matron a.k.a. Mama is played by Juneau favorite Collette Costa. Jessica Skiba plays Liz, Taylor Vidic plays Annie, Jeanne Murray plays Hunyak and Salissa Thole portrays Mona. Richard Carter plays Mary Sunshine, guest artist Keith McCoy (A Raisin in the Sun) returns to Juneau to play Master of Ceremonies/Fred Casely and Olivia Shrum plays Go-To-Hell Kitty. The chorus is made up of local talent Hali Duran, Koko Urata, Meredith Wallis, Zebadiah Bodine, Mikaela Levy, Jeff Hedges, Carraig New, Aaron Abella and Alexandra Brown.

Rob Cohen plays piano and leads a talented group of six musicians to make up the band for Chicago. Dale McFarliln is on percussions, trombone is played by Katy Giorgio, Reed instruments are played by Gerald "JD" Tolman and Doug Bridges, trumpet is played by Greg Williams.

The artistic team includes: Director: Shona Strauser; Choreographer: Ricci Adan; Set/Costume Design: Paul Spadone; Music Director: Rob Cohen; Lighting Design: Greg Mitchell; Audio Design: Betsy Sims; Props Master: Kathleen Harper; and Stage Managers BJ Brooks and Chris Schweiger.

All performances run at the Perseverance Theatre (Mainstage), located in Douglas, Alaska at 914 Third Street, playing November 7 to December 7 (Opening night: November 7 at 7:30 pm). Performance times: Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 4 pm. There will be two Pay-As-You-Can Previews on Sunday, November 2 at 4 pm and Wednesday, November 5 at 7:30 pm. Additional Pay-As-You-Can-Performances on Sunday, November 9 at 4:00 pm and Thursday, November 14 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets to Chicago are now on sale and range from $16 to $35. Discounted tickets for groups of ten or more may be purchased by calling 907-463-TIXS (8497). For ticket reservations, call the Perseverance Theatre Box Office at 907-463-TIXS (8497), go online at www.ptalaska.org or pick them up at Hearthside Books, Rainy Retreat Books, or at the JACC.

Perseverance Theatre was founded in 1979 in Juneau. Thirty-four years later, we've grown into a leading professional theatre in Alaska, recognized both statewide and nationally for our programming, training and development that's reflective of the Alaskan community, including 65 world premieres of plays by Alaskan and national playwrights. Perseverance Theatre's mission is to create professional theatre by and for Alaskans. We value community engagement, professional rigor, and regional voice. This year, Perseverance launches its third season as a statewide institution, performing in Anchorage at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Find more information on Perseverance Theatre at www.perseverancetheatre.org. You can also follow Perseverance Theatre at facebook.com/PerseveranceTheatre and Twitter.com/PersevTheatreAK.

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