Photo Flash: First Look at Heather Parcells, Bahiyah Hibah and More in North Shore Music Theatre's CHICAGO

Bill Hanney's award winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) presents the killer hit musical, CHICAGO for two weeks only. CHICAGO began performances last night, September 23 and plays through Sunday, October 5. Press night is scheduled for tonight, September 24 at 7:30 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

"Chicago has been a long-time favorite show of mine with the many show stopping numbers and the sizzling dancing. The show's message about fame and false celebrity could be ripped from today's headlines, so it is hard to believe the original story was written in 1927," said NSMT owner and producer Bill Hanney. "I am very excited to finally have Chicago on our stage, and even more excited to present all new staging of the show created just for North Shore Music Theatre audiences by director/choreographer Nick Kenkel. Audiences know Nick's work from our tremendously fun and memorable production of Legally Blonde in 2011."

Anywhere else murder would be a crime, but in CHICAGO, it is the quickest route to fame. In the acclaimed jazz-age,Bob Fosse musical, murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart compete not just for headlines, but with the help of their slick lawyer Billy Flynn, for a lasting moment in the spotlight.

Based on Maureen Dallas Watkins' 1927 play of the same name, the musical CHICAGO opened on Broadway in 1975 and starred Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera Overshadowed by the runaway success of A Chorus Line, which opened the same year, CHICAGO closed on Broadway after only 898 performances. The 1996 revival of CHICAGO opened to rave reviews, won 6 Tony Awards, and, still running today, is the longest running revival, and third longest running show in Broadway History. CHICAGO features a score by legendary Broadway songwriting team of John Kander andFred Ebb and includes such hit songs as "All That Jazz," "Mr. Cellophane" and "Razzle Dazzle."

North Shore Music Theatre's production of CHICAGO will be led by Heather Parcells as Roxie Hart, Bahiyah Hibah as Velma Kelly, and Sean McDermott as Billy Flynn along side Liz McCartney (Mama Morton), Nick Kohn (Amos Hart), and C. Simmons (Mary Sunshine).

The ensemble will include Sara Andreas (Mona), Sissy Bell (June), Cameron Bruke (Bailiff), Ian Campayno (Harry), Paula Caselton (Go to Hell Kitty), Gaby Gamache (Liz), Michael Graceffa (Clerk), Tripp Hampton (Fogarty, Harrison), Lauralyn McClelland (Hunyak), Tim McGarrigal (Aaron), Elyse Niederee (Annie), Devin L. Roberts (Judge), and Kit Treece (Fred Casely, Doctor)

The creative team for CHICAGO is made up of Nick Kenkel (Director and Choreographer), Dale Rieling (Music Direction), Evan Bartoletti (Scenic Design), Paula Peasley-Ninestein (Costume Designer), Andrew Ostrowski (Lighting Design), Christopher M. Evans (Sound Design), Gerard Kelly (Wig and Hair Designer), John Godbout (Production Stage Manager), Phill Madore (Assistant Stage Manager), Ben Krauss (Assistant Music Director), and Binder Casting(Casting). CHICAGO is produced for North Shore Music Theatre by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Kevin P. Hill (Artistic Director), and Beth Vasta (Associate Producer).

Tickets for the CHICAGO are priced from $50 - $75. Performances are September 23 thru October 5, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. Kids 18 and under save 50% on 'Family Fridays'- September 26 & October 3 at 8 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, MA.

Photo Credit: Paul Lyden

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