Firestone Gets Ready For The Ol' Razzle Dazzle with CHICAGO

Firestone Theatre will give it the ol' razzle dazzle as part of the popular musical Chicago. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on April 5, 6, and 7, 2018. A matinee performance will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 8, 2018. Tickets are $10.00 in advance, $13.00 at the door, and $17.00 for reserved, VIP seating. A special preview performance of Chicago will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. All seats for this preview performance cost $10.00. Tickets are available online at BrownPaperTickets.com and by mail-in order form. Tickets will be available at the school between 11 and 1:00 p.m. starting Monday, April 2, 2018. Tickets will also be available at the door on the evening of performance.

This production of Chicago is not recommended for children of all ages.

Chicago is set in the roaring 20s and features the story of two convicted murderesses who eventually join forces in search of the "American Dream": fame, fortune and acquittal. Its book is written by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Music is composed by John Kander. Lyrics are by Fred Ebb. Chicago is based on a play of the same title by Maurine Dallas Watkins.

The cast of Chicago is led by seniors Kate Klika (Roxie Hart), Reyna Grace Moran (Velma Kelley) and Brook Person (Matron "Mama" Morton) as well as seniors Memo Diaz Capt (Billy Flynn) and Charlie Gruhler (Amos Hart) and junior John Kraus (Mary Sunshine). Other featured roles include seniors Gracie Thanasiu (Hunyak), juniors Sarah Craven (Liz), Silas Hackett (Harry), Presley Linn (June), Mary Rohrer (Mona), sophomores Ellis Bryton (Fred Casely), Christian Douglas (judge), Aliyah Evans (Annie), and Jeanne Luster (Go-to-Hell-Kitty). Other members of the cast include juniors Sierra Hamilton, Elek Kitchen, Bryce Lewis, sophomores Morgan Bedilion, Evan Brooks, Briston Glenblocki, Jill Klika, Abigail Lyman, Katlynn Rankins, Annabelle Thorne, and freshmen Lauren Beeson, Hannah Kear, and Aidan McLaughlin

The orchestra is under the direction of Mr. Bernie Williams and is led by seniors Tori Day (Violin), Makayla McGrady (Piccolo), Kenyah Harris (Piccolo), Keith Henderson (Trombone 2), Sierra Hershman (Trumpet 1), Aryn Hubbard (Tuba), Thristen Shields (Percussion), and Ty Zimmer (Reed 3). Other members of the orchestra include juniors Cole Johnson (Reed 1), Alexis Humphfree (Reed 2), Mikayla Kirn (Trumpet 2), Allison Darrah (Bass), sophomores Felicia Goggins (Trombone 1), Olivia Roberts (Keyboard 2), Isaac Smith (Percussion), Brian Randall (Percussion), and freshmen Nathan Trowbridge (Trumpet 2), and Angel Sobolewski (Violin). Guest artist Tom Bonezzi plays the first keyboard part.

Chicago is under the direction of Mark A. Zimmerman. Mr. Chad Pittman serves as music director. Rachel McCann provides the choreography. Bernie Williams is the conductor and instrumental music director. Senior Mary Flesher is designing costumes under the guidance of Firestone alumnae Marissa Jones. Elynmarie Kazle serves as the production manager. Senior Caroline Pali and Zimmerman serve as the lighting designers. Sophomore Ethan Korvne is the sound designer. James Welch serves as the technical director. Sophomore Alexandria Meyer serves as the stage manager. She is assisted by freshmen Cierra Jacobs-Mack and John Welsh.

Firestone Theatre is set to present a one-of-kind puppet show called "Me, Myself, and Joey." This show features a cast of characters sure to entertain and educate presented by local ventriloquist David Weyrick. This special event will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. All single tickets are $7.00. Tickets for groups of 25 or more are $5.00 if purchased before April 6, 2018. They are $6.00 for groups less than 25 if purchased before April 6, 2018. All tickets are $7.00 if purchased after April 6, 2018. Tickets can be purchased with a mail-in order form, online at BrownPaperTickets.com, and at the door. The mail-in order form can be downloaded at FirestoneTheatre.com.

Firestone Theatre is the award-winning play-production component of the Akron School for the Arts housed at Firestone High School. Firestone Theatre was named an "Outstanding School" by the Educational Theatre Association in 2013. The curricular track of Firestone Theatre is accessible to all rising ninth-grade students via open enrollment and a formal audition.

 

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