The Evergreen Chorale Heads to the Cell Block in CHICAGO Tonight
By: BWW News Desk Sep. 11, 2015
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $24 Adults; $20 seniors (62+)/Students, $16 children, $19 groups of 10 or more and available by phone 303-674-4002 or online at www.evergreenchorale.org.
The number one longest-running American musical on Broadway, CHICAGO relays the stories of Roxie and Velma, two murderesses on death row in 1920s Chicago, the press and public's fascination with their stories, and their lawyer's attempts to keep them in the limelight in hopes of winning their freedom. Set to the music of John Kander, lyrics of Fred Ebb and choreography of Bob Fosse, this show has been a winner ever since it debuted in 1975. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal" still relevant today.
The cast includes Rebecca Sides as Roxie, Colleen Lee as Velma, Adam Shelton as Billy, David Kelly as Amos, Onna Poeter as Mama and Evan Glaser as Mary Sunshine, as well as a talented group of actors and dancers from the foothills and the greater Denver area. Director Tim Kennedy is approaching the production from a historical perspective painting a picture of post-World War I loss of values, the effects of prohibition and the corruption of the legal system, as well as modeling the main characters after their real life counter parts, Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner.
"I am thrilled to say that the audiences that attend our production will experience the top notch music and choreography that has become an important part of the heritage of Chicago. In addition to that, our goal with this production was to go one step forward and truly showcase the issues addressed in this brilliant musical of celebrity, fame, greed, corruption, voyeurism, and social injustice. These issues impacted 1920's society heavily, but they are just as relevant in today's society - and I believe this is what has kept this masterpiece of the musical theater genre alive and popular for so many years. As we have analyzed this piece, we have delved into a world that although on the outside looks glittery and sexy; on the inside it is tattered and held together by a thin strand of greed and corruption, ready to break at any moment. We have explored characters looking for love, acceptance, and validation in all of the wrong places. At the same time, we have seen ourselves and our society in these characters. And we are forced to ask ourselves - can we sit on the outside and judge these people for their immoral and poor choices, or do we have to look in the mirror as a society and admit that their stories are not as far from the truth as we would like to say they are?" - Timothy Kennedy, director
The production is costumed period style by the talented Davis Sibley with a 1920s Cotton Club set by Biz Shaugaard and lighting design by Cassidy Calkins. This is the second show Mr. Kennedy is directing for the Chorale and the second time teaming with choreographer Rachael Lessard. Chorale Artistic Director Christine Gaudreau is directing the music with jazz pianist Patrick Lee leading the band, Chicago style - from the stage.
The Evergreen Chorale is pleased to have two special partners for this production: PeaceWorks Inc. and Scripps Taylor & Associates. PeaceWorks is the only provider of services and shelter for victims of domestic violence in a 2,700 square mile area which includes the mountain area of Jefferson County and Park County. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and PeaceWorks will have volunteers at our performances to share information about the important work they are doing in our community. The Chorale will donate a portion of ticket sales to support PeaceWorks. Scripps, Taylor & Associates, an accounting services firm based in Evergreen and serving the Denver metro area, is our show sponsor and also one of our season sponsors.
The Evergreen Chorale is excited to announce our 2015-16 season which has something for everyone. We open with 4 weeks of the hit musical Chicago", at Center Stage from Sept 11 through Oct 4. In December we will perform "An African Noel", a collaboration with Kutandara, a Boulder-based percussion group. Next February 19 through March 6 we will produce "GUYS & DOLLS" at Center Stage, and we will end the season with "Almost Heaven: Simply Divine Choral Compositions" a Chorale concert in late June at Montview Presbyterian Church and in Evergreen. In addition to these performances, we will hold two fundraisers: "Shining Stars", a gala concert at Center Stage in November 13 & 14 featuring favorite numbers from all the Chorale musicals of the past 5 years, and our second annual "Swing Into Spring" swing dance party at the Lakehouse on May 6. Also, the choir will join with the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra on April 29 & 30 to perform the Verdi Requiem.
IF YOU GO:
Evergreen Chorale
CHICAGO
Sept. 11 - Oct. 4
Fri/Sat @ 7:30 p.m.; Sun @ 3 p.m.
Purchase tickets ($24 - $16) online at www.evergreenchorale.org or call 303-674-4002.
Center/Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen, CO 80439
PG-13
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