Marquee Productions Stages CHICAGO, 4/15-23

Marquee Productions presents the Broadway sizzler, Chicago at the Montgomery Theater in downtown San Jose, April 15 - 23, 2011. Winner of six Tony® Awards, five prestigious Drama Desk and two Laurence Olivier Awards, including "Best Musical Revival," this tantalizing tale of treachery, murder, fame and fortune is electrified with exhilarating dance numbers and show-stopping tunes. Known both for its choreography by the famed Bob Fosse and the 2002 movie, which won six Academy Awards, the show flaunts celebrity, scandal, and corruption in Jazz-age Chicago. It was the first musical since Oliver! (1969) to win an Oscar® for Best Picture.

Chicago is directed and choreographed by Kevin R. Hauge, artistic director for the award-winning Children's Musical Theater San Jose (CMT). The musical is based on a 1926 play of the same name, written by Chicago Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, who covered the real-life trials of the murderesses. The music is by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse.

"Chicago was selected for this season as a celebration and showcase for the remarkable dancers from the South Bay," says Hauge. "It's a great vehicle for their artistry and athleticism. The heat, passion and power required for this piece is delivered with remarkable energy by this all-star cast, but I wouldn't stop there. To achieve a truly memorable production of Chicago, the cast must deliver the physical comedy with more precision and greater timing than the steps. This cast does."

Marquee Productions feature Bay Area actors and alumni of CMT, many who return to the theater just for the annual benefit productions. All Marquee Productions benefit the CMT youth theater programs.

Performance dates:
Opening Night: Friday, April 15 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 16 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 17 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 22 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 23 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

All tickets are $30. Tickets are available at www.cmtsj.org or by calling 408-792-4111.

About Chicago
It's gritty Chicago in the roaring twenties. Chorine Roxie Hart, starring Shannon Self (last seen as Cyd Charise in the Marquee Production of Singin' in the Rain), has bumped off her gangster lover and convinced her hapless husband Amos to take the rap, until he discovers he's been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to prison, she meets Merry Murderess, vaudevillian Velma Kelly, starring Mary Kalita (who last appeared as Lina Lamont in the Marquee Production of Singin' in the Rain).

The two encounter the mercenary Mama Morton, played by Robin Boshears (last seen as Muzzy Van Hossmere in the Marquee Production of Thoroughly Modern Millie). Mama keeps a close tab over the sultry, tough jailbirds as they vie for the "murderess of the moment" by hiring the hot-shot, slick lawyer, Billy Flynn, played by Michael Mulcahy (who last appeared as Prince Charming in the Marquee Production of Disney's When You Wish). With the story's dim view of justice and fascination for the "celebrity criminal," Roxie and Velma ultimately join forces in search of the American Dream: fame, fortune and acquittal.

Chicago pays homage to the genius choreographer Bob Fosse - with its unmistakable thrusts, swiveling wrists, slinky shoulder rolls and angular splits and leaps. The adrenaline-fueled dancing is supported by an irresistible score, which won a Grammy® for the cast recording of the 1996 Broadway revival. The iconic toe-tapping, finger-snapping "All That Jazz," kicks off the excitement while smooth-talking Billy Flynn vamps for his adoring fans in "Razzle Dazzle," and later in the show prison matron Mama Morton belts out the seductively jazzy number, "When You're Good to Mama."

Director Kevin R. Hauge is in his 15th season as artistic director of Children's Musical Theater San Jose. Kevin has established CMT as the leading theater company for youth by taking on increasingly challenging and professional-quality productions. His innovative approach to productions, including multimedia and internet technology, has resulted in eight consecutive grant awards for artistic excellence from the National Endowment for the Arts. A recipient of the prestigious Lin Wright Special Recognition Award by the American Alliance for Theater and Education, Kevin was the guest speaker at the International Association of Theater Educators Conference and the Education and Technology Conference.

Kikau Alvaro's (Associate Choreographer) directorial and choreography work was featured in CMT's productions of The Drowsy Chaperone, Once on this Island, Babes in Arms, Leader of the Pack, High School Musical, Oklahoma, and Godspell. He is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and holds a Theatre Arts degree from San Jose State University, where he directed and choreographed a production of Urinetown in 2009. Kikau lives in New York City, where he regularly performs as a member of Walden Dance Company.
(full cast list available upon request)
Mary Kalita (Velma Kelly) last appeared in a Marquee Production as Lina Lamont in Singin' in the Rain. Her local credits include Sally Simpson in The Who's Tommy at Ray of Light Theater; Rumpleteazer in CATS and Linda in The Wedding Singer at Willows Theatre Company; Tess in Crazy For You, Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors and Ellie in Showboat at Broadway by the Bay; Phyllis in 42nd Street at Contra Costa Musical Theater; Magda in Pardon My English and Mack & Mabel at 42nd Street Moon Theater; She Loves Me at Center Rep; Rita in White Christmas and The Producers at Diablo Theater Company, and Rosie in Cabaret at Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre.
Shannon Self (Roxie Hart) was last seen as Cyd Charise in the Marquee Production of Singin' in the Rain. Shannon has performed with the former American Musical Theater San Jose, Theatrical Arts International, Los Angeles and Lenape Regional Theater, Philadelphia. CMT credits include: Cassie, Val, Sheila in A Chorus Line; Evelyn in Ragtime; Babette, Silly Girl and Carpet in The Beauty and the Beast; Anna in The King and I; The Arbiter in Chess; Martha in Seven Brides; Pam in The Full Monty and Cinderella in Disney's When You Wish.

Michael Mulcahy (Billy Flynn) was last seen as Prince Charming in the Marquee Production of Disney's When You Wish and as Trevor in Thoroughly Modern Millie and in the ensemble of Chess. This marks Michael's 40th year performing in CMT productions. Michael has received arts recognition from Young Audiences of America, Italian American Heritage Foundation, the former American Musical Theater San Jose, the City of San Jose and the State of California.

Robin Boshears (Mama Morton) was last seen as Muzzy Van Hossmere in the Marquee Production of Thoroughly Modern Millie and in the Mainstage production of Smokey Joes Café. She was Miss Hannigan in CMT's Annie ('83,'89,'91,'93 & '01). Robin's theatrical work includes singing and dancing with Royal Viking Cruise Lines, performing in Evolution of Rock (Harrah's/Reno, NV) and as a featured performer with GP Show Productions across the United States and abroad.

Michael Johnson (Amos) was last seen in the Marquee Production of Disney's When You Wish. Michael has performed in CMT's A Christmas Carol, Fiddler on the Roof and The Beauty of the Beast. His local credits include roles with TheatreWorks, City Lights Theater, South Bay Musical Theatre, West Valley Light Opera and Sunnyvale Players.

About Marquee Productions: Marquee Productions is a program of Children's Musical Theater San Jose that presents an opportunity for working actors to come together and provide high-caliber entertainment that benefits the youth theater programs of CMT.

About Children's Musical Theater San Jose: Children's Musical Theater San Jose is one of the nation's leading youth theater organizations that trains and educates young people through musical theater to set and achieve high artistic and personal goals. Now in its 43rd season, CMT has received eight consecutive grant awards for artistic excellence from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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