“This is a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence,
exploitation, adultery and treachery— all the things we hold near
and dear to our hearts,” says Velma Kelly as an introduction to the
Boulder’s Dinner Theatre razzle dazzle production of “Chicago.”
The musical by Fred Ebb, John Kander and Bob Fosse won six Tony
Awards and boasts a great score, large-scale intricate dance
numbers and a fast-paced story based on actual events in
prohibition-era Chicago. (Maurine Dallas Watkins’ headline-inspired
1926 play was a basis).
Velma Kelly (Alicia Dunfee, who is also director) and Roxie Hart
(Joanie Brosseau-Beyette) play against each other as
publicity-seeking, totally unrepentant murderesses, who hire razzle
dazzle lawyer Billy Flynn (A.K. Klimpke) to defend them. Both are
in the Cook County Jail, awaiting trial and the audience is treated
to one of choreographer Fosse’s all-time great numbers, “Cell Block
Tango.”
The lively band is placed in center stage risers and interacts
with actors as they enter and exit, while dance numbers are staged
in front of them. Careful planning required, but it works really
well. This experienced company give the illusion of a much larger
stage as they work right out to the edges, with precise
choreography.
Jail Matron “Mama” Morton (Reynelda Snell) plays each situation
to her own advantage and bank account. Snell has a rich Gospel
voice as she belts out “When You’re Good to Momma.”
While Kelly is in jail for shooting her husband and the woman
who was in bed with him, Roxie’s crime is shooting a lover, who
ditched her. Her meek husband, Amos (the wonderful Wayne Kennedy)
takes the blame for her and sings the memorable “Mr. Cellophane”
about how nobody notices him.
Combine well-written material and a strong cast and you have a
winning evening at the theater, suited to teens and adults, but
probably not the short set.
If you go:
“Chicago” plays through May 9 at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre.
Performances: Wednesdays through Sundays and selected Tuesdays.
Tickets $35 to $44. bouldersdinnertheatre.com,
303-449-6000.
