And All That Jazz: Chicago the Musical at GCHS!

By Erin Lloyd

Chicago, set in the 1920s, portrays life in the lively, jazz-filled streets of Chicago Here, two rival murderesses are incarcerated after committing considerable crimes Chorus girl Roxie Hart murders her secret lover, Fred Casely, in cold blood. She is then able to convince her clueless husband, Amos, that Fred was an unwanted intruder – that is, until the police reveal to him that she did in fact know the victim While in jail, she meets nightclub star Velma Kelly, who, after finding her husband in bed with her sister, shoots and kills both. Velma then seeks out the help of Mama Morton, who presides over the jail, and lawyer Billy Flynn, who help turn Roxie and Velma’s unfortunate imprisonments into an eye-catching media trap. As a whole, the play takes the audience through a vivid depiction of 1920s controversy and scandal

Although I've never been one for theater, I have found my experience in the pit both an exciting and compelling experience. In the previous year, I participated in the production of Cinderella, which was my first involvement rddd in our school's play. One of the most significant experiences, for me, was seeing how the music we rehearsed complimented the scenes that the actors performed. Among that, I saw how the stage crew, the pit, and the cast all fit together to create an unforgettable performance.

For Chicago, I've had some similar learning experiences As a member of the orchestra, it is a rarity for me to perform music with the band, and since Chicago is a very jazz-heavy script, I get to see first-hand the different band instruments. Some of my favorite songs, like Cell Block Tango and Mr Cellophane, consist of changing key and time signatures, as well as rhythms that make it more interesting to perform Moreover, I've had to build up the confidence to shift my mindset from performing in a full orchestra to practically a soloist position Aside from the music, spending time with other individuals who enjoy playing makes the experience more memorable. It gives me a more in-depth perspective of the theater world and continues to shape my musical growth.