CHICAGO
This year, ’Stoga Theatre presented “Chicago: Teen Edition,” a jazzy Broadway musical about two women in jail for murder and their lawyer’s attempts to turn their trials into glamorous shows. Seniors Emma Arruda and Caroline Morrissey played the roles of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, respectively, and senior Orlando Campos Cruz as their lawyer, Billy Flynn.
The multilayer set captured the ambiance of
Chicago in the 1920s. Additional features, such as the drop-down sets and items, color-changing lights and integrated audience seating, allowed for more dynamic action in the musical. Performers served audience members at tables on the bottom level of the stage with Chicago-style snacks like deep-dish pizza, Wrigley's gum and party dogs. Arruda felt that the set this year elevated her experience on the stage.
“The set this year is really awesome. The stage crew this year worked really hard to make sure that it really showcases the entire cast,” Arruda said. “Not only do we have cast members on different levels, but we also have the pit on stage, which is something we have never done before, and it is super cool.”
Scenes like “Cell Block Tango” featured life-sized jail cells coming out not only from the wings but also from the ceiling, with moving lights and props such as chairs that made each
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dancer's experience and individual parts unique. In the scene “Nowadays,” two boxes came out from each side of the wings with the lit-up words “Velma” and “Roxie”, amplifying the main characters’ presence on the stage.
“Chicago: Teen Edition” featured some alterations in dialogue and lyrics from the Broadway version. However, for a handful of songs, the actors danced the original Broadway choreographies in the show.
“In the beginning of ‘All That Jazz,’ and in the end with me and Caroline, who plays Velma, it’s that original choreography,” Arruda said. “So it added
Hair and Makeup
The Pit
The pit orchestra started preparing for the show in early January, rehearsing every Wednesday after school. The ensemble kept most of the original songs, only cutting small parts or changing keys to accommodate the cast.
This year, the pit was on stage under the musical set with stand flashlights to help them read sheet music in the dark.
With different sections designated for various instruments, the front row had two violinists, three clarinetists and three saxophonists. Behind the violins, the trombones were on a riser, with the trumpets further back. The setup also included a drum set, while beneath each staircase, there were two pianos, a tuba player, a bassist and a guitarist.
Ryan Crill, a senior alto and soprano saxophone player, enjoyed the integration of the pit orchestra and the set.
“I thought it was really fun to be able to see what's going on and just be able to follow the plot pretty well,” Crill said. “It just also was a cool arrangement to be able to see the set and everything that was happening.”
another layer to throw in the learning process that we haven’t done before.”
Members of the cast were proud of their work and the final show they were able to create. The performance attracted large audiences and standing ovations.
“It's the best feeling getting to perform for an audience and show everyone what you've been working so hard on because we've almost been rehearsing every day for the past month or so,” Morrissey said. “I'm up there with some of my best friends, and so I just have fun every night, and I look forward to all the shows.”
Crew
With over 50 actors to get ready, the hair, makeup and costume crews were busy during rehearsals and before shows. The costumes were made to fit the jazz theme of the 1920s. Morrissey appreciated the outfits for this unique theme.
“Between the set and the costume designs, the vision of the show just came to life,” Morrissey said. “I was able to see my character then be represented through costume.”
Sophomore Joely Lin was a part of the makeup crew this year. As a member,
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she did touch ups to get ready for the excitement.
“The music hallway, we'd do all the makeup there. It's a narrow hallway, so it got chaotic,” Lin said. “It’s stressful for the first hour when everyone's there because there were 50 people that came in for two hours to get the actors ready, but I’d say that’s really fun.”
Since “Chicago” covered important motifs of glamour and fame, the costumes, hair and makeup crews used bolder designs for their dresses and makeup.
“The girls, they have to wear a bright red or pink lipstick,” Lin said. “Everyone gets a lot of blush, but the guys get eyeliner. A lot of the featured ensemble had to wear wigs too.”
For her first year in the musical, Lin enjoyed the overall experience. She met many actors throughout the duration of the musical.
“Getting to know the actors whose makeup I was doing was nice,” Lin said. “They were really nice and a lot of my friends were there as well, so it was fun.”
Don’t mess with Mama: Junior Izzy Abramowitz plays the role of the prison warden, Matron Mama Morton. She sang her solo “When You’re Good to Mama” in Act I to demonstrate her social in uence in the Chicago jail system.
Fluttering fans: Senior Orlando Campos Cruz sings the song “All I Care About Is Love” as Billy Flynn, the lawyer. The featured ensemble accompanied Cruz throughout his solo number.
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Flashing lights: Lead characters Roxie and Velma, played by seniors Emma Arruda (le ) and Caroline Morrissey (right), end the show with the cast performing alongside them. With the illuminated Chicago sign displayed in the back, they closed with "Nowadays."
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Dazzling duo: Seniors Emma Arruda (le ) and Caroline Morrissey (right) who played lead characters Roxie and Velma respectively, sing their duet “My Own Best Friend.” They took center stage together for the dramatic nale of Act I.
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