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Photo by Mikki Schaffner, The Carnegie |
Chicago follows the story of Roxie Hart (Leslie Goddard), a married 20-something who murders the salesman she is having an affair with. Upon entering the Cook County Jail, Roxie is introduced to the other women who are incarcerated for murdering their lovers. Velma Kelly (Kimber Elayne Sprawl), the jailhouse favorite serving time for homicide, introduces Roxie to the world of the celebrity criminal all while becoming her biggest adversary. The black widows aggressively pursue the limelight as to who can get the most newspaper coverage, best lawyer, and the most lucrative Vaudeville opportunity awaiting them after prison...that is, if they can avoid the death penalty.
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Photo by Mikki Schaffner, The Carnegie |
Combined with a cast of characters from the corrupt guard, Matron Mama Morton (Angela Nalley), to the showboating lawyer Billy Flynn (Dan Doerger), and appearances by Roxie's pushover husband, Amos (Randy Bailey), Chicago is a comedic tale of cunning, ingenuity, and the business of betrayal.
Immediately recognizable were the powerhouse vocals from local Broadway favorite, Leslie Goddard, who also portrays Missy, the lead in Ensemble Theatre's The Marvelous Wonderettes. Kimber Elayne Sprawl is not to be outshined as her soulful sass rippled through the audience from opening number "All That Jazz" to the final curtain. Speaking of shine, Reporter Mary Sunshine portrayed by supporting actor Sean P. Mette left the audience raising a gender-questionable eyebrow as the hefty Mette belted out high-pitched opera-like vocals for his female character.
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Photo by Mikki Schaffner, The Carnegie |
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Photo by Mikki Schaffner, The Carnegie |
In addition to the feathers and fishnets, my favorite scene was the ventriloquist act for "We Both Reached For The Gun" as Dan Doerger’s Billy Flynn puppeteers Roxie while manipulating the reporters with a sympathetic alibi. As for Flynn, well, we couldn't help but wonder two things:
1.) Did he remind anyone else of a prominent Cincinnati lawyer?
2.) Where did he get that sleek red suit?
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Photo by Mikki Schaffner, The Carnegie |
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Photo by Mikki Schaffner, The Carnegie |
Pulling out all the flares of Vaudeville, the inner workings of a cell block never seemed so glamorous.
Tickets for Chicago are only $26.00. The show continues through August 25 at The Carnegie.
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Photo by Mikki Schaffner, The Carnegie |
