Chicago
at The Sagemont School

Reviewed on March 6, 2016

Hannah Singer
South Plantation High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

"The name on everybody's lips is gonna be Roxie!" Welcome to the Cook County Jail and watch a tale of murder, fame, and jazz unfold through The Sagemont School's production of "Chicago."

Premiering in 1975 on Broadway, "Chicago" is the second longest-running Broadway musical ever. With music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse, the 1920's set musical is a satire on corruption and the justice system. It follows the story of Roxie Hart and the murder of her lover, as she becomes a celebrity for the crime she has committed. During her stay in the Cook County Jail, she meets Velma Kelly, a vaudeville performer also in jail for murder. The two go head to head as they fight for fame, fortune, and the attention of charismatic lawyer, Billy Flynn.

The Sagemont School's use of a black box theater brought uniqueness to the classic "Chicago." The emotion and energy of the entire ensemble was felt due to a heightened sense of intimacy with the audience. The cast's liveliness and dedication created for a very engaging production.

Jessie Jordan's portrayal of Roxie Hart was filled with energy. Her refined vocals and bubbly characterization melded well together to bring about the naïve personality of Roxie. Velma Kelly played by Susana Obando dazzled with her polished dance technique and sardonic character choices. The stark contrast between the two ladies worked seamlessly to create memorable moments on stage.

From ensemble members to larger supporting roles, many members of the cast had commendable performances. Claudia Moncaliano's performance of Mama Morton was noteworthy with powerful vocals and a domineering stage presence. Andres Hernandez evoked emotion in his portrayal of Roxie's loyal husband, Amos, especially in his solo, "Mister Cellophane." The Merry Murderesses were memorable through their number "Cell Block Tango" with overpowering vocals, precise dance, and impressive synchronization.

Technical elements of the show made many scenes more engaging to watch. Period appropriate costumes full of flapper dresses and feather headpieces were appealing to the eye. There were also beautiful lighting moments where actors were illuminated during intense scenes. Aside from microphone and wig inconsistencies, the technical aspects of the show intermingled well with the overall performance.

Come see Roxie and Velma's story of fame and corruption, and you'll truly be captivated by the lifestyle of a 1920's murderess in The Sagemont School's "Razzle-Dazzling" production of "Chicago."

Maya Quinones
Deerfield Beach High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

Broadway's most famous tale of "murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery" is brought to life in The Sagemont School's stellar production of the hit musical Chicago.

Now taking the spot as the second longest running show on Broadway, Chicago didn't always have tremendous success on The Great White Way. In its original run, Chicago's dark themes and unique Brechtian theatrical style made audiences uncomfortable. Over time however, the production has accumulated immense popularity, featuring big name celebrities such as Bebe Neuwirth and Taye Diggs. Music by John Kander and Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago satirizes the American attitude toward crime and the press, highlighting the underground corruption lurking within the justice system in 1920's Chicago. With six cast albums and six Tony Awards under its belt, Chicago has not only stood the test of time, but also remains relevant to today's issues with the overt sensationalism the press attaches to horrific crimes.

Jessie Jordan plays Roxie Hart, the aspiring vaudeville star turned murderess. When Roxie shoots her illicit lover, she is immediately incarcerated with little hope of a short sentence. Jordan's infectious charm and devotion to her character was consistent throughout the performance, Roxie's bubbly blonde hair and persistent pout demanded the attention of the audience. Equally as impressive is Roxie's foil, the sarcastic and tough Velma Kelley, played by Susana Obando. With near perfect dance technique and mature line delivery, Obando's portrayal of Velma Kelley was that of a professional quality. In the numbers "Nowadays" and "Hot Honey Rag," Obando and Jordan danced in unison, bringing their contrasting qualities to an equal balance of talent. The two actresses had strong chemistry and a complete understanding of the material, proving that despite its mature themes, high schools are capable of tackling the macabre nature of Chicago.

Paxton Terris plays the suave and manipulative Billy Flynn, the most popular lawyer in town. With cigar in hand and a perfectly pressed pink suit, Terris successfully guided the story as Billy Flynn takes control of both Roxie and Velma's cases. Andres Hernandez plays Amos Hart, the pathetic yet caring husband of Roxie. Hernandez's authentic portrayal of Amos sparked empathy from the audience as he lamented his unimportance in his solo "Mr. Cellophane." Hernandez turned the "invisible, inconsequential" Amos into a character worthy of remembrance. Chicago's classic Bob Fosse choreography was honored in this production, cohesive homage's to the original production's dance technique featured in numbers such as the famous "All That Jazz" and "We Both Reached for The Gun." While sometimes lacking in vocal support, the ensemble maintained energy and successfully assumed multiple roles throughout the performance.

This performance in a Black Box theatre, had the production accomplish very much in very little space. The staging was balanced and effective in representing everything from a courtroom to a bedroom with minimal set pieces. The lighting was dramatic and playful, casting hues of red, blue, and bright white across the stage. Costume malfunctions and microphone inconsistencies were relatively non-distracting and handled professionally by the cast.

The Sagemont Schools impressive production of Chicago proves the vast talent a high schooler is capable of. Unlike poor Amos Hart, this production will not go unappreciated.

Sofie Whitney
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

Welcome to the women's block of Cook County Jail in Chicago, Illinois. After meeting with Matron Morton, you will be sent to your cell, but not until you catch The Sagemont School's radiant production of "Chicago".

With music by Joe Kander, book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, and lyrics by Fred Ebb as well, the original production of "Chicago" opened on Broadway in 1975, but didn't have much success. The show got most of its glory from the 1996 revival, which won six Tony Awards, and is now currently the second longest running musical on Broadway. Set in the 1920s, "Chicago" is a satire of corruption, greed, violence, and adultery that follows the story of aspirant vaudeville performer and newfound murderess, Roxie Hart, and the events that transpire leading up to her big murder case.

The egocentric and fame-hungry murderess Roxie Hart was portrayed by Jessie Jordan. Her performance demonstrated a full understanding of the dazzling essence required for her character. In the musical numbers, "Funny Honey" and "Roxie" Jordan showcased her elegant and soulful vocals. Billy Flynn, Roxie's charming and suave, yet very intelligent lawyer, was depicted by Paxton Terris. Terris skillfully depicted the deviousness of his character and was constantly engaged in every scene he appeared in.

Susana Obando characterized the bold and seductive Velma Kelly. Obando commanded the space with her delightful vocals and flashy dance moves during her rendition of "I Can't Do it Alone". Andres Hernandez, who played the sweet, big-hearted, and innocent Amos Hart, gave a truly sincere performance. Hernandez portrayed his character with a believability that evoked compassion for his character's pitiful situation.

The ensemble played a huge role in the success of this production. The majority of the ensemble appeared to be fully committed in each of the songs they were featured in. Standout numbers included "Cell Block Tango", "We Both Reached for the Gun", and "Razzle Dazzle", all of which consisted of in-sync choreography and extensive energy from everyone on the stage.

Despite some issues with sound amplification, the technical aspects of the show ran smoothly. Costumes chosen by Andres Hernandez, Taylor Briesemeister and crew fit the theme and era of the production entirely. The lighting, done by Michael Reardon, Arturo Fernandez, and Skylar Scorca, suited each scene appropriately.

"Nowadays" it's difficult to find a show with as much "Razzle Dazzle" as The Sagemont School's production of "Chicago".

Veronica Pereira
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

"All that Jazz" was sure brought out for Sagemont's performance of "Chicago". The black box theater rendition of Broadway's second longest running show lended itself to close audience encounters and personal interactions with the talented inmates of Chicago's women's prison.

"Chicago" tells the story of Vaudeville actress Velma Kelly who shot her husband and sister. She is the most famous inmate and has a good lawyer, Billie Flynn, who she assumes will stick with her and get her case acquitted. All goes fine for her until Roxie hart murders her lover and steals Velma's spotlight. As the two women fight for freedom the only way they know how, illegally and scandalously, a bond between them is formed through competition and necessity. The musical first premiered on Broadway in the seventies, but didn't do well until its second showing in the nineties, which is still running.

Sagemont School's performance emphasized the vaudevillian style of the show through costumes, dances, and close audience interaction. Actors paid close attention to making sure each side of the audience received face time and felt connected with the story. Amongst some positives were the student choreography and impressive wigs that stayed put during the entire show.

Velma (Susana Obando) had a beautiful series of dances that brought out her character nicely. She was a very professional dancer even in the most risque of scenes. Roxie Hart was beautifully embodied by Jessie Jordan. Her facial expressions and body language were always consistent and sharply executed even during tough scenes and songs including "We Both Reached for the Gun". Even when her mic pack suffered a slip during the final scene, she continued with poise acting as Roxie, and making little fuss over it. Billy Flynn (Paxton Terris) also had many difficult scenes executed simply and cleanly.

There was a large ensemble involvement in this production. The men and women dancers added color and action to otherwise dry scenes, sometimes even overshadowing the conversation and singing of the main actors. Go-To-Hell Kitty played by Marcella Vargas stood out as not only a good dancer but also a strong and beautiful singer who carried the ensemble voices. Hunyak (Erica Merlino) also stood out with her touching performance and Hungarian speech. Her ending was truly well portrayed.

The costumes were chosen true to the vaudeville style by Andres Hernandez and crew. The lights were well executed by David Scorca and crew, and finally the sound design was controlled by Arturo Fernandez and crew. Although there were minor technicalities throughout the show, it ran smoothly and without interruption.

"Chicago" in Sagemont's rendition was a high impact and close encounter production full of the true vaudeville nature of the show. There were elements of excitement and entertainment of all kinds accompanied by the acting and dancing of talented high school students.

Marlo Rodriguez
Somerset Academy Arts Conservatory
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

Take a trip back in time to the roaring 20's of Chicago's iconic jazz era and see what the ladies of the Cook County Jail are cooking up with The Sagemont School's production of Chicago. This upbeat and enticing play first became known to the theatre world when it was written as a non-musical play in 1926 by Maurine Dallas Watkins. This play was eventually recreated to become a musical in 1975 with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The 1996 Chicago revival is the longest-running American musical to this day.

The story follows big time dreamer Roxie Hart who is charged with the murder of her lover, Fred Casely. Sent to the Cook County Jail, Roxie awaits her trial in hopes that her likable personality, pushover husband Amos, and cunning lawyer Billy Flynn, get her a not guilty verdict and, most importantly, fame. She runs into many people in the jail like Mama and the infamous Velma Kelly.

The Sagemont School performed this musical in their black box theater, which worked in their favor. Jessie Jordan (Roxie Hart) was wonderful. Her commitment to her character's personality and physicality was extremely impressive. She had great stage presence and powerhouse vocals to back it up. She carried each scene with strength, grace and energy. Her counterpart, the ying to her yang, Susana Obando (Velma Kelly) also had strong characteristics and physicality. The two characters were so different and it was lovely to see the two of them on stage together to provide a dynamic duo. Obando not only had a strong singing voice but amazing dance technique that was vital to her character. Paxton Terris (Billy Flynn) was another stand out. His energy and confidence was spot on and there was never a dull moment with Paxton on stage. The whole cast in the production had focus and energy, which was needed for this jazzy musical.

Tech in this show was pleasing. The black box setting allowed for an intimate and up close viewing of this production. While sometimes it was a bit too close, the actors did well with remaining focused and even interacting with audience members when necessary.

All in all, The Sagemont School did a great job with this production.

Tristan Hutchison
Cardinal Gibbons High School
Submitted for publication to The Forum

Ritz, murder, and jazz! Sounds like the ingredients of a classic in the making, right? Well, you're close! It's The Sagemont School's production of "Chicago."

"Chicago" originally opened on Broadway in June of 1975, with Music and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb and Book by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb. After 936 performances, the musical closed in August of 1977. However, it was revived in 1996 and is still running to this day. This makes it the second longest running musical in Broadway history, right behind "The Phantom of the Opera." The story follows two Cook County Jail inmates, Velma Kelley and Roxie Hart, who are both trying to be acquitted for murder. They both implore the help of greedy lawyer Billy Flynn. Soon, with the help of Billy, Velma and Roxie are all anyone can talk about. However, is fame enough for the two women to be absolved from murder?

This production showed off a variety of talent from its young cast. Some standout performances include Jessie Jordan's portrayal of Roxie Hart. Jordan was a delight to watch on stage, especially during her song "Roxie." She was always in the moment and seemed to really understand her character. Another wonderful performance in this show was that of Susana Obando, who played the sultry Velma Kelly. Obando really brought charisma and uniqueness to her role, especially during her dance numbers. Obando's dance talents were flawless and exciting in every song she was in. The final performance that really stood out was Amos played by Andres Hernandez. Hernandez shined whenever he was on the stage. Whether it was during his song "Mister Cellophane" or delivering his lines, Hernandez really made you feel for his character.

Technically, the show had a few challenges. There were several times when a character could not be heard or there was microphone feedback. At points in the show, the ensemble lacked emotion or seemed lost on stage. Whispering or talking could also be heard from backstage at different times. Though, for the most part, everyone did a fantastic job.

All in all, The Sagemont School's production of "Chicago" was an exciting experience. Through song, dance, and a little bit of "razzle dazzle," the young actors showed us what can happen when "you both reach for the gun!"