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Bellerose High musical theatre lights a fire under Chicago

PREVIEW Chicago, the Musical Bellerose Composite High Musical Theatre Feb. 5 to 7 Arden Theatre 5 St. Anne Street Tickets: $10 to $20.
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Connor Greenough as Billy Flynn, left, and Sarah Johnson as Roxie rehearse their roles in the musical stage production of Chicago with fellow Bellerose Composite High School students at the school on Thursday.

PREVIEW

Chicago, the Musical

Bellerose Composite High Musical Theatre

Feb. 5 to 7

Arden Theatre

5 St. Anne Street

Tickets: $10 to $20. Call 780-460-8490 or at the door


You could say Chicago, the Musical is a killer-diller of a play, and this season the Bellerose Composite High Musical Theatre program is tackling it head-on.

The musical is based on a 1926 play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins who used actual crimes and criminals she reported on.

Although Chicago satirizes themes of celebrity, scandal and a corrupt criminal justice system during Chicago’s Jazz Age, more than ever it remains relevant today.

It’s all there: false values, self-promotion, the desperation of unwarranted fame, corruption and a system that’s rotting from the inside out.

“It pokes fun at celebrity criminals and how the justice system is warped,” said director Juanita McGarrigle.

The two-hour-plus musical is based on the true story of Beulah Annan fictionalized as the streetwise Roxie Hart who spectacularly murders her lover in a fit of rage. In prison, she meets the vampy Velma Kelly, a singer accused of murdering her husband and sister who were also having an affair.

Billy Flynn, Chicago’s most successful lawyer and a slick hotshot who has never lost a case, defends both of them in a highly publicized case that includes manipulating evidence.

More than 100 Bellerose students contributed to various areas of acting, set construction, costumes, lighting, sound and backstage support.

One of McGarrigle’s first goals was to give the production a distinct vibe.

“We have 22 kids as actors, but only five principals. So we double-cast the show giving more kids an opportunity to explore bigger roles,” she said.

Another element that offers a different spin is the elimination of skimpy outfits.

“The original had a very Cabaret look. This is a high school version. We’ve reduced the overt sexuality and kept the sex appeal. We just haven’t shown a lot of skin.”

The “Stitch Squad,” as Adrien Donnelly’s 16 fashion design students are known, has designed and sewn more than 100 costumes that gives a nod to the 1890s industrial revolution steampunk era.

In researching Chicago’s history, McGarrigle also discovered the Guissellar machine, a steampunk-era invention that projected light and imagery.

“A lot of Chicago plays in Roxy’s mind. We decided to pay homage to her fantasies and portray it as a reality on a scrim.”

Despite the physical creative changes, composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb’s great hits such as All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango and Razzle Dazzle will flourish alongside some high-kicking choreography.

But instead of Bob Fosse angular choreography full of wrist flicks, pelvis twists, shoulder shimmies, body twirls, the students have created their own moves.

“We started with nothing and the kids have created what we hope is a fantastic and unique look at Chicago. These are kids that could be at home on a computer, but they decided to hone their craft and work as an ensemble. I’m very proud of their work and it shows the creativity in St. Albert.”

Chicago offers four shows at the Arden Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m.

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