Westminster High School will bring the Roaring ’20s to life this weekend with performances of the musical “Chicago,” and its merry murderesses, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly.
“They’re having a lot of fun with it,” director and teacher Melissa Purdy said. “‘Chicago’ is very stylized, which is almost easier in some ways as an actor, as long as you buy into it. It’s very accessible.”
Students will put on a production of the teen edition of “Chicago,” which Purdy said makes tasteful edits to the original show that premiered on Broadway in 1975 and was revived in 1996. A film version of the musical was released in 2002 and won the Oscar for Best Picture at the 75th Academy Awards.
The teen edition changes some language and cuts some parts of the show that could not be properly sanitized, Purdy said.
“If you know ‘Chicago,’ this is ‘Chicago,'” Purdy said. “Yes, there’s some edits, but it’s ‘Chicago.'”
The director said the Broadway classic was selected, in part, to play to the strengths of Westminster High’s drama company, and to give students a wide breadth of theatrical experiences while in high school.
A hallmark of “Chicago” is the choreography of Bob Fosse, whose eponymous style of dancing features turned-in knees, sideways shuffling and jazz hands. Purdy said students have had great success learning the choreography.
“Any student with the practice and the determination can get it, and they have gotten it,” Purdy said. “I think that they feel a real sense of accomplishment with that.
“It is about precision and it is about the entire ensemble moving as one and hitting these poses. From a discipline standpoint, that is an amazing learning experience and growth experience for students.”
Because the show is so well-known, students have had to rise to the challenge of meeting and exceeding audience expectations, Purdy said.
About 80 students are involved with the production, including 47 cast members, 15 contributing to technical aspects of the show, and at least 15 youth musicians in the pit orchestra. Purdy said she is happy to direct a show that includes a student orchestra.
“We believe it’s a really good experience for them,” Purdy said, “in some ways every bit as good an experience as it is for the actors or the techies, because of the different style of music. It’s a different type of performing, so whenever we can give kids that kind of experience, whether it’s onstage, backstage, or in the pit — we want to be able to do that for them.”
Performances are set for 7 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday, plus a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday at the high school, 1225 Washington Road, Westminster. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased at the door or online at https://gofan.co/app/school/MD68110.
Purdy said she recommends the show to anyone in middle school or older. For younger children, parents should determine if it is best to bring their child to a performance.
Billy Flynn, played by Ben Piper makes his entrance during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
The cast dances during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Amos Hart, played by Brady Bell, explains to Sergeant Fogarty, played by Evan Oskam what happened to Fred Casely, played by Gabriel Hoff during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Izzy Butler plays Mama Morton during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Roxie and Velma appear in silhouette during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Roxie, left, played by Kate LoPiccolo and Velma, played by Sarah Fronheiser pose after a song during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Roxie Hart, played by Kate LoPiccolo sits in Ben Piper's lap as his character Billy Flynn uses Hart to talk to the press like a ventriloquist during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Kate LoPiccolo plays Roxie Hart during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Sarah Fronheiser plays Velma Kelly during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Kate LoPiccolo plays Roxie Hart during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Roxie Hart, played by Kate LoPiccolo sings during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Mama Morton, played by Izzy Butler, discusses an idea with Velma Kelly, played by Sarah Fronheiser during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Roxie Hart, played by Kate LoPiccolo sings during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Amos Hart, played by Brady Bell, sings Mr. Cellophane during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Roxie Hart, left, played by Kate LoPiccolo and Velma Kelly, played by Sarah Fronheisser sing during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Velma Kelly, played by Sarah Fronheiser, raises her hand after singing during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Roxie Hart, played by Kate LoPiccolo poses after a song and dance number during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Billy Flynn, played by Ben Piper, tries to control his client Roxie Hart, played by Kate LoPiccolo as they talk to the press during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Billy Flynn, played by Ben Piper sings during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
Roxie Hart, played by Kate LoPiccolo reinacts the shooting of Fred Casely, played by Gabriel Hoff during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
The casts holds a pose after dancing during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
The cast dances during a rehearsal of Chicago at Westminster High School (Thomas Walker/Freelance)
