Loyola's Evergreen Players perform Broadway musical Chicago
Alexandra Kahrer
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: Arts & Society
Loyola's Evergreen Players performed their rendition of the Broadway musical, Chicago, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Under the direction of Arion Alston and Ernest Liotti, a professor in Loyola's fine arts department, McManus Theater transformed into an era of jazz, liquor, adultery and murder reminiscent of Chicago in the 1920s.
Chicago is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice during the prohibition era in the city of Chicago. The musical centers on a pair of women in jail, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, who have been accused of murdering their husbands or lovers.
Velma Kelly was played by Emily Rutan, '10. Velma is a vaudevillian who shared an act with her sister. However, after finding her sister and her husband in bed together, she murders both of them before welcoming the audience to the show in the number, "All That Jazz." Rutan does a phenomenal job of portraying Velma's sassy personality, impudence and self-obsession.
Jenna Burnbaum, '10, plays the character Roxie Hart, a flighty chorus girl desperate for her own act. She murders her lover, Fred Casely, played by Joey Baccan, '13, for trying to walk out on her. When Roxie's dim-witted but sweet and loyal husband, Amos, played by David Ryan, '11, comes home to scene of the murder and Amos realizes the situation, the truth comes out and Roxie is arrested.
Burnbaum's first solo as Roxie was the song "Funny Honey." Her powerful voice combined with her portrayal of Roxie's selfish attitude and ungratefulness toward Amos made this number very entertaining. Once Roxie is taken to jail, the audience meets six murderesses, one being the famous Velma Kelly, as they tell their stories of their brutal killings in the number, "The Cell Block Tango." The choreography, done by Ron Giddings who graduated from Loyola, was filled with high kicks and lifts that wowed the audience.
We are then met with the jail's matron, Mama, played by Beth DeFries, '13. In the number, "When You're Good to Mama," we learn that Mama will do favors for the inmates as long as they do something for her first. This system has worked out well for Velma as Mama helped her to get the best lawyer in town, Billy Flynn, played by Christian Rees, '12. Billy Flynn has never lost a case to a woman client due to his ability to twist stories and manipulate the juries - as long as he gets $5,000.
Chicago is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice during the prohibition era in the city of Chicago. The musical centers on a pair of women in jail, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, who have been accused of murdering their husbands or lovers.
Velma Kelly was played by Emily Rutan, '10. Velma is a vaudevillian who shared an act with her sister. However, after finding her sister and her husband in bed together, she murders both of them before welcoming the audience to the show in the number, "All That Jazz." Rutan does a phenomenal job of portraying Velma's sassy personality, impudence and self-obsession.
Jenna Burnbaum, '10, plays the character Roxie Hart, a flighty chorus girl desperate for her own act. She murders her lover, Fred Casely, played by Joey Baccan, '13, for trying to walk out on her. When Roxie's dim-witted but sweet and loyal husband, Amos, played by David Ryan, '11, comes home to scene of the murder and Amos realizes the situation, the truth comes out and Roxie is arrested.
Burnbaum's first solo as Roxie was the song "Funny Honey." Her powerful voice combined with her portrayal of Roxie's selfish attitude and ungratefulness toward Amos made this number very entertaining. Once Roxie is taken to jail, the audience meets six murderesses, one being the famous Velma Kelly, as they tell their stories of their brutal killings in the number, "The Cell Block Tango." The choreography, done by Ron Giddings who graduated from Loyola, was filled with high kicks and lifts that wowed the audience.
We are then met with the jail's matron, Mama, played by Beth DeFries, '13. In the number, "When You're Good to Mama," we learn that Mama will do favors for the inmates as long as they do something for her first. This system has worked out well for Velma as Mama helped her to get the best lawyer in town, Billy Flynn, played by Christian Rees, '12. Billy Flynn has never lost a case to a woman client due to his ability to twist stories and manipulate the juries - as long as he gets $5,000.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Chicago Fan
posted 11/09/09 @ 12:01 PM EST
Nothing about the music or musicians/orchestra on stage? The whole cast did a wonderful job, as well as the musicians. Very entertaining and the musical direction and performance couldn't have been any better. (Continued…)
Chicago "Fan"
posted 11/20/09 @ 1:20 PM EST
I am a huge fan of the play Chicago, having seen it on Broadway and watching the movie constantly. Knowing that Loyola's rendition cannot possibly stand up to either, I went with the sole hope of enjoying myself. (Continued…)
Hazed Audience Member
posted 11/20/09 @ 1:30 PM EST
I completely agree with Chicago "Fan." We must have been in the same audience that night! I found the play to be hilarious, but not for anything else than the ridiculous "acting" by some of the characters. (Continued…)
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posted 4/03/10 @ 4:39 PM EST
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