By Shayan Abbasi
Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers for “Chicago”
The famous musical set in the 1920s, “Chicago” comes to Fountain Valley High School in a high quality production running from April 26-29. Telling the story of two actresses accused of murdering their husbands, the play utilizes several song and dance numbers such as “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango” and “Razzle Dazzle.” Thanks to crafty lawyer Billy Flynn, the two navigate fame and the showbiz-driven criminal justice system to secure their innocence.
“Everyone should watch Chicago! It is such an amazing story with amazing dance and song,” sophomore Lizzy Doan said.
The lights dim, shedding the spotlight onto the stage, at which point the narrator introduces the audience to “a story of greed and treachery.” A melancholic song opens up the show, then suddenly erupts into a cheery tune where the crew members start dancing. Their clothing, with some dressed in suits and others in rags, encapsulates the show’s theme in a clever way.
At a podium erected at the middle of the stage, Velma Kelly, played by junior Bailey Curtis, sings a swingy, slow tune rendition of “All That Jazz.” Under the dim lights, the cast dances slowly around the podium, instilling a sense of foreboding that remains central throughout the play.
After the song, the lights brighten, allowing the audience to see as Roxie Hart, played by junior Annalena Jacobs, shoots her boyfriend Fred Casely, played by junior Kyle Smith. Velma also shoots her husband and sister, drawing parallels between the two characters. This sets the stage for a major plotline throughout the following acts. Roxie quickly confesses her crimes to the detective, believing her actions to be justified.
Dancers take the stage right away, singing “Cell Block Tango,” which includes lyrics such as “he had it coming” and “he only had himself to blame,” implying Roxie’s innocence. The red background lighting of the stage signifies a sense of evil, as well as a desire for revenge.
The next scene appears to be a polar contrast, opening up with a surge of blue light, with the dancers moving in an organized structure, as opposed to the chaotic dancing styles of the previous scene. Roxie soon starts talking to people, seeking legal defense. Looking to make amends, she tries to get on good terms with her husband, Amos Hart, played by sophomore Logan English.
Amos goes to a lawyer to get legal assistance on his wife’s defense. The charismatic lawyer, Billy Flynn, played by junior Andrew Pham, holds a press conference, hoping to end any doubt regarding Roxie’s innocence. The press conference is held in a call-response song pattern, where the press asks incriminating questions and Billy answers in a calculated manner.
This gives way to the next scene, where Roxie opens with a monologue and shares her dreams of stardom with the audience. Following this, she reveals that she is pregnant, thus ending the first part of the play as the production heads into an intermission.
The second part of the play commences as Billy informs a disappointed Amos that he is not the father of Roxie’s baby. Nonetheless, he still asks for Amos’s help in proving Roxie’s innocence to the jury and “giv[ing] em the old razzle dazzle.”
In the courtroom, though Roxie is found not guilty, she still seems discontent. Her conversation with Billy reveals a sense of disappointment since no reporters captured the moment and vaulted Roxie into the spotlight.
The curtains drop as Velma and Roxie perform an act together at the “Chicago Theatre,” with the rest of the crew dancing around them.
A great amount of preparation went into creating this production, both on the part of cast members and crew. Curtis shares her process preparing for the role of Velma.
“I watched various videos of previous actresses in the role, and it really helped me to understand the emotions and reason behind Velma’s every action that I hopefully am able to convey to the audience!” Curtis said.
The show will continue to run until April 29. Tickets can be bought online at the fvhstheatre.com website.
