Fast, sexy, Chicago plays in Sacramento
Charlotte d'Amboise stars as Roxie Hart in the hit Broadway musical CHICAGO playing Apr. 21-26 in Sacramento. Photo by Carol Rosegg/Joan Marcus
    Winner of six Tony Awards, the Broadway musical CHICAGO came to town this week for performances Apr. 21-26 at the Community Center Theater.
    The single-set production holds the audience spellbound as it weaves a sexy tale of murder - and entertainment - in the setting of Chicago of the 1920s.
    The story revolves around Roxie Hart (Charlotte d'Amboise), a singer who murders her lover as he threatens to leave her. Roxie's loving, but not-too-bright husband confesses to the crime, but there are so many holes in his story, the truth finally comes out and Roxie admits that she is the killer.
    Roxie goes to jail where she finds herself awaiting trial and in the middle of a media circus as the newspaper and radio reporters switch their attention between whoever has the most sensational story at the moment.
    Her rival jailbird, Velma Kelly (Jasmine Guy), has enlisted a charming, smart, and very conceited media savvy lawyer - Billy Flynn (Brent Barrett), who charges everyone $5,000 and admits he's in it for the money.
CAST:
Velma Kelly - Jasmine Guy
Roxie Hart - Charlotte d'Amboise
Fred Casely - Jeffrey Broadhurst
Sergeant Fogarty - Gerry McIntyre
Amos Hart - Ron Orbach
Liz - Wendy Edmead
Annie - Linda Bowen
June - Marianne McCord
Hunyak - Cheryl Clark
Mona - Dana Moore
"Mama" Morton - Avery Sommers
Billy Flynn - Brent Barrett
Mary Sunshine - M.E. Spencer
Go-To-Hell-Kitty - Sandahl Bergman
Harry - Chris Holly
Aaron - Gregory Reuter
Doctor - Darren Lee
The Judge - Gerry McIntyre
The Baliff - Michael Gorman
Martin Harrison - Darren Lee
Court Clerk - Michael Gorman
The Jury - Michael Arnold
    Flynn is a master of manipulating reporters and uses the sensational nature of his clients' crimes to steal the media spotlight. His attention switches from Velma to Roxie when he sees Velma fading from media interest and Roxie being the "star" on the rise.
    What develops is a funny, sexy and highly entertaining romp, with everyone getting what they want in the end.
    CHICAGO features some great songs and music, including "All That Jazz," "Cell Block Tango," and "When You're Good to Mama." Avery Sommers' portrayal of the hefty jail matron "Mama," is one of the high points of the show.
    The whole cast shines with a high energy performance and both d'Amboise and Guy seem like naturals for the roles of two murderess' who try to climb over each other as they try to turn their crimes into a springboard to star status.
    Barrett also seems a perfect fit for the role of a lawyer who will do anything to get his client off (especially if it makes hime look good - not to mention his $5,000 fee). And poor Amos (Roxie's husband, brilliantly played by Ron Orbach). By the end of the show, the audience loved him. He never gets the best of anyone and sings of being "Mister Cellophane" because people look right through him. The band won't even play his exit music as he leaves the stage!
    CHICAGO was a real treat for the opening night audience at the Sacramento Community Center Theater. Tickets are limited, but if you can catch a performance before it leaves town, you won't be sorry.
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