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THEATER Randall Theatre stages steamy 'Chicago' By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 6, 2015 @ 9:00 am Updated Aug 8, 2015 at 1:33 PM By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 6, 2015 @ 9:00 am Updated Aug 8, 2015 at 1:33 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Set in the steamy jazz era of the 1920s, composer John Kander's and lyricist Fred Ebb's musical "Chicago" tells the tale of wannabe vaudeville star Roxie Hart, who hopes to make it big in showbiz. When she murders her lying boyfriend, her crime lands her in jail with stage idol Velma Kelly, also on trial for murder. The young women join forces to plot their strategy — stay out of prison and be big stars on stage — by getting Velma's notorious lawyer Billy Flynn to defend them. He hatches a razzle-dazzle defense that rocks the legal system and gives the girls their big break. When their fame fades as soon as another celebrity murder makes the front page, Roxie and Velma realize it was all just an illusion. Originally choreographed by Bob Fosse, "Chicago" is the longest-running musical in Broadway history. "It's got everything," says Robin Downward, artistic director at Randall Theatre. "It's got a fantastic story, interesting characters, phenomenal dancing, and we're able to use all of our bells and whistles as far as lighting for the production. "We're always looking for ways to push the envelope at Randall," he says. "Every year we stage a big, lavish show. It's going really well. Though we want to push our limits, we don't want to drive audiences away. This one fits the bill. As far as production value, 'Chicago' is a spectacle." The show opens with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. Tickets cost $20 and include dinner, drinks and reserved seating for the 7 p.m. performance. Other shows will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, Thursdays through Saturdays, Aug. 13-15 and Aug. 20-22, and 1 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 9, 16 and 23. Reserved seating costs $18 and can be purchased online at randalltheatre.com or by calling  541-632-3258. Pay-what-you-can tickets will be available at the door, subject to availability. The biggest challenge of staging "Chicago" is the dancing, Downward says. "A number of talented dancers auditioned for the lead roles," he says. "We had two weeks of auditions and three weeks of call-backs. There were so many good people, we simply couldn't decide." Deborah Downward and Brianna Gowland choreographed Randall's production of "Chicago."  Deborah Downward worked as a professional dancer and dance captain at Las Vegas casino the Tropicana, and she and husband Robin met in 1997 while working in a Vegas-style song-and-dance revue at SandCastle in Tumon Bay, Guam.  Susan Aversa-Orrego directs, musical direction is by Garrett Bond and music arrangements are by Don Tull. "The costuming, lighting, music and story stay true to the original Kander and Ebb script," Robin Downward says. The cast's "Killer Dillers" include Robin Downward as Billy Flynn, Deborah Downward as Velma Kelly and Kaitie Warner as Roxie Hart. "Billy Flynn is a big Chicago lawyer who doesn't care about anything else but money," Robin Downward says. "There is an implication that he and Velma have experienced some kind of tryst, but he's pretty much out for himself. The show really surrounds Velma's and Roxie's relationships and their contrivances. Velma's already experienced success, but she's feeling her age. Roxie is younger and in a hurry to get her singing career started." By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 6, 2015 @ 9:00 am Updated Aug 8, 2015 at 1:33 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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