By Ryan Allen Wight
Friday, April 1, Opening Night, a sold-out crowd fills Sleith Hall’s Wood Auditorium, comprised of students, friends, family, staff, faculty, admin, thinkers, feelers, admirers, individuals ready for an excellent show — and quite unaware of what thrill and pleasure the show would bring. Prior to the start of the performance, audience members walk in and see prison bars on stage and a live band in the corner; curiosity and anticipation circulates tangibly.
In “Chicago,” protagonist Roxie Hart, played by Sophomore Allie Provost, kills her lover at the beginning of the musical and must escape being hung by remaining in the public eye as a vaudeville heartthrob. Velma Kelly, played by Senior Kayla Curameng, is experienced in this seductive, dramatic game. But as Roxie and others draw the public eye, they also draw the devotion of the one lawyer who can get Velma her freedom.
The lawyer Billy Flynn, played by Senior Ethan Valdes, bursts onto stage singing loudly of his motivation: “Love!” he cries. The audience can tell from the start that Flynn cares about only one thing: money. Valdes was a thespian peddler, selling two primary goods: presence and satire.
The brilliant student cast of Stageless Players, the lights and sound crew, Sophomore Costumes Coordinator Eva Myers, Director Alexandria Escribano ‘16, choreographers Aileen Merino Terzi and Karen McMahon, and Musical Director Debi Salli, do justice to and present commendably an already excellent musical. This performance of “Chicago” stopped the breath of its audience, zipped their lips, captured their wits and bedazzled their imaginations — oh, and what a daringly funny performance too!
Every student actor on stage embodied a unique presence, empowered by the costumes and the tech crew, the blocking and direction of the show, and of course the impassioned talents of the actors themselves.
In the role of Mama Morton, Junior Lizzy Arel made us frightened (and entirely compelled) to come to her for a favor. As Roxie’s naive husband, Amos Hart, Senior Dominick Buccitti masterfully imbibes viewers’ sympathy and judgment alike. Ashley Buchanan graces the stage as Mary Sunshine and sings with operatic talent.
Sophomore Max Brouillard brought humor and, crucially, a strong personality to the role of Fred Casley. Freshman Zach Kuenzi gives us a judge fittingly self-interested and incompetent to a point of sad hilarity. As an heiress, the next murderer in the spotlight, Senior Natalie Golden masterfully adds perspective to the musical’s hysteria by briefly drawing the spotlight.
Sophomore Owen Boyns plays Sergeant Fogarty; arresting Roxie and investigating the murder of Fred Casley, Boyns embodied the macho indifference of a cop in juxtaposition to Roxie’s melodrama, inspiring in the audience multiple laughs and some shaking of bemused heads.
Senior Kayla Curameng brought expertise and maturity to the leading role of Velma Kelly, offering an unendingly witty and thoroughly captivating character. As Roxie Hart, Allie Provost gave us everything: attitude, sass, fear, beauty, vanity. Provost’s performance had such range and acuity that it defined an entirely unique persona, perfectly expressing a character whom the world has never had the pleasure to see on stage quite like this.
Perhaps the core of the story, its aesthetic and strength, can be attributed to Senior Victoria Sebastian, Senior Hannah Zieminski, Freshman Zoey Wexler, Senior Molly Doyle, and Junior Julia Hart. From the start and throughout the show, they set the tone and overwhelm the audience. Murdering a lover never seemed so glorious.
Again, to the technical crew and everyone involved behind the scenes, thank you and congratulations! And to Stageless Players and the entire production: Spectacular!
