'Chicago' by Connecticut Theatre Company - My Review

Connecticut Theatre Company’s Executive Director Duane Campbell directs the current production of Chicago The Musical that is running at The Repertory Theatre in New Britain. The official title is Chicago A Musical Vaudeville with a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse and music by John Dander and Mr. Ebb.

The musical vaudeville is based on a play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, who covered the trials of murderesses Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner for the Chicago Tribune The names Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly are probably more theatrical. Mr. Campbell writes that “the musical highlights the sensationalism of the media ‘circus’ and the innate search for fifteen minutes (or more) of fame, regardless of the cost. Through its comedy and song and dance, Chicago is both thought provoking and highly entertaining.”

I would agree that the media plays a big role in the show, and there is some good comedy mixed in with the murder, jail and trial scenes and the wonderfully stylized song and dance numbers. This production did a great job with all of the above, as well as some beautiful lighting operated by Marissa Michaels and excellent costumes by Pat O’Neill.

All of the ensemble members were well used for all the production numbers and were especially good in “We Both Reached for the Gun.” All were strong dancers and some of the guys even stood out from the crowd.

Alyssa Serrambana played a strong but vulnerable Roxie Hart. This talented dancer has been dancing for 17 years and it shows. The multi-talented Sasha Brown, a recent grad of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, played Velma Kelly with plenty of attitude, a truly amazing singing voice and equally amazing high kicks in her dances. She also managed to show impressive emotion during her solo “I Can’t Do it Alone.”

Stephen Michelsson is so good in everything he does, and Billy Flynn in his first show at CTC is no exception. He has plenty of charm, a great voice and can he dance! He made “Razzle Dazzle” spectacular. Rob Crumb in a great period costume played Mary Sunshine and Tristan Cole played the downtrodden Amos Hart. Michelle Rocheford Johnston was sassy as Matron “Mama” Morton; her duet with Velma in “Class” was a highlight.

Kudos to choreographer Jennifer Kaye on her exciting dance numbers and Musical Director Nathaniel Baker and the small orchestra on their performance of the challenging score. Mr. Baker even had a few lines from the piano bench. Unfortunately, some actors’ lines were missed due to feedback or late activation of their microphones at the performance I attended.

The Repertory Theatre is located in the middle of a residential neighborhood but there is plenty of street parking. I was grateful for open seating when a nearby unhappy patron decided to stay after intermission, I simply moved to the other side of the auditorium.

Next up at the Rep is The Wizard of Oz with Mr. Michelsson as Scarecrow. Their 2105 season will include Gypsy, Hairspray, Noises Off, Young Frankenstein, and White Christmas.