Students in the Rod Serling School of Fine Arts are hard at work bringing to life the upcoming performance of Chicago: Teen Edition, which takes place March 8-10 at the Binghamton high School Helen Foley Theatre.
The story takes place in the city of Chicago during the Roaring Twenties. Roxie Hart convinces her husband Amos to take the fall for Roxie’s murder of a man with whom she was having an affair, that is until he learns that he’s been set up and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to prison, Roxie and fellow inmate Velma Kelly fight for public fame from behind bars.
BHS junior Olivia Ehmke plays Roxie Hart, and she says that in these final few practices before the curtain raises on the show, she’s focusing on polishing her portrayal of the main character.
I feel like I’ve been spending a lot of time on my movement, my dancing, and remembering my lines, so now I want to try to look at Roxie and her character and get more the acting aspect of it,” Olivia explains. “What do I (Roxie) want? What are the stakes?... Portray that and give more emotion to my lines now that I’ve memorized them.”
Anyone who is aware of this show and the time period when it takes place knows that there is a heavy emphasis on the costumes in this performance – flapper dresses, skirts, and more. While the performers were spending their last few practices scrambling to get lines and dance steps correct, BHS sophomores Zion Honnick and Joseph Lamoree are helping put final touches on costumes and making sure everything is where it needs to be.
“I like keeping things organized so I’ve been doing a lot of that,” Zion adds. “I’ll be excited to see all the costumes on stage.
Below are the showtimes for Chicago:Teen Edition at the Helen Foley Theatre. Tickets cost $8 for general admission, and $6 for students and senior citizens.
Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday March 10 at 2 p.m.
Chicago: Teen Edition is a modified version of the famous musical Chicago. The teen edition removes adult language and overtly sexual references, as well as the songs “Class” and “A Bit of Good”. The musical still may not be suitable for young children, so parents should exercise their judgment when bringing children to the show.
Chicago: Teen Edition Cast List (in order of appearance):
First Emcee: Cyrus Webster
Second Emcee: Gabriella Turner
Velma Kelly: Evelyn Barron
Fred Casely: Ethan Beauzile
Roxie Hart: Olivia Ehmke
Amos Hart: Cameren Pagan
Fogarty: Jasper Barrera-Burns
Liz (Pop): Madelyn Taylor
Annie (Six): Etana Murray
June (Squish): Paige Testa
Hunyak (Uh uh): Finch Schatz
Mona (Lipshitz): Suquaya Miles
Matron “Mama” Morton: Annetta Turner
Tap Soloists: Etana Murray and Finch Schatz
Billy Flynn: Robert Somers
Mary Sunshine: Eve Krasno (Friday/Sunday performances), Ruby Plummer (Thursday/Saturday performances)
Reporter: Niko Goldin
Kitty: Lydia Thompson
Harry/Judge: Lane Rynearson
Third Reporter: Khadasia King
Harrison: Abigail Gonzalez-DeLeon
Clerk: Oli Kennedy-Richardson
Juror One: Alyssa Honnick
Singing Ensemble: Jasper Barrera-Burns, Jesi Cureton, Riley Denis, Alyssa Honnick, Khadasia King, Oli Kennedy-Richardson, Gabriella Simmons, Eve Krasno/Ruby Plummer
Dance Ensemble: Etana Murray, Paige Testa, Madelyn Taylor, Finch Schatz, Ethan Beauzile, Elizabeth Brewer, Niko Goldin, Abigail Gonzalez DeLeon, Olivia McKan, Suquaya Miles, Lane Rynearson, Lydia Thompson