The Theatre In the Grove started off the spring season with a bang and presented the musical “Chicago.”
The high-octane, sexy musical sold out twice while running at TITG. At its closing matinee, the play started late because so many people were lined up outside the theatre trying to buy tickets. The staff had to bring in extra chairs to accommodate the audience.
“Chicago” was directed by Ken Centers, who also directed “Cabaret” last year.
Jenny Hauser starred as Roxie Hart and lit up the stage with herw electrifying rendition of the highly renowned Broadway character. Her co-star Jody Coffman, who starred as Velma, still managed to steel the spotlight at times with her powerful voice.
The male lead role, Billy Flynn, was played by James Grimes, a regular at TITG. He has acted in many performances over the years but is best known for staring in “Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat.”
Along with the exciting performances by Hauser, Coffman and Grimes, “Chicago” was backed by a stellar ensemble that dressed scantily, danced wildly and sang with soul. Three Pacific students, Kailea Saplan, Dion MacDonald and Alex Hintz, played parts in the ensemble. The group molded together to form a united cast that proved highly entertaining.
Centers is known for incorporating his wife and son in the shows he directs and did the same with “Chicago.” His wife played Mama Morton while his son worked as costumer and set designer, making the production a real family effort.
The show has come to a close now, the cast party finished and TITG is already looking forward to it’s next production; “39 Steps.”
There is no rest for the people involved in show business and the actors are already looking for their next gig. But for those lucky enough to have attended this version of “Chicago”, they know there are good things to come
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