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Community Corner

Chicago at the Willows

Classic musical opens Saturday at the Cabaret.

It’s not surprising that “Chicago” became one of Broadway’s biggest hits.  The Roaring 20s musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse has great songs, hot choreography and a sensational courtroom plot.  Think celebrity criminals are a 21st century phenomenon?  In Roxie Hart, “Chicago” gave the theater world one for the ages.

The Willows Theatre returns to Martinez this week with a new production of the musical, and managing director David Faustina says audiences at the Campbell Theatre can expect plenty of heat onstage.

“It’s one of those stories that’s really timeless,” says Faustina, “just a great, sultry, sexy musical.  It’s kind of a hybrid between vaudeville and nightclub, and I think that staging it in the intimate Campbell Theatre will really enhance that.”

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“Chicago,” which features the characters of Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly and Billy Flynn - along with songs including “All That Jazz” and “Razzle Dazzle” – has gone through several incarnations.  Based on a 1926 play by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, the musical premiered on Broadway in 1975 and ran for 936 performances.  With music and lyrics by Kander and Ebb, and choreography by Fosse, it starred Chita Rivera as Velma, Gwen Verdon as Roxie and Jerry Orbach as Billy.

The show was revived in 1996 and is still running on Broadway after nearly 6,000 performances.  The revival won six Tony awards, including Best Leading Actress in a musical for Bebe Neuwirth.  A film version, released in 2002, starred Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere and Queen Latifah.

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The musical has been such a runaway hit, Faustina says the Willows production almost didn’t happen. 

“We were going to do it in 2009, but because of the national tour, the rights were restricted,” he explained.  “We feel very lucky to be able to do it now.”

Directed by Willows artistic director Eric Inman, the new production features Kerry Wininger as Roxie, Nicole Helfer as Velma and Mark Farrell as Billy.  Rachel Robinson is the music director, and La Tonya Watts, who contributed the dance sequences for the Willows’ recent “Once on This Island,” returns as choreographer.

Faustina says that audiences who know “Chicago” from the film version may be surprised by Inman’s production.  “It’s quite different from the movie,” he says.  “Eric is taking a unique approach, and I think people will really enjoy it.”  Faustina says that Robinson will lead a live three-piece band, and that Watts, who studied with Fosse disciple Anne Reinking, is making the dance numbers sizzle.

Asked to name his favorite “Chicago” song, Faustina doesn’t hesitate.  “It’s ‘All That Jazz’,” he says.  “It’s so upbeat and exciting, and what they’re doing with it is so much fun.”

Faustina, who along with Inman assumed directorship of the Willows in November last year, believes “Chicago” is a good example of the new approach the company is taking.  “We’re constantly seeking ways to make this theater fresh and vibrant and young,” he says.  “I think this production will show the community the kinds of things we’re planning to do.”

“Chicago” opens May 14 at the Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward Street.  Performances continue Thursdays through Sundays, through June 12.  Tickets are $22-$32 with discounts for students and seniors.  The opening night performance is sold out, but tickets for remaining performances are available at 925-798-1300 or www.willowstheatre.org.

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