Oak Bay High brings the teen version of Broadway classic Chicago to the local stage starting Friday.
Students perform under the leadership of Heather Day, Steven Price and Tim Bradshaw for a fifth consecutive show. The musical dates back to 1975 and so does the inspiration, with Day harkening back to the original director and choreographer.
“We are happily paying homage to Bob Fosse … these kids have been working incredibly hard to pull off some of his signature moves,” says Day, a huge Chicago fan.
The musical was re-popularized with a star-studded 2002 film version that included Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah and Richard Gere.
In the Oak Bay High version, Grade 12 student Olivia Bowyer-Smyth – who played the lead Little Mermaid in the 2022 high school musical – stars as Roxie Hart.
“In my graduating year I can’t believe I got such an incredible role. Roxie has great songs and is an amazing character. I never imagined I’d play such a wild role and doubt I ever will again,” she said with a laugh.
Watching the transformation of this cast and crew as they embraced this demanding piece has been incredibly gratifying, for Bradshaw.
“While it doesn’t have the crystal clear moral imperative of Fiddler or the mass appeal of Mermaid, if you dig a little deeper and embrace the irony of the ‘heroes’ of the piece, it shouts a clear message that resonates to this day,” he said, referencing prior shows.
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Stella White – who portrayed Ariel in the school’s Tempest last month – stars as Velma Kelly and Oliver Wiwcharuk-Burr plays sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn.
“I am regularly amazed at all the talent at this school, this has been an incredible experience,” said Wiwcharuk-Burr, a newcomer to Oak Bay.
Based on a 1926 play of the same title by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, about crimes she reported on, the show is set in Chicago in the jazz age.
“The kids are enjoying and rising to the challenge of a new style of music … if you aren’t familiar with the songs or the 1920s style of jazz these kids are performing, you’re in for a treat,” Price promises.
The show runs March 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. as well as a March 5 matinee at 2 p.m., in the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd.
Visit oakbay.sd61.bc.ca and look for ‘Chicaco Tickets’ in the quick links on the left for tickets – $10 for students and seniors and $12 for adults.
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christine.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
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