"Chicago" at Playhouse on Park a snazzy, dazzling musical
WEST HARTFORD — Murder and mayhem set to jazzy numbers is what you’ll get at the dynamic, lively production of “Chicago” at the Playhouse on Park running through July 24.
Although this long-lived show is currently running on Broadway, there’s no reason to travel all the way to the Big Apple to enjoy this sexy blockbuster musical, because there is a super production right here in Connecticut.
The plot, based on a true story, follows the fortunes of murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart.
They killed their lovers and are enjoying their time on the cover of the newspapers, trying to leverage their notoriety into successful vaudeville careers in Chicago during the 1920s.
They both have the same sleazy big-time lawyer, Billy Flynn, played by Doug LeBelle.
The show has a cabaret sensibility, with everyone in black, and the gals in revealing, tight-fitting lingerie.
Directed by Darlene Zoller, who also does the choreography, this show lives up to all that “razzle-dazzle” of Bob Fosse jazz dance numbers.
The fabulous, fit ensemble of women and men sing and dance their hearts out and deliver a powerful one-two punch.
The band, lead by Colin Britt, is alone worth the price of admission.
Even with the drums behind a sound screen though, they are too loud in the beginning and overpower the singers, who are miked.
It would be great if they would crank up the volume on the miked singers so they could be heard over the band. Towards the end of the show the singers could be better heard at a recent Thursday night
show.
These songs, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, are classics, including the snazzy opener “All That Jazz” sung by the fine Elise Murphy who plays the street-wise Velma.
Bethany Fitzgerald is everything she needs to be as the murderess Roxie who has grand ambitions to be a star. She’s married to a simple, lovable looser who doesn’t have much going for him named Amos.
Rick Fountain Jr. plays the sad-sack Amos who sings that terrific number “Mr. Cellphane” and lives up to his sorry lot.
Keisha Gilles makes her presence known in a big way as Matron “Mama” Morton when she belts out her entrance song, “When You’re Good To Mama.”
Thao Nguyen plays the sympathetic reporter Mary Sunshine with a gorgeous operatic voice, but really needs to articulate more, because the words are incomprehensible.
The set is simple but functional with a two-tiered platform, all in black. Set design by stage manager Rick Bell.
Rape, murder, and mayhem actually appear like fun pastimes at this deliciously dark and energetic production of “Chicago.”

3 ½ Stars
Theater: Playhouse on Park
Location: 244 Park Road, West Hartford
Production: Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Music by John Kander.
Lyrics by Fred Ebb. Directed and choreographed by Darlene Zoller.
Music direction by Colin Britt. Production stage manager and set
design by Ryan Bell. Lighting design by Tim Hache. Costume design by
Erin Kacmarcik.
Running time: 2 hours plus a 15-minute intermission
Show Times: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. through July 24.
Tickets: $22.50-$32.50. Call the box office at 860-523-5900 ext. 10,
or visit their website at www.playhouseonpark.org
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Elise Murphy … Velma Kelly
Bethany Fitzgerald … Roxie Hart
Rick Fountain Jr. … Amos Hart
Doug LeBelle … Billy Flynn
Keisha Gilles … Matron “Mama” Morton
Thao Nguyen … Mary Sunshine
Erica Misenti … Liz
Hannah Kaplan … Annie
Carolyn Cumming … June
Lindsay Adkins … Hunyak
Laura Helm … Mona
Ramona Piretti … Go-To-Hell Kitty
Michael O’Brien … Fred Casely
Joseph Fierberg …. Harry, Martin Harrison
Tim Hache … Doctor, The jury
William Macke … Sgt. Fogarty, Aaron, The Judge
Spencer Pond …Bailiff, Court Clerk