Chicago @ Winslow Township High School

Greed! Exploitation! Corruption! "All those things we hold near and dear to our hearts" played out on the stage of Winslow Township High School this weekend in their production of Chicago Teen Edition.

Based on the 1926 play of the same name, Chicago ran on Broadway from 1975 to 1977. It returned to the mainstage in its 1996 revival, which now stands as the longest-running American musical in history with over eleven thousand shows. Set in the Jazz Age, it tells the story of the daring debutante Roxie Hart as she is tried for the murder of her former lover alongside several other "Merry Murderesses". The show critiques the time's sensationalism of crime, showing how the truth is often obscured by theatrics.

Winslow's production of Chicago brought the book of Bob Fosse to a contemporary stage with a standout set, sharp vocals, and a strong ensemble. Their production kept audiences either amazed by the talent of the actors or appalled by the debauchery of their characters, as it played out in front of them.

Rilissa Mazzeo entranced the audience and jury with her sultry performance of Roxie Hart in many notable songs including "Funny Hunny," where she blended sarcastic adoration and the rage of betrayal with velvety vocals. Meanwhile, Bryant Deshields played the sleazy two-faced lawyer Billy Flynn, executing the classic ventriloquism of "They Both Reached for the Gun" seamlessly, both physically and vocally.

The supporting cast further impressed with several standout actors. Aleesia Charles' Velma Kelly commanded the stage with a strong presence and robust belting from the opening number "And All That Jazz" to the closing duet "Nowadays." Deklan Monroe brought the multifaceted character of Amos Hart to stage with emotional acting which illustrated the complexity of the role, evoking both pity and empathy in "Mr. Cellophane". Accompanying the impressive leads and compelling supporting cast were the Dance and Vocal Corps led by Hannah Velez and Jaeda Soto respectively. With tactful execution of choreography, the Dance Corp stood out in numbers like "Cell Block Tango" while the Vocal Corp provided passionate backing in "When Velma Takes the Stand." The recurring comedy of the MC played by Javaun Samedi kept audiences informed and entertained as he opened multiple scenes.

The technical prowess of Winslow's crew compounded the terrific work of the cast. Background lighting was used to convey both the inner motivation of characters and their tone using bright flashes in "They Both Reached for the Gun" to insinuate dishonestly and a rolling blue in "Mr. Cellophane" to reflect Amos' genuine sadness. The set also stood out allowing the cast to utilize a variety of levels and included creative illuminated set pieces while omitting Chicago's traditional integration of the band.

While it may be concerning how easily justice is lost, Winslow's Chicago proved how with a little "razzle dazzle," "They let ya get away with a murder," especially when "he had it coming".