Nov. 13, 2024, was the opening night for Drury’s theater production in Chicago. Chicago is a 1975 musical set in 1920’s Chicago during the Jazz Age. The musical is a comedy turned satire on the apparent corruption of the justice system and celebrity fame gained and lost from abusing that corruption.  

Drury’s production of Chicago was directed and choreographed by Jordan Alexander-Holt. When asked about a favorite moment on or off stage, he answered, “How far we’ve come from where we were in August. And so many kids at all these different levels of experience and education…it’s just been really fun to see the growth, and to see the fact they can actually begin to see the show that they’ve been working on.” 

Someone from the cast that really rose to the occasion was Logan Harris who plays Billy Flynn. He shared with me his favorite thing about working on a show like this by telling me a bit about himself. “It’s my first big college production,” he stated. “And you know, it’s a big role for me that has a lot of firsts…So as an actor, of course, when I got the role, I was scared. Which every actor should be when they get the text message saying, ‘Hey, you got the part’…It’s been a learning experience, but it’s been a good one. I’ve enjoyed it.  

For those who do not know the story, here is a quick overview of the story. 

The show opens with Velma Kelly (Abby Humphries), who welcomes the audience to the show. While that happens, we are introduced to Roxie Hart (Shawna Stepp) who is having an affair with Fred Casely (Ben Fiske). While Fred tries to break off their affair, Roxie decides to make the completely sane decision to shoot Fred before he can leave. That is something I would think of doing but not act on.  

Roxie gets her husband, Amos (Kai Ousley), to take the blame, but it might have been smart to be completely honest before you ask someone to lie for you. After learning that it was Fred and not a random burglar, Amos gets mad at Roxie and at the peak of this argument Roxie confesses to the crime. She was immediately arrested and taken to Cook County Jail.  

Velma comes back and she is not excited for the newest edition to the cell block. Velma was originally the “it” girl of the week, but Roxie is taking her spotlight. Not only that, but she has taken her lawyer, Billy Flynn (Logan Harris). To salvage the fame she has left, Velma attempts to persuade Roxie to join her duo act she once performed with her sister. Roxie declines, thinking she can get farther on her own. Except, the next week there is a new crime and a new star.  

Roxie does the one thing that is bound to get her a glimpse of that game back, she tells everyone that she is pregnant.  

Of course, this gets her the much needed ten seconds of fame until her trial arrives. Billy tells the recreated false narrative of what happened, basing her case on the fact that what Roxie did was self-defense to protect her and the baby. Who would not side with a desperate mother who only wanted to protect her baby?  

 
Roxie is acquitted of her crimes, and when she thinks this is her last barrier stopping her from reaching fame. Someone else steals the spotlight by committing another crime for the media to cover and obsess over.  

Amos tries to comfort her and says he will take care of her and the baby. Tired of her dim-witted husband, she tells him she was never pregnant, and he decides to leave her for good. But Roxie does not need a man, she is Roxie! Women get the job done, especially when there are two. Velma and Roxie decide to do the duo act Velma had suggested earlier. 

My initial thought of their opening show was that the cast members were incredibly talented. Everyone was in the role that was made for them. I cannot explain how good the show was, you just had to be there to hear and see it. 

The crew was also amazing. The lighting was as much of a character as the cast. And the band was also so fun, I was glad they incorporated them in and did not just pretend they were not there. I am used to musicals having a pit; where they are all hidden under or around the stage. But it was fun being able to see all the music talent on stage!  

When I asked Stepp how she prepares for her role, she told me, “Lots and lots of breaks, lots of breaks, letting myself rest and not getting too in my head about it. So, I spent a lot of time practicing on my own and in rehearsal. And just kind of making sure I’m in the right headspace when I come into it.” 

Now, it was not perfect. But as a performer myself, recovery mid-performance is as impressive as a perfect show. The skill to recover is an amazing feat. It would be easy to surrender to the shame of doing something wrong and try to hide. But these performers embraced their mistakes and made a show of it. That is something that comes from lots of practice and dedication, which performers like Stepp prepare for with all the practice she does.  

“My favorite moment, actually, was the day after the election.” Humphries states. “Our director [Jordan], before we started rehearsal, kind of gathered us all around and said… And I know how a lot of us are feeling hurt and upset and betrayed. However, you voted, there’s a lot of emotions today, but I just need you to know that we are going to do what artists do whenever we have big feelings, we are going to create, we’re going to inspire, and we’re going to celebrate joy.” 

Now an art like theater is meant to inspire and draw you in to imagine the world they are trying to create with their performance. Sometimes what inspires us is what happens in real life. Or a show that was made years ago is still relevant today and makes people feel a certain way. It is beautiful to have an artistic outlet because people might not be alone in the way they are feeling. Through art, we can share a story that someone needs to hear or see.  

Photos courtesy of the Drury Theatre