Crime and celebrity collide in “Chicago: Teen Edition”
Middle Park High School presents the musical from May 8 to 10
Staff Report

Middle Park High School Theatre Department/Courtesy photo
Students in Middle Park High School’s theatre department will present their production of “Chicago: Teen Edition” from May 8 to 10. Audiences can catch the shows at 7 p.m. each of the three evenings at the high school.
The story follows Roxie Hart, a chorus girl turned housewife, who dreams of being a vaudeville star. After she murders her lover, she convinces her naive husband, Amos, to take the blame — but the truth comes out, and Roxie ends up in jail.
There, she meets Velma Kelly, a seasoned performer who is in prison for murdering her husband and sister. Both women hire the slick lawyer Billy Flynn, who manipulates public opinion and turns every client’s story into a media circus.
Velma and Roxie compete for the media spotlight with all the classic glamour you can imagine. In the end, showbiz wins the day as they team up to make the most of their celebrity.
The musical, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual women criminals of the era. The music is by John Kander and the lyrics by Fred Ebb.
Framed as a vaudeville show, the popular musical is actually a satire on the corruption in the criminal justice system and the concept of “celebrity criminals,” something that’s still just as relevant, if not more, today.
Each number in the show resembles a specific type of act — such as a ventriloquist routine, a magic show, or a sad clown act — and provides a lens for viewing every moral question or human emotion as a spectacle.
While “Chicago: Teen Edition” has been adapted to remove overtly sexual references and most adult language, audiences should note that the adaptation remains true to the original version and includes mature themes and images.
The cast for this production is led by seniors Nathan Chua (Billy Flynn), Sabra Forquer (Velma Kelly), and Tyler Maurais (Amos Hart) with juniors Bella Binkley (Mary Sunshine), AJ Feacher (Matron “Mama” Morton) and Vallie Mace (Roxie Hart).
Theatre professionals Christopher Lengerich (choreographer) and Mary Nye Bennett (costume designer) have provided invaluable instruction and assistance for the school’s production.
Tickets will be available at the door: adults $10, youth $5. Community seniors and East Grand School District students and staff attend for free.
Performers
Senior Kendi Smith (featured dancer)
Juniors Toby DeLoach (Annie), Kari Hanson (featured dancer), Reese Kervin (Emcee), and Jax Redmond (Mona)
Sophomores Zanna Berman (Reporter/Judge), Forrest Cramer (Harrison), Lewis Forquer (Fred Casely), Maddi Geib (Clerk), Bea Hanson (Reporter), Collin Huntington (Detective Fogarty), Riley Piller (Reporter), Maija Relyea (June) and Morgan Huntington (ensemble)
Freshmen Elena Binkley (featured dancer), Iliayah Redmond (Hunyak), Gretta Roehrs (Emcee/Veronica), Freddie Stokeld (Harry/Guard/Juror), Maisy Martin and Lilah van der Walt (ensemble).
Eighth grader Kate Huber (Liz)
Production Team
Middle Park Alumni Paddy Aither (audio engineer) and Ruthie Everhart (production manager)
Seniors Bridget Aither (lighting director), Keaton Fox (set work/run crew), Kaylee Hoover (technical director/lighting designer), Logan Kielley (set work/run crew), Tyler Maurais (student director) and Jacob Zeleznikar (set work/run crew)
Juniors Calleigh Bobo (costume design team lead), Vyla Clark (sound director), Reese Kervin (student director), Walker Peterson (lighting designer/technician), Lillian Sloan (costume designer) and Baleigh Smith (stage manager)
Sophomore Roman Warner (lighting designer/technician)
Freshmen Peyton Anderson (wardrobe and sound assistant), Shaila Sandholm and Addisyn Shippey (props managers)
Eighth grader Alex Kervin (sound technician)

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