IF YOU GO• What: "Chicago"• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20• Where: Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.• Admission: $24.50-$28.50• Phone: 423-642-TIXS• Website: chattanoogaonstage.com
Greg Glover, center, as attorney Billy Flynn, sings his anthem, "All I Care About Is Love," complete with a chorus of fan dancers, including Ashley Brookman, left, and Kaylor Bennett, in a rehearsal for the Closed Door Entertainment production of "Chicago."A tale of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery - set to music - will be staged in Chattanooga this weekend by Closed Door Entertainment. Three performances of "Chicago The Musical" are scheduled Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20, in the Robert Kirk Walker Community Theatre at Memorial Auditorium.
Broadway's longest-running musical, "Chicago" is set in the Windy City during the Prohibition era. The story is based on a 1926 play by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, who was inspired by actual crimes she had covered. It is a satire on the corruption she saw in the criminal justice system.
"Chicago" tells the story of two rival murderesses doing time in Cook County Jail. Nightclub star Velma is serving time for killing her husband and sister after finding them in bed together. Chorus girl Roxie is locked up for bumping off the lover she was cheating on her husband with.
Prison matron Mama Morton and attorney Billy Flynn turn Velma's story into a murder-of-the-week media frenzy.
Closed Door, a local theater company, previously staged "Les Miserables," "Titanic the Musical" and "Shrek the Musical."
Proceeds from ticket sales go to the Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, foster family coalitions and other organizations.