“Chicago” starts off with a bang, quite literally.
When Roxie Hart shoots her secret lover she is sent to the Cook County Jail where she vies for attention from the media and tries to launch her career as a vaudeville star. All the while, she competes for the spotlight against fellow inmate, Velma Kelly.
Friday night Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s performance of the show left the audience razzled and dazzled, begging for more.
Abdulai Adam, 18, was one member of the crowd left in awe.
“It was hilarious! The dancing and cast was awesome,” Adam said.
With such an iconic show like “Chicago,” standards are high, and this performance did nothing but exceed expectations.
Amazingly, there were no lulls and every scene was better than the next. The whole performance flowed flawlessly.
The cast and crew captured the essence of the show and the flavor of the era. It found a way to include the vaudevillian aspect so prominent in the 1920s, giving the crowd a peek into a style-filled with quirky dance routines and harebrained jokes.
It was truly remarkable how the entire cast, given such well known roles in musical theatre, each managed to stay true to the character while still making it their own.
Joanie Brosseau-Beyette plays incomparable Roxie Hart. Brosseau-Beyette put a fire into the fame-hungry character that couldn’t be matched. Her captivating portrayal, reminiscent of Betty Boop, was a joy to watch every time she graced the stage.
The sheer simplicity behind each performance was phenomenal. There was no over acting, just small moments, like a wink or a giggle, that would add depth and humor to their character.
The true stand out performance of the night was from Wayne Kennedy, who played Amos Hart, Roxie’s pushover husband. Even with a simple number like “Mister Cellophane,” about going through life unnoticed, Kennedy left the audience cheering.
Jen Keys, 48, was very impressed with Kennedy’s performance next to all the scantily dressed females.
“For all the ‘T &A’ going on he really held his own,” Keys said.
At one point in the middle of the first act, an unexpected large chunk of ceiling fell in on the middle of the stage, forcing the show to be paused for clean up.
The crowd was taken aback at first, not knowing if this was part of the act. But in keeping with the caliber of the show the cast quickly regained composure and drew the audience back in.
Visiting the Boulder’s Dinner Theatre is an interesting experience where the cast of the show also waits on you. When the star of the performance serves you a slice of apple pie it breaks down the wall between performer and audience.
First timer to Boulder’s Dinner Theatre Cindy Allegretti, 56, said she really enjoyed the close proximity to the actors.
“I liked it a lot! It’s way more personal,” Allegretti said.
The show came to a close with the finale “Hot Honey Rag,” where Velma and Roxie come together and perform the Charleston, complete with bowler hats and canes. The lights went out and the only sound heard was the enthusiastic applause and shouts from the elated audience.
For tickets to “Chicago,” running through May 9, call the box office at (303) 449-6000, or order online at http://www.bouldersdinnertheatre.com/.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Amanda Moutinho at Amanda.moutinho@colorado.edu.
