Video and photos: Music Theatre of Denton to present Chicago

by Katherine Grivna of North Texas Daily

Music Theatre of Denton will bring some razzle-dazzle to the Campus Theatre tonight as it presents the musical Chicago.

The show is set in roaring '20s Chicago, telling the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife with big aspirations who murders her lover. In an effort to avoid the slammer, she pins the murder on her husband, Amos, who seeks revenge on her when he finds out.

While awaiting her trial, Roxie meets Velma Kelly, a vaudeville celebrity. The two battle it out for publicity and headlines as they try to escape their murder convictions to live a life of fame and fortune.

The show premieres at 7:30 tonight, Friday, October 9, at the Campus Theatre on the Denton Square.

“Everyone in this cast is so talented,” said Jennifer Ehrhart, who plays Velma Kelly. “Everything is such high quality, it’s almost equivalent to what you’d see on a Broadway stage.”

This show is different from the 2002 movie because each song has different vaudeville acts within it.

“I hope they can come and enjoy it and appreciate it and respect it for what we’ve done with it,” she said.

Ehrhart also played Velma in a college production of Chicago 13 years ago and was happy she could reinvent the role, she said.

Velma’s sassy, diva-like characteristics allow her to bring out her secret alter ego and be full of herself, Ehrhart said.

Those who attend Oct. 15’s rehearsal of Chicago have the opportunity to donate to the Zoë Foundation, an organization that helps orphans in Africa.

“Us singing and dancing up there might just help somebody in the audience have a good two hours and not think about the problems at home,” Ehrhart said, “but if we can actually reach out there and help somebody halfway around the world with what we’re doing in a little town in Texas, then that speaks volumes.”

Joanna Cawthon, an interdisciplinary studies sophomore, plays Roxie. For her first leading role, she enjoys portraying the passionate character who acts before she thinks.

“It kind of gives me a chance to find that person in me that kind of just lets it all go and stops worrying about what everyone else thinks and only thinks about herself,” Cawthon said. “I’ve never been that way, so it’s kind of fun.”

The show also features a live jazz band and women dancing around in their underwear — something students would enjoy, assistant director Clay White said.

Tickets are $10 for students and $18 for adults.

For more information, visit www.musictheatreofdenton.com.