2008 Woodie Awards
And All That Jazz ...
Valley's performance of "Chicago" brings a tale of adultery, murder and deceit to the Mainstage Theatre.
Anna Goldberg
Issue date: 4/6/05 Section: Valley Life
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Valley College students will find themselves in a world of cold murderers and hot jazz as they travel to "Chicago," a 1975 Fred Ebb-Bob Fosse- John Kander musical with a sinister plot and funny dialogue.
"I've always loved [Chicago]. It's a fun show," said Peter Parkin, Valley's theater department chair and director of the musical. "I wanted to do it because no one has done it for awhile. I had hard time getting the rights for it."
Finally after nearly 10 years, Parkin got his chance. Finding the right cast for the show wasn't an easy task.
"They have to be able to sing, dance and act," said Parkin. "And that's not easy to find on a college campus, but I'm happy with the people who were chosen."
The 19-person cast, with Marjorie Vander Hoff doubling as choreographer, and Madison Gray in the lead roles as Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly will dazzle the audience with sexy costumes, energetic dance numbers and catchy songs.
The plot revolves around Roxie Hart, a married woman who is not satisfied with her life. She has a brush with the law after she murders her lover in cold blood.
"[Roxie] is an interesting person," said Hoff. "She has a deluded sense of truth. She lives in her own world. And she's a star of that world."
Roxie meets Velma Kelly in prison and the two begin a rivalry not just over their lawyer, Billy Flynn, played by Eric Billitch, but also for the place in the spot light created by the media's obsession with celebrity.
Although Gray, who will soon earn her AA degree in theater from Valley, is not a stranger to the stage - she was in Valley's productions of "Our
Town" and "Reunion" - this is her first major role.
"I love her because she's bad," Gray said when asked what draws her to the character. "She's a strong woman and is doing what she wants."
The cast was accompanied by a six-piece band led by Jennifer Kelly, associate professor of music and director of choral activities at Valley, creating a feel of a 20s night club.
While acknowledging its own efforts, the cast credits the success of the show to its director.
"Peter Parkin made this show this great," said Ron Loetz, the 31-year-old theatre major who plays Amos Hart, Roxie's naïve husband. "He
pulls it out of you."
"Chicago" will be at Valley's Mainstage Theatre Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9. For more information or to purchase tickets call 818-947-2352.
 Media Credit: cynthia Perry / Special to the Star RAZZLE-DAZZLING - The cast of "Chicago" finds Roxy Hart not guilty of murder in this sideshow style courtroom scene. |
"I've always loved [Chicago]. It's a fun show," said Peter Parkin, Valley's theater department chair and director of the musical. "I wanted to do it because no one has done it for awhile. I had hard time getting the rights for it."
Finally after nearly 10 years, Parkin got his chance. Finding the right cast for the show wasn't an easy task.
"They have to be able to sing, dance and act," said Parkin. "And that's not easy to find on a college campus, but I'm happy with the people who were chosen."
The 19-person cast, with Marjorie Vander Hoff doubling as choreographer, and Madison Gray in the lead roles as Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly will dazzle the audience with sexy costumes, energetic dance numbers and catchy songs.
The plot revolves around Roxie Hart, a married woman who is not satisfied with her life. She has a brush with the law after she murders her lover in cold blood.
 Media Credit: cynthia Perry / Special to the Star JAZZ BABIES - Madison Gray and Marjorie Vander Hoff play two jazz-era murderesses dueling for fame and fortune in Valley College´s production of "Chicago." |
"[Roxie] is an interesting person," said Hoff. "She has a deluded sense of truth. She lives in her own world. And she's a star of that world."
Roxie meets Velma Kelly in prison and the two begin a rivalry not just over their lawyer, Billy Flynn, played by Eric Billitch, but also for the place in the spot light created by the media's obsession with celebrity.
Although Gray, who will soon earn her AA degree in theater from Valley, is not a stranger to the stage - she was in Valley's productions of "Our
Town" and "Reunion" - this is her first major role.
"I love her because she's bad," Gray said when asked what draws her to the character. "She's a strong woman and is doing what she wants."
The cast was accompanied by a six-piece band led by Jennifer Kelly, associate professor of music and director of choral activities at Valley, creating a feel of a 20s night club.
While acknowledging its own efforts, the cast credits the success of the show to its director.
"Peter Parkin made this show this great," said Ron Loetz, the 31-year-old theatre major who plays Amos Hart, Roxie's naïve husband. "He
pulls it out of you."
"Chicago" will be at Valley's Mainstage Theatre Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9. For more information or to purchase tickets call 818-947-2352.
