Beck Teen Theater Will Razzle Dazzle In “Chicago”

Beck Center Teen Theater presents "Chicago" on the Mackey Main Stage February 20 – March 1, 2015. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. A special student matinee performance is at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 26. Tickets are on sale now. Beck Center has established a PG-13 rating for this piece.

Based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, "Chicago" takes audiences back to the roaring twenties. With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, the story begins as Roxie Hart murders a man and convinces her husband Amos to take the rap. All goes as planned until he finds out he's been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and Velma Kelly vie for the spotlight to music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Together, these leading ladies search of the "American Dream" - fame, fortune and acquittal.

The cast of 20 dedicated Beck Center students ages 13 to 18 are more than ready for the challenge of presenting this musical to audiences. “'Chicago' is such a perfect piece for our teens for a variety of reasons,” said Director Jonathan Kronenberger. “In addition to offering challenges in acting, singing and dancing, it also provides great educational opportunities for the period and style. Originally, 'Chicago'’s subtitle was ‘A Musical Vaudeville’ so in this production we are embracing its vaudeville roots and bringing that style to the forefront.”

This production of "Chicago" features musical direction by Larry Goodpaster and choreography by Caitlin Elizabeth Reilly. Tickets are $12 for Adults/Seniors and $10 for Children (18 and under) and may be purchased online at beckcenter.org or by calling 216.521.2540 x10. Discounted group rates are available for student matinees and can be scheduled by calling Customer Service Manager Rennie Tisdale at 216.521.2450 x28.

Beck Center is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. Free onsite parking is available. This production of Chicago is presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. The 2014 – 2015 Youth Theater season is sponsored by First Federal Lakewood. Beck Center is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and the Ohio Arts Council.

Beck Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that offers professional theater productions on two stages, arts education programming in dance, music, theater, visual arts, early childhood, and creative arts therapies, outreach education programming, and gallery exhibits featuring local, regional, and international artists.