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With the Right Song and Dance, You Can Get Away With Murder

August 31, 2007

Drama Department announces Chicago on slate for spring musical.

by Sarah Heath

IMG_1257.jpgThis spring the TJ Drama Department’s musical will be the hottest show you’ve ever seen; two brilliant Spartan staff members scored big by bringing the ever-popular musical Chicago to TJ.

Chicago is the racy story of a woman who dreams of making it big as a jazz singer in the 1920s only to be sent to jail for killing her lover. Readers may remember the story from the film version released in 2002 starring Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones. This production will be performed on a stage in the fashion of the original Broadway run powered by the infamous New York choreographer Bob Fosse. The stage musical was a huge hit in the seventies, traveling nation-wide. This spring Spartans can look forward to a musical, the likes of which has not been seen at TJ for many years.   "A big show, but done well…we’re going to do some really neat things really well," said TJ drama guru Michael Palmieri.

Edwina Hebert is the department’s Musical Director, and Palmieri is the Artistic Director. They are looking forward to this spring with great anticipation. Their excitement over the production was obvious when Palmieri said, "We both think that this will be a really fun show for the cast crew and audience. And also a really big step in the growth of TJ Drama."

To snatch the rights to perform the show, Palmieri sent a heartfelt letter to the owner’s of the play's copy rights. The show, including rights, scripts and music will cost the department only $3,000.

As for the racy nature of the show, Palmieri stated, "Any way you look at it Chicago is a little over the top. Our goal is to maintain the integrity of the show with the consideration that it is being performed on a high school stage. I guess you could say we intend to tastefully push the envelope."

The big band numbers will have live musical accompaniment. They’re leaning towards asking for the teaching staff's musical talents to mix with student musicians, the same group who helped play the score at last year’s Godspell. The big dance numbers will be choreographed by Carole Fulkerson. Hebert said, "Its really exciting, TJ kids getting their chance to shine in a big name show.  No one has done this in DPS since before 1985, if ever."

With auditions commencing after Thanksgiving break, everyone with an interest in the performing arts is welcome to try out. Palmieri stated that the drama team he coaches won’t get special privileges. The cast will be about thirty students. There are about ten individual speaking parts, with around twenty supporting chorus roles. All applicants are required to give an audition in singing, dancing, and acting, but Hebert emphasized that they’re not asking for everyone to have an outstanding talent in each field. She stated, "I don’t want a dancer to not try out because they can’t sing…we would love for every TJ student to at least audition."

In addition to the performers needed, there’s a marked call for behind-the-scenes work. Painters, builders, and people who can escort audience members to their seats should sign up, Hebert said. The musical will also need a hardworking technical crew for sound, lighting, set and scenery designers, as well as house and hospitality (i.e. ushers).

Palmieri shared his greatest hope for the show, "We want everybody to have a great time and good memories of working on, or seeing the show.  Both Ms. Hebert and I enjoy cutting edge theatre. We’re both committed to working as hard as we need to work to make Chicago, a great show which everyone will enjoy."

"We hope to sell out every night," Hebert added, with a smile.

The TJ journal will be following the production of Chicago with a series of articles throughout the year. For information direct from the source, ask Palmieri about his Chicago TJ shirt.

"It's just a noisy hall where there's a nightly brawl, and all…that…jazz." -Velma Kelly

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Written by Sarah Heath · Filed Under Drama, Headlines, Living & Arts