Chicago Cast in Stone

Drama Dept. announces talented Chicago cast.
by Sinjin Jones

They came, they sang, they conquered. After the extensive three-day audition schedule and callbacks, the cast list for the TJ Drama Team production of Chicago has been posted.

The audition process was three-pronged. On November 27th and 28th, Chicago hopefuls gathered outside of the choir room for singing and dancing auditions. They were charged to memorize a two to three minute monologue, a two to three minute excerpt of a song, and to perform it in front of the three directors: Drama Coach Michael Palmieri, Music Director Edwina Hebert, and Choreographer Carole Fulkerson.

“All of the auditions were extremely good,” Hebert said. “It made our job very difficult.”

After the singing/acting auditions were complete, it was time for dance. At lunch on the 26th and the 27th, students were taught a 32-count dance. They were asked to perform in groups of four for the trio. “The dance was pretty difficult,” Fulkerson said, “but everyone did fairly well.”

With the auditions over, the directors needed to take another look at things. The callback list was posted and actors were given a chance to strut their stuff one more time on the stage of the Little Theater. They were allowed to practice and then perform pieces from Chicago for the group.

After all was said and done, the cast list was finally posted; this after two weeks of uncertainty. The directors have made their decision and, drum roll please…

Cast List:

Velma Kelly – Devi Browne
Roxie Hart – Aubrey Becker
Fred Casely/Master of Ceremonies/Bandleader – Sinjin Jones
Sergeant Fogarty – Erik Neal
Amos Hart – Chris Wolter
Matron – Blair Moore
Billy Flynn – Nelson Barry
Mary Sunshine – Aaron Loffelmacher
Kitty Baxter – Jacqui Cromer

Cell Block Girls:
Liz – Melissa Fife
Annie – Natalee Pinson
June – Valerie Bussart
Hunyak – Mina Bradley-Belcaid
Mona – Angelica Mills