After an amazing turn-out of local talent, Chicago director Shelagh Grasso has assembled a cast fully able to bring this iconic music to the Church Hill Theatre stage in June. With music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and choreography by Bob Fosse, the original 1975 show ran for 936 performances. It then won six Tony Awards and six Drama Desk Awards in its 1997 revival. The 2002 film adaptation won the Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year. All these versions were adaptations of a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins. The CHT production promises to bring the same Roaring Twenties vibe to Delmarva audiences.
Grasso sees parallels between the satirical Chicagopremise of 1926 and present day society, with fake news, gun violence, the Me Too Movement, corrupted justice, and media stardom all grabbing our attention. She turns the stage into a slightly seedy night club where Roxy Hart and Velma Kelly compete in a personal “merry-murderess” contest while sharing the same sleazy lawyer, Billy Flynn. The other featured actors are Matron “Mama” Morton, Mary Sunshine, and Roxie’s husband Amos. Members of the Ensemble are burlesque performers but also portray other characters as the plot develops. The cast and the band remain on the stage throughout the entire show, ensuring non-stop energy and interaction.
Taking center stage as the proud murderers, Krista Roark plays Roxy Hart and Kathleen Cummings plays Velma Kelly. Quin Hu represents both women as the lawyer Billy Flynn. Brian Whitaker plays the hapless husband, Amos Hart. Annie Sparks portrays the prison matron, Mama Morton, and JW Ruth is Mary Sunshine. Donald Roderick is Freddy, the guy Roxy shoots, and Scarlet Bishop plays Go to Hell Kitty.
A group of equally talented performers make up the Cell Block Tango, night club performers who briefly step into other roles during the show. These are: Erin Bradley, Chelsea Clough, Connie Fallon, Maya McGrory, Gabby Pfeifer, Reanna Sherman, and Suzanne Thuecks.
The night-club chorus, singing and dancing throughout the show, is comprised of Jane Copple, Kelly Elmwood, Heather Robuck, Donald Roderick, David Rosa, Elaina Rosa, Colleen Upp, Eddie Vance, and Christy Wells.
Chicago will run weekends from June 5-21, 2026, with performances at 7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2pm on Sundays. Tickets are available online at churchhilltheatre.org/tickets or through the box office at (410) 556-6003. The Hedgelawn Foundation has generously supported this show with a grant for the musicians.
