Columbian to present 'Chicago'

This weekend, Columbian High School is to present the Broadway musical "Chicago, High School Edition." Performance dates are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and on April 1 and 2. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased at the Administration Building, 244 S. Monroe St. Set in Chicago in the jazz age, "Chicago" is an American musical based on the play by Chicago Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual criminals and crimes she reported on. Under the direction of Mike Steyer, the story of "Chicago" centers around two murderesses — Velma Kelly (a Vaudeville performer) who has been sent to jail for murdering her husband and sister — and Roxie Hart. The two met in the Cook County Jail under the watchful eye of warden Matron "Mama" Morton. Roxie is in jail for the murder of her boyfriend, Fred Casely, who has always idolized Velma, but she is not happy to see her as she is not only stealing her limelight, but also her lawyer Billy Flynn. The spectacle and hijinks ensue. Cast members are as follows — Kennedy Lachner (Velma Kelly); Amilia Knisely (Roxie Hart); Katherine Albright (Matron "Mama" Morton); Griffin Ringle (Fred Casely); Isaac Cortez (Billy Flynn); Weston Runion (Amos Hart); Annalyce Bowles (Mary Sunshine); John Bailey (Police Detective); Dancers are Whitney Johnston, Paris Salyer, Kora Scott, Casey Vasko, Riley Wagner and Madison Wise as Dancers; Courtney McGinnis, Trisha Shuck, Kylee Thom, Quinn Hernandez and Haley Welter as the Women in the Cell Block; and Dylan Reid, Samantha LeGrant, Jordon Stansbery, Joaquin Perez, Charlie Noftz, Autumn-Belle Stephens, Juliannah Haudenshild, Miranda Fisher, Archie Stephens, Ella Reis and Cole Newlove as various characters and ensemble. The student stage crew members are Billy Bremyer, Brooke Johnston, Elise Johnston, Lily Luzader, Chloe Hoover, Carlea Adams, Chloe Steele and Sarah Thacker. The remaining crew members are Cory Ridge as musical director; and Lindsey Stine is the choreographer and an assistant director. Other staff members include Chris Joyce, assistant director; Joan Ledwedge, production assistant; Amy LeGrant, stage manager; and Nick Smith, technical director. Members of the orchestra are Cory Ridge, Cole Newlove, Rylan Clarkson, Ralph Wingert, Rye Kistner, Grace Blonde, Cameron Gaietto, Owen Szablewski, Curtis Steele, Bret Rose and Nikki Kleba.