February 15, 2018: The Keegan Theatre is excited to announce the March 10, 2018 opening of the legendary musical CHICAGO. With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording, and two Olivier Awards. The production, directed by Susan Marie Rhea and Mark A. Rhea, features music direction by Jake Null and choreography by Rachel Leigh Dolan.
CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media, and her rival cellmate Velma Kelly by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.
“A triumph! It doesn’t just give us the old razzle dazzle; it glows.”
— Time Magazine“Fosse’s best work, uncompromising and with real strength showing in every idea and image.”
— Newsweek
CHICAGO features Maria Rizzo in the role of Roxie Hart, alongside Keegan newcomer Jessica Bennett as Velma Kelly. Keegan Company Members Kurt Boehm and Michael Innocenti play Billy Flynn and Amos Hart, respectively. They’re joined by Ricki Howie Lacewell as Matron “Mama” Morton and Chris Rudy as Mary Sunshine. Stephen Russell Murray, Mike Kozemchak, Katie McManus, Heather Gifford, Jennifer Hopkins, Jillian Wessel, Amber Jones, Melrose Pyne, Lance Hayes, Rj Pavel, Will Hayes, and Kaylen Morgan round out the cast.
“Obviously, producing CHICAGO is a dream come true for us,” says Susan Marie Rhea, Keegan’s Artistic Director. “Our space and artistic approach is a perfect fit for this classic tale of the intersection of celebrity and criminality. As always, the intimacy at Keegan will shed new light on the story, and this group of extraordinary performers — some our audiences already know and love, and several newcomers we can’t wait to introduce to our audiences — are breathing life into this show in thrilling ways.” CHICAGO reunites the same artistic team that brought audiences Keegan’s much acclaimed productions of HAIR and AMERICAN IDIOT, and Rhea is delighted by the reunion. “Working with Rachel (Dolan, choreographer) and Jake (Null, music director) again is like coming home for me and Mark – this artistic team works beautifully in sync, and there’s no one else with whom I’d rather be working on this tremendously exciting project.”
CHICAGO runs March 10, 2018, through April 7, 2018. The Press Opening is Tuesday, March 13, 2018. This is Keegan Theatre’s 21st season performing in Washington, DC.
