[New post] Sterling Miracle Players jazz it up with ‘Chicago’
Callie Jones posted: " They have plenty of singing and dancing talent that's for sure, but these starlets are better known for committing murders that make sensationalized headlines across the city. Meet the criminals and decide for yourself if "he had it coming" when Sterl" Sterling Journal-Advocate
Velma Kelly (Jaci Yula) and Roxie Hart (Shauna Snyder) argue as they perform "All That Jazz" in a scene from Sterling Miracle Players' production of "Chicago." (Callie Jones/Sterling Journal-Advocate)
Roxie Hart (Shauna Snyder) shoots her lover Fred Casely (Josiah Perez) in a scene from Sterling MIracle Players' "Chicago." (Callie Jones/Sterling Journal-Advocate)
The Merry Murderesses perform "Cell Block Tango" in a scene from Sterling Miracle Players' production of "Chicago." From left; Liz (Kaitlin Mentzel), Annie (Kara Bellendir), June (Kylee Harless), Hunyak (Cassidy Brekel), Velma Kelly (Jaci Yula) and Mona (Kori Maier). (Callie Jones/Sterling Journal-Advocate)
Superstar lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Ontiveros) introduces himself as he sings "All I Care About" in a scene from Sterling Miracle Players' production of "Chicago." (Callie Jones/Sterling Journal-Advocate)
Sergeant Fogarty (Sean Mitchell) questions Roxie's husband, Amos (Jacob Reyes), following the death of Fred Casely, while police officer (Roland and Devon Strobel) look over the body and Roxie (Shauna Snyder) sings "Funny Hunny," in a scene from Sterling Miracle Players' production of "Chicago." (Callie Jones/Sterling Journal-Advocate)
The cast of Sterling Miracle Players' upcoming production of "Chicago" performs "All That Jazz" during a rehearsal for the show. (Callie Jones/Sterling Journal-Advocate)
Mary Sunshine (Madison Trahern) and her fellow reporters (Molly Mitchell and Mariana Gonzales) take down notes as Roxie's cases moves ahead in a scene from Sterling Miracle Players' "Chicago." (Callie Jones/Sterling Journal-Advocate)
Roxie Hart (Shauna Snyder) tries to seduce her husband Amos (Jacob Reyes) into taking the fall for the murder she committed in a scene from Sterling MIracle Players' production of "Chicago." (Callie Jones/Sterling Journal-Advocate)
Rockstar lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Ontiveros) prepares to present Roxi Hart's case in court while singing "Razzle Dazzle" in a scene from Sterling Miracle Players' production of "Chicago." (Callie Jones/Sterling Journal-Advocate)
Roxie Hart (Shauna Snyder) and her dance company (Roland Strobel, Sean Mitchell, Devon Strobel, Anthony Gallegos, Josiah Perez and Jacob Reyes) sing "Roxie" in a scene from Sterling Miracle Players' "Chicago." (Callie Jones/Sterling Journal-Advocate)
Director Dana May has a conversation with cast member Jaci Yula before rehearsal for Sterling Miracle Players' production of "Chicago." (Callie Jones/Sterling Journal-Advocate)
They have plenty of singing and dancing talent that's for sure, but these starlets are better known for committing murders that make sensationalized headlines across the city. Meet the criminals and decide for yourself if "he had it coming" when Sterling Miracle Players presents "Chicago" Sept. 8-11.
"I wanted to do 1920s, something fun, not so serious. I wanted something simple and fun, just something that felt like a party," director Dana May said about why she chose "Chicago" for this year's production.
While she may have wanted simple, in true SMP fashion, it ended up being more elaborate than originally planned. New this year, the orchestra is joining the cast on stage in a pit located above all the action that was built by May's husband, Ryder and while the costumes could have been fairly easy that's an area May readily admits she tends to go overboard on and she had no shortage to choose from, as she has been collecting flapper dresses for years.
Set in 1920s Chicago and based on real-life murders and trials, "Chicago" follows Roxie Hart (Shauna Snyder), a wannabe vaudevillian star who murders her lover and is arrested, despite her attempts to convince her pushover husband, Amos (Jacob Reyes), to lie for her. In the Cook County Jail, Roxie meets her hero, the famed double-murderess and nightclub performer Velma Kelly (Jaci Yula). When both acquire the same lawyer, the greedy and lustful superstar, Billy Flynn (Richard Ontiveros), tensions come to a head as they vie for the spotlight – though instead of onstage, they're mugging for the flashbulb of the newspaper reporters.
Although May promises SMPs' version of "Chicago" is community friendly, it is still rated P-13 for strong language, sexual references and adult situations, so parental discretion is advised.
Many of the cast members, but not all, were already familiar with the Broadway hit, so when they found out "Chicago" was selected for this year's show they were pretty excited, but also a bit nervous knowing how much work it would take to nail the jazzy dance and song numbers.
Sean Mitchell, who plays Judge/Sergeant Fogarty/Ensemble Member #2 and 4 didn't hesitate to join the cast, as he wanted to do one last show with his daughter, Molly, who is part of the ensemble cast. He is quite proud of the choreography work she has done in addition to her acting part, especially "Cell Block Tango."
Reyes, who has been a part of SMP productions for a number of years now, said he keeps coming back because it's fun being on stage. This year he is really excited to be playing a role that was once played by one of his heroes, John C. Reilly.
"It's also nice to be with the younger generation and see them flourish," he said.
For Ontiveros, this is his first show with PMP and he said he particularly likes all the snazzy costumes they get to wear. Another cast member, Devon Strobel, who plays Martin Harrison and Ensemble Member #6, was in SMPs' productions of "Aladdin" and "Winnie the Pooh" many years ago and this year decided to return to the stage at the convincing of his girlfriend, Madison Trahern who plays Mary Sunshine and is a longtime SMP cast member.
"It's cool because it brings different groups of people together, you'll get athletes, you'll get the wallflower kids, you'll get the kids that don't like being involved in anything but theater, so it's just fun to be with all different types of people and at the end of the day we're all here for the same reason (to have fun)," said Yula, who has also been in a number of SMP productions.
For Yula and Snyder has been challenging to play a character they weren't planning on. When the two auditioned they wanted to play each other's characters, so when they found out they got the opposite roles it was a surprise.
"It's interesting playing a character I wasn't planning on, I wasn't really interested in at first," Snyder said.
Other cast members include: Michele Rios as Matron "Mama" Morton; Roland Strobel as Aaron and Ensemble Member #5; Anthony Gallegos as Harry, Juror, MC and Ensemble Member #7; Josiah Perez as Fred Casely and Ensemble Member #11; Kori Maier was Mona and Ensemble Member #3; Tiffany Blecha as Go-To-Hell Kitty and Ensemble Member #8; Kara Bellendir as Annie and Ensemble Member #9; Kylee Harless as June, Court Clerk and Ensemble Member #1 and 10; Cassidy Brekel as Hunyak and Ensemble Member #23; and Kaitlin Mentzel as Liz and Ensemble Member #13.
Additional ensemble cast members are Addison Pasko, Molly Mitchell, Mariana Gonzales, Stayci Blecha, Faith Cole, Dylan Kaiser and Link Werner.
Providing the soundtrack are orchestra members Don Johnson, bass and banjo; Janelle Nicolaus, saxophones; Lee Lippstrew, percussion; Laurianna May, clarinets; David Mitchell, trombone; Izaiah Wilkins, percussions; and Annette Lambrecht, keyboard.
Helping out behind the scenes are Jaci Yula and Molly Mitchell, choreography; Ryder May, lights and set design; Tyson Urrutia, sound; Dana May and cast, costumes; Taylor Maier, Roland Strobel and Devon Strobel, set assistants; and Sterling High School theater class, set painters.
The cast hopes to see a large crowd at this year's shows. If you like jazzy music and funny characters and want a chance to see a professional theater production without having to drive two hours to Denver, this is one you won't want to miss.
But before that, if you happen to end up with a big red shoe and a bunch of glittery little shoes in your yard, don't worry, SMP is jazzing up people's yards for a fundraiser. Simply give a donation and then pass it on to another person.
Show times for "Chicago" are 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 through Saturday, Sept. 10 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Sterling High School auditorium. Tickets are $10 for the evening shows and $5 for the Sunday matinee and are available at the door.
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