Matunuck--Theatre By the Sea ends its 85th season with a bang, bringing Chicago to Rhode Island. The show is a popular choice amongst musical theatre lovers, having been produced by acting companies around the world since it first came to the stage in 1975. The songs are catchy, fun, and energetic, the plot is straight-forward and easy to follow, and the characters are strangely likeable, despite all of them being in it for themselves.
Because of this, most audience members are sure to have seen a production or two (or five) of the show, whether it was on a big Broadway stage, at a local college, or on the big screen. Of course the production most audience members will be familiar with is the 2002 movie, with a star studded cast that boasted Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, Queen Latifa as Mama Morton, Richard Gere as Billy Flynn, Lucy Liu as Go-To-Hell Kitty, Christine Baranski as Mary Sunshine, and John C. Reilly as Amos Hart.
It's always difficult to produce musicals that have been on the screen, because audiences have certain expectations for the show--especially for how the characters should look and act. Keeping audiences from boredly thinking "I've seen this all before" while simultaneously preventing them from considering the production "too different" from what they may consider to be the "true" version can be a daunting task. But Theatre By the Sea never shies away from the challenge. In recent years, the theatre has put on a great number of shows audiences will remember from the screen, including (but certainly not limited to) Little Shop of Horrors, 39 Steps, Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Grease, The Full Monty, 9 to 5, My Fair Lady, The Producers, Sister Act, and most recently Mamma Mia!
Instead of the conniving murderess, Jessica Wockenfuss portrays Roxie Hart with a dash of naïveté and hope that makes the character charming. When sharing the stage with others, Wockenfuss's Roxie may seem to be in control, but when she's alone we see a young woman who is vulnerable and scared. Wockenfuss's performance of "Roxie" shows the childlike side of the character, who is excited by her new fame, a fame this Roxie never saw coming.
Michelle Alves's Velma Kelly is famous for the murder she is accused of, rather than for having been a big-time jazz club singer. Because of this, Velma is desperate to hold onto her new-found fame so that she can start her solo career when she is finally acquitted--something she considers only a matter of time. In this production, Velma, too, is vulnerable, often frustrated and jealous of the attention shown to other inmates. While the script may not show this outright, Alves manages to bring these emotions to the forefront of the character none-the-less.
Mama Morton is played by Tarra Connor jones, who audiences are sure to remember from Theatre By the Sea's production of Ain't Misbehavin' earlier this season. jones brings her own vocal style to Mama, impressively belting out "When You're Good to Mama" while still blending her voice with Alves's during their duet "Class," which is sure to be an audience favorite.
Matthew J. Taylor, a newcomer to Theatre By the Sea's stage, is the suave Billy Flynn. Unlike his screen counterpart, this Billy keep her informed of what he plans to do every step of the way, making good on his frequent claims of always "playing square." Taylor makes audiences believe that Billy Flynn really does believe he is playing square, all while still portraying his sleazy, money-focused nature.
Zeta-Jones, Gere, and Zellweger in the 2002 movie
It's always difficult to produce musicals that have been on the screen, because audiences have certain expectations for the show--especially for how the characters should look and act. Keeping audiences from boredly thinking "I've seen this all before" while simultaneously preventing them from considering the production "too different" from what they may consider to be the "true" version can be a daunting task. But Theatre By the Sea never shies away from the challenge. In recent years, the theatre has put on a great number of shows audiences will remember from the screen, including (but certainly not limited to) Little Shop of Horrors, 39 Steps, Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Grease, The Full Monty, 9 to 5, My Fair Lady, The Producers, Sister Act, and most recently Mamma Mia!
Every one of these productions was a pleasant surprise, with the theater bringing its own style to the show while not being distractingly different from expectations. This production was also highly successful in this regard.
Instead of the conniving murderess, Jessica Wockenfuss portrays Roxie Hart with a dash of naïveté and hope that makes the character charming. When sharing the stage with others, Wockenfuss's Roxie may seem to be in control, but when she's alone we see a young woman who is vulnerable and scared. Wockenfuss's performance of "Roxie" shows the childlike side of the character, who is excited by her new fame, a fame this Roxie never saw coming.
Wockenfuss performs "Roxie"
Michelle Alves's Velma Kelly is famous for the murder she is accused of, rather than for having been a big-time jazz club singer. Because of this, Velma is desperate to hold onto her new-found fame so that she can start her solo career when she is finally acquitted--something she considers only a matter of time. In this production, Velma, too, is vulnerable, often frustrated and jealous of the attention shown to other inmates. While the script may not show this outright, Alves manages to bring these emotions to the forefront of the character none-the-less.
Alves performs "All That Jazz"
Mama Morton is played by Tarra Connor jones, who audiences are sure to remember from Theatre By the Sea's production of Ain't Misbehavin' earlier this season. jones brings her own vocal style to Mama, impressively belting out "When You're Good to Mama" while still blending her voice with Alves's during their duet "Class," which is sure to be an audience favorite.
jones performs "When You're Good to Mama"
Matthew J. Taylor, a newcomer to Theatre By the Sea's stage, is the suave Billy Flynn. Unlike his screen counterpart, this Billy keep her informed of what he plans to do every step of the way, making good on his frequent claims of always "playing square." Taylor makes audiences believe that Billy Flynn really does believe he is playing square, all while still portraying his sleazy, money-focused nature.
Taylor performs "All I Care About"
M. Houland shows off an astonishingly beautiful, operatic voice during "A Bit of Good in Everyone," and consequently audiences are sure to remember Houland's performance as Mary Sunshine for some time.
Houland as Mary Sunshine and Taylor as Billy Flynn
Last but certainly not least, Kevin Loreque plays Amos Hart, Roxie's husband. Playing the role can't be easy--always overlooked and ignored, Amos is supposed to be forgettable, almost a prop to the production rather than a character. The character only comes to the spotlight during his number "Cellophane," during which he laments how overlooked he is. Loreque did an outstanding performance of this number, showing audiences exactly why he was selected for this role.
Audiences are sure to love "He Had It Coming," performed by Alves and the supporting cast. The number is not only entertaining and funny, but the performers' high energy, dancing, and singing simultaneously is particularly impressive.
This is the final production for the 2018 season, which was also the theater's 85th anniversary. To mark this momentous occasion, the South Kingstown Town Council presented owner and producer Bill Hanney with an award on opening night of Chicago. The council noted that since the theatre first opened in 1939, it has hosted an impressive group of performers, including Carol Channing, Groucho Marx, Marlon Brando, and Judy Holiday. The council also noted that the theater has been closed a number of times, including most recently between 2003 and 2007, when Hanney reopened the historic theater.
Chicago will be playing at Theatre By the Sea Tuesdays through Sundays through September 9th; showtimes vary. Parents should be advised that the show contains sex, greed, and violence, and may not be suitable for all ages. Tickets are $49 to $75 and can be purchased in person or by phone at the box office (401-782-8587) or by visiting their website www.theatrebythesea.com.
Photos by Steven Richardson Photography
Loreque performs "Mr. Cellophane"
Audiences are sure to love "He Had It Coming," performed by Alves and the supporting cast. The number is not only entertaining and funny, but the performers' high energy, dancing, and singing simultaneously is particularly impressive.
The cast performs "He Had It Coming"
This is the final production for the 2018 season, which was also the theater's 85th anniversary. To mark this momentous occasion, the South Kingstown Town Council presented owner and producer Bill Hanney with an award on opening night of Chicago. The council noted that since the theatre first opened in 1939, it has hosted an impressive group of performers, including Carol Channing, Groucho Marx, Marlon Brando, and Judy Holiday. The council also noted that the theater has been closed a number of times, including most recently between 2003 and 2007, when Hanney reopened the historic theater.
Chicago will be playing at Theatre By the Sea Tuesdays through Sundays through September 9th; showtimes vary. Parents should be advised that the show contains sex, greed, and violence, and may not be suitable for all ages. Tickets are $49 to $75 and can be purchased in person or by phone at the box office (401-782-8587) or by visiting their website www.theatrebythesea.com.
Photos by Steven Richardson Photography
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