'Chicago' by Naugatuck Teen Theatre - My Review

Naugatuck Teen Theatre will present Chicago this weekend and next weekend, but I had the good fortune of attending a run through of the show at the beginning of their tech week. Actually it was the first time that these teens had run the show with the band, but I would never have guessed that based upon the quality of their amazing performances. Director Katherine Ray allowed me to stay until the end of the rehearsal, so I feel confident in posting a review, even though the programs are not yet printed. Bottom line: Don't miss it!

Chicago is a musical with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, with a  book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. It is set in prohibition-era Chicago and is based on a 1929 play of the same name by a reporter about actual criminals and crimes she reported on. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal," and therefore is a bit dark. Bob Fosse's style of dancing is strongly identified with the show.

The triple threats involved in this production rose to the challenge of the material. Ms. Ray coached them all to give their best performance and it showed, even at this rehearsal. After a while I forgot that the cast members are still in their teens.

Katie Stango of Middlebury (whose dad is Chuck Stango) played the wannabe vaudevillian and murderess Roxie Hart in a great red wig. Kristen VanDerlyn, most recently seen in Watertown High School's Leap of Faith, played the vaudevillian and murderess Velma Kelly in a great black wig. The girls shared that they find it funny that they get to be so mean to each other in the show, when in real life they are the best of friends. These two are fantastic actresses in everything they do and this was no exception, and their singing of the jazz score was perfect.

WAMS senior Zach Carter played lawyer Billy Fynn and he was mesmerizing. He was the perfect combination of flash and confidence and with the help of the ensemble, did an excellent job with "Razzle Dazzle." Another WAMS student Nolan Cummings took on the role of Amos Hart, the faithful and good-natured husband of Roxie who is not the brightest person in this group. Mr. Cummings nailed the comic elements of his character and he gave a great rendition of "Mr. Cellophane."

As Matron "Mama" Morton, WAMS junior MacKenzie Huneke is perfectly cast. She is precisely sassy as the prison matron on the take. Rhiannon Carta played Mary Sunshine in a yellow hat and coat, of course. "A Little Bit of Good" sung by Ms. Carta was one of the many highlights in this show. So was "All That Jazz."

Music Director TJ Thompson conducted the band that sat onstage. They embraced the wonderful score and added so much to the production numbers. The choreography by Jennifer Clark Mazzeo was Fosse perfection and the kids in the ensemble mastered the stylized steps. I could not take my eyes off these dancers (especially Michael Newman and Jason Begin) and I was glad that there was plenty of dancing in this show.

The arrangement of the tables and chairs in the house worked perfectly with the shape of the stage. Since the majority of the action takes place in jail, the setting is dark, but the stage itself will be well-lit. The costumes were easy on the eyes and fit the characters and the period.

The kids in this production clearly worked hard to get this show on the St. Michael's parish hall stage. I always enjoy the NTT productions, but this one was probably the best one I have seen by this group. I hope to catch this show again next weekend and I highly recommend that locals head to the home of Naugatuck Teen Theatre to see it as well.