Celebrity, Sex, Murder...And All That Jazz!

In the spring of 1924 the country was in the midst of Prohibition, yet Chicago pulsed with excitement and prosperity as the city reveled in its contempt for the law. For women, it was a place where they enjoyed new freedoms - they were welcomed in Speakeasies, wore shorter skirts, drank more liquor and packed guns! As Prohibition backfired, Cook County Jail filled with young women accused of murder. Their stories riveted the city becoming fodder for the media and entertainment for the masses.

Maurine Watkins, a young journalist, was assigned to cover the 1924 trials of murderesses Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner for the Chicago Tribune. Watkins was just one of the many reporters who worked hard to boost the sultry images of the inmates to sell papers. Watkins focused on the sensational aspects of the two “jazz babies” corrupted by men and liquor, characterizing Beulah as “beauty of the cell block” and Belva as “most stylish of Murderess Row,” and helped turn the female criminals into stars. The lust for publicity—to provide it, to be its object, or to consume it—in these early days of the mass media was a new phenomenon.

Two years after Belva Gaertner’s trial ended, fed up with the newspaper business, Watkins quit the Tribune and moved east to study playwriting at Yale University. For a class assignment she wrote The Brave Little Woman, later renamed Chicago, with the murderer-turned-celebrity Roxie Hart based on Beulah Annan, nightclub-singer-turned-murderer Velma Kelly inspired by Belva Gaertner and the murderesses’ lawyers William Scott Stewart and W.W. O’Brien as the inspiration for the composite character, Billy Flynn. Watkins hoped to expose how the emerging celebrity culture had corrupted the newspaper business and the legal system. She managed to vent her frustrations, severely criticizing the “Murder City” without losing her sense of humor. The play scored laughs with its audience and made its way to Broadway in 1926. Chicago, directed by the legendary George Abbott, was a solid hit and ran for a respectable 172 performances, then toured for 2 years with a then unknown Clark Gable appearing in a Los Angeles production as Amos Hart. Chicago went on to inspire two movies: a silent film in 1927 produced by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Phyllis Haver as Roxie Hart, and in 1942 Roxie Hart starring Ginger Rogers. However, in this version, Roxie was accused of murder without having really committed it in order to conform to the Production Code, which regulated moral guidelines for Hollywood films at the time.

In the 1960s, Gwen Verdon, one of Broadway’s biggest stars, read the play and asked her husband, acclaimed choreographer Bob Fosse, about the possibility of creating a musical adaptation. Fosse approached Watkins numerous times to buy the rights, but she repeatedly declined. In her later years, Watkins had become a born-again Christian and believed her play glamorized a scandalous way of living. However, upon her death in 1969, her estate sold the rights to producer Richard Fryer, Verdon and Fosse. John Kander and Fred Ebb were brought on board and began work on the musical score, modeling each number on a traditional vaudeville number or a vaudeville performer. Fosse’s trademark choreographic style fit perfectly with the theme - sexually suggestive forward hip-thrusts, the vaudeville style of hunched shoulders and turned-in feet and the amazing, mime-like articulation of hands. Ebb and Fosse penned the book of the musical, with Fosse also directing and doing the choreography.

Chicago opened at the 46th Street Theatre on June 3, 1975, with a cast that included Gwen Verdon (Roxie), Chita Rivera (Velma) and Jerry Orbach (Billy). The show enjoyed a run of 898 performances and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, but lost out in every category when A Chorus Line swept the awards. As a result, Chicago remained quietly in the shadows, one of Broadway’s most underappreciated gems, until 1996 when it was revived on Broadway with choreography by Ann Reinking “in the style of Bob Fosse.” The 1997 production spawned a national tour and went on to win six Tony Awards including “Best Revival of a Musical.” It is now the sixth longest-running production in Broadway history and has become a worldwide phenomenon with productions in 24 countries and 11 languages. The record-breaking London production of Chicago continues to hold the record as the longest-running American musical in West End history. In 2002, Rob Marshall directed and choreographed a film version of the musical which went on to win six Academy Awards including Best Picture.

SALLY STRUTHERS (Matron “Mama” Morton) is a two-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner for her performance in the groundbreaking series “All in the Family.” She starred in the Fox television series “9 to 5” and her own CBS series “Gloria.” Her recurring roles include the CBS comedy “Still Standing” and the CW’s highly acclaimed “Gilmore Girls.” Sally was “heard” as the voice of the teenage dinosaur Charlene Sinclair in the ABC prime-time series “Dinosaurs.” She is the voice of Pebbles Flintstone on the “Pebbles and Bam-Bam” cartoon series and the lead female character on the popular Disney cartoon “Tailspin.” Struthers’ television movies include: “A Gun in the House,” “And Your Name is Jonah,” “The Great Houdinis,” “Hey, I’m Alive,” “In The Best Interest of the Children,” “Deadly Silence,” “My Husband is Missing,” and “Intimate Strangers.” Sally co-starred in two legendary motion pictures in the 70s: “Five Easy Pieces” with Jack Nicholson and “The Getaway” with Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw. She was featured in two independent films: “Out of the Black” and “A Month of Sundays” with Rod Steiger. Sally made a cameo appearance for actor/writer/producer Mario Van Peebles in the Sony feature “Baadassss!” Sally’s first two Broadway forays were in Wally’s Café with Rita Moreno and Jimmy Coco and in Neil Simon’s female version of The Odd Couple with Brenda Vaccaro. For three years she starred as Miss Mamie Lynch on Broadway and on tour in the Tommy Tune production of Grease. In the 20th Anniversary National Tour of Annie, Sally played the coveted role of Miss Hannigan. Sally was named Best Actress by the Los Angeles Artistic Director Theatre Awards for her role as Louise Seger in the musical, Always...Patsy Cline. She won the 2003 Ovation Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Agnes Gooch in the Los Angeles production of Mame. She has starred in regional productions of Hello, Dolly!, Anything Goes, The Fifth of July, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, All Shook Up and The Full Monty. For thirty years, Struthers has worked to help the hungry and uneducated children everywhere. She has visited these children in the United States and many Third World countries, and has filmed numerous public service announcements and documentaries on their behalf. Her favorite child is her daughter Sam.

GEORGE DVORSKY (Billy Flynn) is thrilled to be back at the Ogunquit Playhouse where he has starred in 1776, My One and Only, Damn Yankees, Brigadoon, Carousel, and Broadway’s Best Sings Gershwin. Broadway: title role in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Passion, Marilyn: An American Fable and The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. Off-Broadway: Pete n Keely, Dames At Sea and ‘And The World Goes Round. George starred in the NYC Premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella as Prince Charming at Lincoln Center where he also played Tommy in Brigadoon. He was featured in PBS’ “Passion: Live at Lincoln Center” starring Patti LuPone and starred with Bea Arthur and the Boston Pops in “Bernstein’s Broadway” also on PBS. His solo CD, In the Still of the Night is available on the JAY Records label. More info at www.georgedvorsky.net

ANGIE SCHWORER (Roxie) is honored to return to the Ogunquit Playhouse after playing Irene in Crazy For You in 2007. Broadway credits: The Producers (Ulla) with Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, Young Frankenstein, Chicago, Sunset Boulevard, Crazy For You, Annie Get Your Gun, Tenderloin at Encores! Series and The Will Rogers Follies. Regional credits: Catch Me If You Can World Premiere (slated for Broadway in the Spring), Minskys (Ginger), The Full Monty with Sally Struthers (Vicky Nichols) and Damn Yankees (Lola). Television: “Law and Order: CI,” “Queer Eye,” “As the World Turns,” “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” and The Kennedy Center Honors Tributes to Mel Brooks and Kander and Ebb Film: The Producers. Love to the love of her life Rich, Amanda and Alec, her Kentucky family and of course Gerry Mac!

RACHELLE RAK (Velma) is making her debut at the Ogunquit Playhouse. She is thrilled to share the stage with her long time friend Angie Schworer. Broadway Credits: Fosse, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Oklahoma, The Look of Love, Thou Shalt Not & Cats. National Tours: Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Starlight Express, Sunset Blvd. She is featured in the film Every Little Step (the making of A Chorus Line). Rachelle teamed up this year with music writer Martyn Axe who co-wrote her first Solo Album “SAS.” It is available on iTunes and her music video by Daniel Robinson can be seen on YouTube. She was trained by her mother Rosalene Kenneth in Pittsburgh. She teaches children all over the world and is grateful for her dance school back ground. Much love and thanks to Andy Hoey and her friend Anthony Maslo and his sassy team of ladies. www.rachellerak.com

PAUL KREPPEL (Amos) 2007 Tony Award winner for co-producing/directing/conceiving Jay Johnson: The Two And Only! Acting credits include the original NY productions of Godspell, NY Shakespeare Festival’s Comedy of Errors and Alice in Concertalso The Proposition, Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh, My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish and I'm in Therapy and the national tour of Jerome Robbins' Broadway. Television credits include starring as Sonny Mann in the 80's comedy "It's A Living" with appearances from “Laverne & Shirley” to "That '70's Show." Paul also has extensive directing credits for television and stage. Love to Mom, Murphy, Will, Molly and Irv. www.paulkreppel.com

A.W. MARKS (Mary Sunshine) made a professional debut in 1992 as a soloist with the Kansas City Symphony. Marks has since performed with the Des Moines Symphony, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Wichita Symphony, and the Vivaldi Traveling Virtuoso (NYC), just to name a few. Marks has also performed as soloist in Rome, Paris, London, and Berlin. Concert soloist to celebrate/honor an evening with Richard Maltby and David Shire (Merkin Concert Hall, NYC). Marks has not only been seen in classical venues in the US and abroad, but on musical theatre stages as well. Marks has been seen Off-Broadway in SIDD (New World Stages), The Screams of Kitty Genovese(Theatre at St. Clements), Civil War Voices (Abingdon Theatre), Wilde at Heart (Emerging Theatre), Backstage at the Funky B (Producer’s Club). Toured nationally 30th Anniversary Tour of Ain’t Misbehavin with American Idol winner Rueben Studdard. Marks was opening act for the late great Ray Charles Orpheum Concert Tour. Marks is proud to be the voice of “Ugly” Duckling (HONK!) which has been recorded 1st American Cast Recording. Proud member of AEA!

SCOTT AHEARN (Fred Casely) Ogunquit debut! Thoroughly Modern Millie (Trevor Graydon III), The Full Monty (Keno), and Forever Plaid at Colorado’s Arvada Center; Best Little Whorehouse at the Phoenix Theatre; Carousel (Carnival Boy, Billy understudy). He toured Europe in Grease (Kenickie), and on film, he can most recently be seen as a crime-fighting Belgian kickboxer in Live Till You Die. He thanks the amazing group of family and friends who got him here (funny story actually), as well as the whole Playhouse crew for this wonderful time together.

KIMBER BENEDICT (Swing) was recently seen in Ogunquit Playhouse’s Spamalot. She originated the role of Carolina in Introducing Harry Warren: The Tin Pan Alley Years at Ryan Repertory Theater. Past credits include dancing on Celebrity Cruise Lines, Chorus Line (Val), and Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie). In 2009, Kimber graduated Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University with her BFA in dance. A heartfelt thank you goes to Robert, Gerry, and the cast and crew of Chicago. “To Mom; for now, for always.”

IAN CAMPAYNO (Swing) is thrilled to join the cast of Chicago at Ogunquit Playhouse. Ian has most recently been seen traveling the country in the national tours of The Wizard of Oz and CATS. Other Credits: Hello, Dolly! with Rachel York, Cabaret (Emcee), 42nd Street, The Rocky Horror Show, and others. BFA Musical Theatre, Shenandoah Conservatory. Thanks to my family, friends and Barry for their love and support.

MARK RICHARD DICONZO (Martin Harrison/ Doctor) Originally from Portland ME, Mark is a featured singer in the 2010-2011 Carnegie Hall Concert Series with the New York Pops. Recent credits: singer/dancer in the National Tour of The Producers, Sky Masterson (Guys & Dolls), The Engineer (Miss Saigon), Alex (I Love A Piano), and as Mark Wagner in Gary Kings nationally acclaimed feature film New York Lately. Currently starring in and choreographing for the upcoming movie musical How Do You Write a Joe Schermann Song. Special thanks to his amazing Mother, Kelly, and extended family for putting up with his buffoonery! www.MarkDiConzo.com

HILLARY ELLIOTT (Kitty) is thrilled to be back at the Ogunquit Playhouse for the third time, after performing in past OP productions of Chicago (as Go-To-Hell Kitty) and Hello, Dolly! She graduated with a BA degree in dance from the University of California, Irvine, and went on to perform as a showgirl in various shows in Las Vegas and Paris. She has performed in many regional theatre productions, including Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Hair, and Crazy For You. Many thanks and hugs to the entire OP production staff, and to my wonderful Mom and Dad. Purrrrrrr.

JILLIAN HELMS (Hunyak) is thrilled to be spending the fall in Maine and becoming a part of the Ogunquit Family. Originally from Northern Virginia she is happy to be living in New York and fulfilling her dream. Credits: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Rockette) Tour: Cabaret (Ensemble) Regional: Crazy For You and Peter Pan (Theatre By The Sea). A special thanks to her friends and family for all they have done over the years. www.jillianhelms.com

PATRICK N. LAVALLEE (Baliff, Court Clerk) Ogunquit Playhouse: Spamalot, Originally from New Hampshire, Patrick loves performing in New England and enjoying lobstah. B.A. in Performing Arts from OCU. National Tours: Movin’ Out Sargent O’Leary, 42ND Street Andy Lee. Regional: (TBTS) The Producers Bryan, Crazy for You Custus, (MTW) Thoroughly..Millie Speed Tapper, Seven Brides... Jeb,Wizard of Oz Nikko, (Palace theatre) West Wide Story Arab, The Full MontyKeno, Pippin Lewis. Patrick has also performed on RCCL and toured Taiwan. Thanks to his family, friends and LA.

IVORY MCKAY (Judge) is excited and ready to make his Ogunquit debut in Chicago. Ivory just finished performing in For the Glory and The Producers both at Flat Rock Playhouse! Other favorite theatre moments: Judah in Joseph...starring Jon Secada and Dreamgirls starring Jennifer Holliday (both at Atlanta TOTS), Jacob in La Cage Aux Folles (Reagle Music Theatre), Protean in A Funny Thing Happened... (Denver Center), Monsieur D’ Arque in Beauty and the Beast (Northern Stage), Anxious in West Side Story (MUNY) and the Fiddler in Fiddler on the Roof (Sacramento Music Circus)! God Bless and Enjoy the Show!

JACLYN MILLER (June/Dance Captain) is thrilled to be making her Ogunquit debut! National Tours: Happy Days (Swing/Dance Captain). Favorite credits include: Sweet Charity, Once Upon a Mattressand Annie Get Your Gun. In addition to performing, Jaclyn has had several incredible opportunities to Assistant Direct and/or Choreograph around the country; working for Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and AMT. “To Mac and Bash- the two reasons I laugh, work and survive through the chaos. All my love and gratitude.”

ALEX NORDIN (Aaron) is thrilled to be making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut in Chicago. A New York City transplant originally from the Sunshine State, Alex recently appeared as Will Parker with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Favorite regional credits include Footloose (Willard), Singin’ in the Rain (Production Tenor), West Side Story (A-rab), The Fantasticks (Matt), The Rocky Horror Show Live!, Kiss me Kate, and Anything Goes. Immense gratitude to his family and friends, Gerry, Michael, and the entire Chicago team. You guys rock! This one’s for Conrad.

ROD ROBERTS (Sgt. Fogarty/Foreman) is thrilled to be at Ogunquit this season! He’s been seen on Broadway in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and London’s West End in the Harold Prince/Susan Stroman production of Show Boat (Frank Schultz). Tours appeared in: Kiss of the Spiderwoman, A Chorus Line, Guys and Dolls, Cats, Beauty and the Beast, Show Boat, Peter Pan, and toured with Rita Moreno in Concert. Regional: Kiss Me Kate, On The Town, Peter Pan (Paper Mill Playhouse), White Christmas (Denver Center), and Half A Sixpence (Goodspeed Opera House).

MEGHAN STARR (Mona) Ogunquit debut! National Tour: Cats (Demeter). Regional: Sugar(Westchester Broadway), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Gateway Playhouse), Bye Bye Birdie (Pittsburgh CLO), Annie (Star-to-Be), Cabaret (Helga). A proud Cleveland native and NYU graduate (BFA from Tisch, CAP21), Meghan is thrilled to spend oyster season in Maine, performing in her first production of Chicago. Love and thanks to her super supportive friends and family!

SHAWNA WALKER HALLINAN (Annie) graduated Point Park University with a B.F.A. degree in dance. She has worked with choreographers such as Robert Battle, Margo Sappington, Daniel Ezralow and Sam Watson. She has also worked with Stiletto Entertainment on Holland America ships on voyages to Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean. Last summer, she performed in Guys and Dolls and All Shook Up at the Ogunquit Playhouse. She is absolutely thrilled to be back for another season performing in Chicago. She sends her love to her husband, Michael and both their families.

STEVEN WENSLAWSKI (Harry) is delighted to be making his Ogunquit debut! He most recently appeared in Dallas Theater Center’s revisal of It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman. National tours include Spamalot, Dr. Dolittle (the Tommy Tune edition), Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Fosse. Regionally, he has worked with such theatres as the Kennedy Center (Carnival!), Sacramento Music Circus, and North Shore Music Theatre, among others. He is also an avid pianist and an eager accordionist.

KISA WILLIS (Liz) is thrilled to be a part of the Ogunquit family and a vivacious entity of this sizzling show! Some recent credits include: Off Broadway: Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe (Classical Theatre of Harlem). Regional: The Odyssey Experience (McCarter Theater); Hope Speaks; Green Honey Love; Scandalous People (NY Fringe Festival); Jekonni’s Song (Alliance Theater). TV/Film: Misunderstood(Showtime); “Law & Order: CI.” She thanks family and friends for constant love and support. www.KisaWillis.com. Keep Watching...

GERRY MCINTYRE (Director/Choreographer) Soon of a Mornin- Off Broadway Lions Theatre, Once On This Island- Martin Beck Theatre, Virginia Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, La Mirada Theatre (Robby and Drama Logue award for best director, Ovation nomination for choreography and best musical) Ain't Misbehavin- Actors Theatre, Chicago- Ogunquit Playhouse Joseph....Dreamcoat- starring Diana Degarmo and Anthony Federov, Lyric Theatre Bells Are Ringing- Pasedena Playhouse Anything Goes- Madrid Theatre as a Choreographer- Side By Side-Berkshire Theatre Fest. A Saint She Ain't- Westport Playhouse Laura Comstocks Bag Punching Dog- (LA weekly nomination Best Choreography) TV- "Rosie O'Donnell Show," "Designing Women," "Major Dad," "Golden Palace" as a perfomer. Broadway- Chicago, Once On This Island, Anything Goes, Uptown It's Hot, Joseph...Dreamcoat a role for which he was one of three Americans chosen to be in the movie starring Donny Osmond. He is about to choreograph Sammy and Me at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. He is also in the award winning documentary "After The Storm."

Ken Clifton (Musical Director) returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse after the paramount success of Sunset Blvd. Previous Ogunquit credits include All Shook Up, Guys & Dolls, Les Misérables, The Producers, Fiddler on the Roof, The Full Monty, The King and I, La Cage aux Folles. Hello, Dolly!, and Menopause, the Musical. He is thrilled to escape New York City for a little while. Ken is a musical director, vocal coach, and composer/lyricist. He’s conducted musicals up and down the East Coast. Disney uses his writing in Orlando and Tokyo. His project appearing on the Disney Cruise Line was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra. He has written two full length musicals, Midnight Clear and A Christmas Carol, both produced in Florida. Ken wrote the music and lyrics to the opening production number of 2007’s Rose Bowl Parade. He has played on “Live with Regis and Kathy Lee” and CNN’s “Larry King Live.” Ken had the great pleasure of coaching Oscar® Award winning actress Jennifer Hudson on her final call-back for “Dreamgirls.” He has also coached at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Music.

Jason Hindelang (Production Stage Manager) Broadway credits include Finian's Rainbow, Passing Strange, Pal Joey, The Ritz, The Coast of Utopia and Awake and Sing!. Other NY credits includeApartment 3A, It Goes Without Saying..., Ivanov, and Fat Pig. Regional credits include The Last Five Years, Macbeth, A Man for All Seasons, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, The Night of the Iguana, and Amadeus (all for Berkshire Theatre Festival).

PAUL BREWSTER (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be part of this company closing out the Playhouse's great season! Ogunquit Playhouse: The Sound of Music (ASM); All Shook Up (AD); Jr. Player's Jack and the Beanstalk (Director). Favorite Stage Management Credits: The Punishing Blow(Clurman, Theatre Row) The Orphan's Home Cycle (Signature Theatre Co./Hartford Stage Co.); Forgotten World (Public Theater/Sundance Institute); The Pillowman (Astoria Performing Arts Center). Many thanks to Gerry Mac, Jason, Brad and Robert.

BRADFORD T. KENNEY (Executive Artistic Director) now in his fifth season in stewardship of “America’s Foremost Summer Theatre,” Mr. Kenney is proud to include many wonderful theatrical productions and the guidance of some of the most significant theatre companies in New England as part of his career. Some Ogunquit highlights include last season’s Singin’ in the Rain and the all-star production of Guys & Dolls, as well as My Fair Lady, Les Misérables, Hairspray, Lorenzo Lamas in The King and I, Rue McClanahan in Crazy for You, Sally Struthers in Hello, Dolly!, Andrea McArdle in Cabaret and Leslie Uggams in Cinderella. While at Foothills Theatre in Worcester, MA, he produced many shows including: Miss Saigon, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Proof, Cabaret (National Regional Premiere), Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Dick and Jimmy Van Patten in The Sunshine Boys, Titanic The Musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Regional Premiere), Macbeth, Ten Little Indians, Chicago, Gypsy, Our Town and Ragtime. He is also founder of the Wachusett Theatre Company in Massachusetts with shows such as The Sound of Music, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Disney/Elton John’s AIDA (Northeast Regional Premiere), Ted Lange from “The Love Boat” in Damn Yankees; and Eddie Mekka in Fiddler on the Roof, among others. His children’s theatres have produced Disney’s Jungle Book Kids, Seussical TYA (Northeast Premiere), Willy Wonka Jr., andDisney’s 101 Dalmations Kids, and the new production, Fairy Houses, The Musical. In addition to his producing credits, Brad has appeared on stage in the title role of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Sorcerer with Salisbury Lyric Opera, Strephon in Iolanthe with the Savoyard Light Opera, Billy Bigelow in Carousel, Barrett the Stoker in Titanic, Eric Burling in An Inspector Calls, Christopher Wren in The Mousetrap, Bobby in Company, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, the King in The King and I, Cornelius in Hello, Dolly! and Oberon in Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as many other roles in shows throughout New England. He is a fourth generation artist, having studied at Rhode Island School of Design, Heartwood College of Art and Maine College of Art. For Tucker and Ryan Francis Curtis.

ROBERT LEVINSTEIN (Associate Producer/Casting Director) A resident of New York City, this is Robert’s 8th season with the Playhouse, where he was previously the Production Stage Manager and Director of Production. As a Stage Manager, he worked on Broadway: Waiting in the Wings (with Lauren Bacall and Rosemary Harris), Voices in the Dark (with Judith Ivy), Parade (with Carolee Carmello and Brent Carver), Off-Broadway: Clue: The Musical, and National Tours: Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Camelot (with Michael York and Rachel York) and the hit revue Forbidden Broadway. Regional credits include PSM for North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA 2000/2001 seasons as well as Production Stage Manager for major theatres throughout the country. Originally from Southern California, Robert is also the producer of the new musical Something Wicked This Way Comes, based on the Ray Bradbury novel and the studio recording of the show that features Brent Barrett, Andrea Burns and Diana Canova. He sends his love to Alan, and thanks him for his understanding.

RICHARD LATTA (Lighting Designer) salutes the Playhouse board, management and staff for all their efforts moving the Playhouse forward! Favorite shows from past seasons include: All Shook Up, A Chorus Line, Shout!, Cabaret, Evita, The Full Monty, Hairspray, Aida, Chicago. Recent work: a revival of Ogunquit's 2008 production of Fiddler on the Roof (Engeman Theatre), Projection Design Research for the world premiere of Moby Dick (Dallas Opera) and Thurgood with Laurence Fishburne (B’way), lighting Jon Peterson in Song Man, Dance Man (Seven Angels Theatre), the Nunsense 25th Anniversary Tour with Sally Struthers, television shoots of other installments in the Nunsense canon, years of Off-Broadway shows, corporate events and a continued association with The American Ballet Theatre.

JEREMY OLEKSA (Sound Designer) is really excited to return to the Ogunquit Playhouse. His Ogunquit Playhouse design credits include The Sound of Music and Sunset Boulevard. He has designed popular shows like Jekyll and Hyde, and Nunsense, and has engineered many others, Nunsense! 25th Anniversary Tour, National Tour of Peter Pan, and 75th Anniversary of Porgy and Bess. He also has worked on Anything Goes at Musical Theatre West and Arizona Broadway Theatre, Brigadoon, Man of La Mancha, as well as all of the 2009 season for the Ogunquit Playhouse. He would like to thank his friends and family and the Ogunquit Playhouse staff including Becky Shelton for all of their support.

SCOTT ANDERSON (Costume Designer) is making his design debut at the Ogunquit Playhouse. This Philadelphia-based designer has worked from the odd to the sublime having costumed such shows as Arcadia, Marisol, and Area de Capo. He currently holds his MFA from Indiana University.

EMILIA MARTIN (Hair & Make-Up Designer) is thrilled to be back at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Previous shows include Singing in the Rain, The Producers, and My Fair Lady. Emilia is a NYC based hair and wig stylist. After earning her BA from Wagner College and the Julliard School's intern program she has worked on Broadway’s Gods of Carnage, Mamma Mia, and 2nd Stages’ Vanities. She recently became a proud new member of IASTE 798, as a hair stylist. Also she can be found teaching stage makeup at Wagner College theatre department, and a part time designer. Thank you to Robert and Brad for all the support!

JOHN KANDER & FRED EBB (Music; Book/Lyrics) The John Kander and Fred Ebb collaboration of four decades has created what many would consider Broadway standards and contemporary classics: Flora, the Red Menace; Cabaret (Tony Award); The Happy Time; Zorba; 70, Girls, 70; Chicago; The Act; Woman of the Year (Tony Award, Best Score); The Rink; Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tony Award, Best Score); and Steel Pier. Their collaboration also transferred itself to movies and television as they wrote original material for the Academy Awards; “Liza With a Z” (Emmy Award); HBO’s “Liza Minnelli’s Stepping Out” (Emmy Award); Funny Lady (Oscar nominated for “How Lucky Can You Get”); Lucky Lady; New York, New York; Stepping Out; and Chicago (Oscar nominated for Best Song). In the mid ‘80s the song “New York, New York” becoming the official anthem of New York City. At the time of the unfortunate death of Mr. Ebb, Kander and Ebb had several projects in different stages of completion waiting in the wings: The Visit, All About Us, Curtains (currently on Broadway) and Minstrel Show. Life goes on.

BOB FOSSE (Book) First director in history to win Oscar, Tony and Emmy awards in one year (1973) for the film Cabaret, the musical Pippin and the TV special "Liza with a Z." He won the first of eight Tonys as choreographer for The Pajama Game followed by directing and choreographing Redhead, Little Me, Sweet Charity (stage and film), Chicago, Dancin'. Other choreography: Damn Yankees, New Girl in Town, How to Succeed..., Film: My Sister Eileen, The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees. Director: Lenny (Oscar nom.), All That Jazz (Oscar nom.), Star 80.

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org

The Ogunquit Playhouse Sizzles with Smash Hit Musical Chicago!

For Immediate Release:

September 7, 2010

Girls, guns, glitz and glamour hit the Ogunquit Playhouse stage with the multi Tony Award winning Broadway musical Chicago, wrapping up the Playhouse season, September 15 through October 24. This record-breaking smash hit stars Ogunquit favorite Sally Struthers, as Matron “Mama” Morton, keeper of the jailhouse keys and George Dvorsky as Billy Flynn, the slick lawyer who razzles the court and dazzles the press to free his guilty clients. The sizzling tale of corruption and celebrity, inspired by the sensationalized trials of 1920’s Chicago, has John Kander music, lyrics by Fred Ebb, choreography inspired by Bob Fosse…. And all thatJazz!

Set amidst the glittering decadence of the 1920s, Chicago also stars Broadway veteran Angie Schworer as Roxie Hart, a housewife who spends her nights jazzing it up in clubs whiledreaming of a life on the stage and subsequently murdering her lover; Broadway’s Rachelle Rak as Velma Kelly, the seductive night club singer turned murderess and darling of the press; and Tony-Award winner Paul Kreppel as Amos (aka Mr. Cellophane), Roxie’s husband who agrees to take the blame for her violent crime.

Helming the Ogunquit production as Director/Choreographer is Broadway veteran Gerry McIntyre. Gerry’s long career, both on the stage and behind the scenes has included many Regional, Off-Broadway and Broadway productions, including Chicago, Once On This Island, Anything Goes and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Chicago is the sixth longest-running production in Broadway history and is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. Chicago has become a worldwide phenomenon with productions in 24 countries and 11 languages since 1996. The record-breaking London production of Chicago continues to hold the record as the longest-running American musical in West End history. Chicago is also rated as the number one show Ogunquit Playhouse audiences requested to see on stage for 2010!

Don’t miss the sexy, musical extravaganza that features one show-stopping number after another, including All That Jazz, Razzle Dazzle and When You’re Good to Mama.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is America’s Foremost Summer Theatre, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization producing the finest Broadway musicals each season, with performances Tuesday through Sunday, from June 9 to October 24, 2010. Main Stage tickets prices range from $49-$67 per show. Gift Certificates and Early-Bird Season Subscriptions are also on sale now. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information, visit our website www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. Tickets online or through the box office at 207-646-5511.

A tale of jazz and murder, Chicago opens against the backdrop of a seedy mid-1920’s nightclub where Velma Kelly takes the stage. Amid the smoky atmosphere, her lone presence onstage marks the permanent end to the double-act that she and her sister had become famous for. After finding her sister in bed with her husband moments before the show, Kelly’s sordid double homicide lands her in prison and on the front page. Dissatisfied with her conventional life, aspiring star Roxie Hart slinks through jazz clubs in search of men that will help her make it big. One night while her husband is out, she shoots her boyfriend in a crime of passion, blinded by her fantasies of one day being in the spotlight. Incarceratedin the Cook County Jail alongside Kelly and the Murderesses of death row, her desire of fame and flash-bulbs become reality. With the help of silver-tongued celebrity lawyer Billy Flynn, Hart “razzle-dazzles” the press and becomes the latest criminal sweetheart - buying publicity and cashing in on her notoriety to finally see her name in lights.