Theatre Kent is finally getting its first chance to stage the musical Chicago.
Director Jamie Johnston said the theatre company has been trying for the past three years to get the rights to the play, which is fairly restricted, because the popular production is often playing in many places. It is currently on Broadway, she added.
"When we found out we were finally granted the rights, we were thrilled," Johnston said.
The local production opens Thursday at the Kiwanis Theatre, beginning at 8 p.m.
There are about 30 people in the cast and 10 musicians in the orchestra. However, the challenge was finding actors who could sing and dance, as well as musicians to commit to the show.
Johnston said the audition call last June for the musical
attracted a good turnout of talented people. She added they rehearsed the music and choreography all summer, and in September they began putting it all together.
"I think a lot of people heard we were doing Chicago and realized what a great opportunity it was," Johnston said. "This is the first time it's been done in the community, so it's a unique opportunity that they're not going to get anytime soon."
Lianne Sullo, 26, who plays Valma Kelly, one of the main characters, said, "I really love singing and dancing and that's what Chicago has a lot of.
"I just love performing in general and being able to put all those into one really caught my attention," she added.
Sullo admits preparing for the show has been a challenge because of the combination of singing and dancing.
"We've been working really hard," she said, adding the cast has gelled quickly.
Sullo credits Johnston for choreographing in such a way they look great on stage, but it's not too difficult to do.
It's the choreography that made Johnston want to stage Chicago.
She said they are using a lot of Bob Fosse's original choreography "because it was so good and that's what the show is known for.
"We didn't try to re-invent the wheel," Johnston added. "We're trying to present and stay true to the real show."
Chicago is a very sexy, adult show, which Sullo believes fans of the musical will enjoy.
"It's very sarcastic in the way that it does a lot of things," she said. "Some of it is head-on . . . we're just going to say it like it is, tell it like it is, in a way that comes off as funny."
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Halloween’s Not What It Was: What’s a ‘Sexy Referee’ Costume?
Back when I was growing up, Halloween was pretty much a holiday just for kids. At least that’s the way it seemed to me, but then again, I was generally oblivious to the ways of adults.
In the past few years, though, Halloween has become an “all ages” holiday. Adults aren’t going house-to-house demanding sweets, but they are dressing up in various garb to go out on the town and celebrate. Which is perfectly cool with me. I’ve always been a big believer in the old saying “You’re never too old to have a happy childhood.”
The other day, though, I read something that gave me pause. It seems that a fellow in Oklahoma had a few beers too many and got himself busted shoplifting a Halloween costume at a local shop.
According to the website The Smoking Gun, the costume that 27-year-old Michael Dixon was trying to lift was — are you ready for this? A “Sexy Referee” outfit, consisting of a black-and-white striped halter dress, knee socks and a whistle. The story did not say if Dixon planned to wear the outfit himself or whether he was stealing it for a female acquaintance. Perhaps it’s better just not to ask. Or even to think too much about it.
One of the odd things about what this whole odd little holiday has become is the proliferation of costumes that the makers feel the need to hype as “Sexy.” I looked through some of the costume offerings online (purely for research purposes, of course). I can see the point of “Sexy Harem Girl,” “Sexy French Maid” and the like. Having met a few very nice looking ladies of the Wiccan persuasion, I can even sort of see “Sexy Witch,” although I suspect some actual Wiccans may look at an outfit like that in much the same way an African-American would regard someone in blackface.
But “Sexy Referee”? Most people I know, when they think about the refs at all, are screaming at them for blown calls, not fantasizing about them in a carnal fashion. Unless this is some fetish that even I haven’t heard about, and if so, let’s please keep it that way.
Look, I like to think of myself as a fairly open-minded guy. But I can’t help but wonder about one of the stranger costumes I’ve seen: “Sexy Spongebob.” Ladies, please educate me: What am I missing here? If a guy is hitting on you while you’re wearing the visage of a whimsical, childlike cartoon character who happens to be (1) male, and (2) a sponge, what does that say to you about him?
Likewise, there are the “Candy Striper” costumes. I confess, I’ve never totally gotten the whole “Sexy Nurse” thing. To be sure, a lot of real-life nurses are darned attractive, and some are smoking-hot, but when you actually get into the situation where you see them in an actual uniform in real life, lovin’ is probably the last thing on your mind.
In the past few years, though, Halloween has become an “all ages” holiday. Adults aren’t going house-to-house demanding sweets, but they are dressing up in various garb to go out on the town and celebrate. Which is perfectly cool with me. I’ve always been a big believer in the old saying “You’re never too old to have a happy childhood.”
The other day, though, I read something that gave me pause. It seems that a fellow in Oklahoma had a few beers too many and got himself busted shoplifting a Halloween costume at a local shop.
According to the website The Smoking Gun, the costume that 27-year-old Michael Dixon was trying to lift was — are you ready for this? A “Sexy Referee” outfit, consisting of a black-and-white striped halter dress, knee socks and a whistle. The story did not say if Dixon planned to wear the outfit himself or whether he was stealing it for a female acquaintance. Perhaps it’s better just not to ask. Or even to think too much about it.
One of the odd things about what this whole odd little holiday has become is the proliferation of costumes that the makers feel the need to hype as “Sexy.” I looked through some of the costume offerings online (purely for research purposes, of course). I can see the point of “Sexy Harem Girl,” “Sexy French Maid” and the like. Having met a few very nice looking ladies of the Wiccan persuasion, I can even sort of see “Sexy Witch,” although I suspect some actual Wiccans may look at an outfit like that in much the same way an African-American would regard someone in blackface.
But “Sexy Referee”? Most people I know, when they think about the refs at all, are screaming at them for blown calls, not fantasizing about them in a carnal fashion. Unless this is some fetish that even I haven’t heard about, and if so, let’s please keep it that way.
Look, I like to think of myself as a fairly open-minded guy. But I can’t help but wonder about one of the stranger costumes I’ve seen: “Sexy Spongebob.” Ladies, please educate me: What am I missing here? If a guy is hitting on you while you’re wearing the visage of a whimsical, childlike cartoon character who happens to be (1) male, and (2) a sponge, what does that say to you about him?
Likewise, there are the “Candy Striper” costumes. I confess, I’ve never totally gotten the whole “Sexy Nurse” thing. To be sure, a lot of real-life nurses are darned attractive, and some are smoking-hot, but when you actually get into the situation where you see them in an actual uniform in real life, lovin’ is probably the last thing on your mind.
Scarlett Johansson’s Sexy Mango Shoot
She’s no stranger to the camera, and Scarlett Johansson is sizzling in the new 2010-2011 Autumn/Winter photos for Mango. The “In Good Company” actress was styled by Jane How for the session, photographed by Mario Sorrenti, and it couldn’t have turned out better.
Meanwhile, Scarlett is gearing up for her third gig as host of “Saturday Night Live” coming up on November 13th.
From there, she’ll star alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans in the film adaptation of the Marvel comic book “The Avengers.”
Meanwhile, Scarlett is gearing up for her third gig as host of “Saturday Night Live” coming up on November 13th.
From there, she’ll star alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans in the film adaptation of the Marvel comic book “The Avengers.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
