Fine Arts 

As the lights dim and the music swells in the Dell Fine Arts Center, the dazzled audience is taken back in time to the Jazz Age. A dozen sparkling and flashy dancers step on stage as a live band performs the first thundering note of “All That Jazz”. The audience immediately cheers enthusiastically as they prepare to experience St. Andrew’s Upper School’s rendition of the musical Chicago. 

Set in 1920s Chicago, Chicago follows aspiring chorus girl Roxie Hart and former vaudeville star Velma Kelly as they each face a murder trial. The two vibrant and motivated women compete for the help of crooked lawyer Billy Flynn who promises to make the two stars while also releasing them from their doomed fate. With show-stopping dance numbers and sparkling female leads, this story of talent, dedication, and scandal enthralled the hearts of St. Andrew’s viewers. 

With a talented group of leaders including Mr. Jason Kruger, Ms. Olivia Havel, and Mr. Alec Warren, the SAS Theater Department’s performance was sure to be a fabulous production. The show also featured a skilled group of actors including junior Kaitlyn Zimmermann who played Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly portrayed by sophomore Ava Barnard. “I’ve wanted to do Chicago for so long,” said Barnard. “Kaitlyn and I were begging to do it.” One of the aspects of the musical that excited Barnard the most was its message of female empowerment. “I was so excited to be one of the leads in a show like this because I thought that Chicago was an awesome story to be a part of,” she said. 

One of the most impressive aspects of the success of Chicago was the stunning choreography equal to that of Broadway. Much of the choreographic achievement is due to guest artists and co-choreographers Hunter Region and Natasha Davidson. To learn more about the dance numbers in Chicago, I checked in with senior dance captain Lili Krengel. When asked how Chicago’s choreography is unique, Krengel shared that the dance numbers are done in the Bob Fosse style of dancing, focusing on awkward, sharp movements. “It definitely took a lot of time to get used to the style of dance. It was difficult at first, but once we kept doing it, it became easier,” Krengel added. Because Chicago is such a dance-centered performance, the crew spent months perfecting their technique and choreography. According to Barnard, “I think the dancing in Chicago is more difficult than any of the productions I’ve been in thus far.” 

With a fantastic and intense musical like Chicago, theater students had to put in copious amounts of practice and effort to get the show ready on time with their opening night being February 14, 2024. According to Barnard, St. Andrew’s musical auditions run for two days, the first day focused on singing, and the second day on dancing. Once the casting had been completed, the team started rehearsals on a strong foot. Barnard explained, “When rehearsals first start up it's two hours, and then as it gets closer to the production it goes to three, then three and a half, and then eventually makes its way up to twelve on the weekends.” Though rehearsals may have been exhausting and overwhelming, Barnard shares that the cast became a close-knit community and eventually, rehearsal time flew by.  

When asked why she would recommend St. Andrew’s students try taking part in the school’s yearly musical, Barnard exclaimed, “You get the chance to meet so many amazing people. It’s such a great variety of athletes, scholars, artists, and people that you never thought you’d have the chance to be friends with.”