May 23, 2017 – This summer, Sierra Stages brings the excitement of the hit musical “Chicago” to Nevada City with an all-local Nevada County production playing from July 13 through August 5 at the historic Nevada Theatre. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, “Chicago” tells the story of Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who murders her lover. Desperate to avoid a conviction, Roxie dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer, Billy Flynn, to transform her crime into a barrage of sensational headlines.
Most audiences know “Chicago” from the 2002 movie version with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, and Richard Gere. Originally premiering on Broadway in 1975, “Chicago” is a modern classic of the American musical theatre, with a catchy score by John Kander and Fred Ebb (perhaps best known for another modern classic, “Cabaret”) and a funny and engaging book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse (who directed and choreographed the original production). The show is wholly entertaining and incredibly artful as it leads the audience to contemplate the ease with which public opinion may be manipulated with a little smoke and mirrors and a lot of razzle-dazzle.
“Chicago” is directed by Robert Rossman, with dance direction by George Jayne and music direction by Ken Getz, who will conduct the 16-person onstage band. The local Nevada County cast includes Kate Haight, Jacquelynn Kolenko, Jonathan Hansard, Sara Noah, Micah Cone, Janet Rossman, Trish Adair, Erin Beatie, Audrey Delgado, Heidi Grass, Tinley Ireland, Tina Kelly, Michaela King, Heather Lucas-Ross, Hailey Patrick, Kimberly Shepard, Angela Williams, Elliot Childs, Chase Coney, Kris Meadows, and Jonathan Willis.
“All of us are excited to be mounting a local production of ‘Chicago’ as our ninth annual summer show,” says musical director Ken Getz. “It’s an extremely popular musical and not many theatres are given the rights to perform it because both the Broadway revival and the national tour are continuing to go strong after more than 20 years. We have put together an amazing cast, band, and production staff for the show, and I’m certain we are going to have almost as much fun performing ‘Chicago’ as the audience will have attending the show.”
Performances of “Chicago” are Thursdays at 7 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM. General Admission tickets for the first two “preview” performances on Thursday July 13 and Friday July 14 are $20. Thereafter General Admission tickets are $28. Reserved Seating is also available (in advance) for all performances for $38 and is a great way to provide additional financial support for the production and Sierra Stages. Student Rush is also offered for $15 at the door (subject to availability) 30 minutes before each performance (age 25 & under with a valid student ID). For tickets and information, visit www.SierraStages.org or call Sierra Stages at 530.346.3210.
Following “Chicago”, Sierra Stages will conclude its ninth season with the intimate musical ‘Ordinary Days’ playing from October 5-28. From the bustling streets to the quiet rooftops, “Ordinary Days” tells the story of four New Yorkers whose lives are unexpectedly interconnected by circumstance. Warren house-sits a cat for an imprisoned guerrilla conceptual artist. Deb has come to New York for grad school. Jason has moved in with his new girlfriend, Claire, and they negotiate the perilous shoehorning of one person’s stuff into another’s small apartment. The series of funny and fortuitous events in this intimate, fast-paced musical proves that ordinary days can be simply extraordinary. Sandra Rockman directs, with musical direction by Ken Getz.
Sierra Stages is a nonprofit community theatre based in western Nevada County with a mission to provide quality productions that are affordable and accessible to everyone. Since it began eight years ago, Sierra Stages has presented 30 plays and musicals and has been recognized by the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance with six Elly Awards and 58 Elly Award nominations. The annual Elly Awards honor outstanding achievements of community theatres and artists in the greater Sacramento area. Sierra Stages performs at various local venues, including the Nevada Theatre in Nevada City and the Off Center Stage in Grass Valley.
What: Sierra Stages presents “Chicago”
When: July 13 – August 5, 2017
Thursdays at 7 PM; Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM; Sundays at 2 PM;
Where: Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA
Information: www.SierraStages.org
530-346-3210