Nobody’s innocent in Ridley’s ‘Chicago’
Pop! Six! Squish! Why did the famous murderesses of Chicago kill their men?
Find out in Ridley College’s performance of “Chicago.” This classic production is set in Chicago in the 1920s, with its Prohibition-era nightclubs, fast and corrupt justice, and feverish media coverage of homicidal women.
In this musical, imprisoned killer Roxie Hart, played by a charming Shakeela Vahdat, schemes against murderess Velma Kelly, played by an expressive Jules Idigbe, both competing for the sympathy of reporters.
Fortunately for them, the city’s famous smooth-talking lawyer, played by the animated Alex Bergshoeff Roman, is ready to swoop in, twist the facts and get them out of jail.
Ridley College’s “Chicago” was filled with dazzling musical numbers incorporating a dynamic orchestra, breathtaking vocals and creative choreography. The orchestra included many versatile students who took up multiple instruments with ease and provided the foundation for the actors’ vocals in every song.
They especially shone when they comedically played actor-requested exit music.
The staging and dance choreography were executed with impressive energy and precision. The iconic “Cell Block Tango,” modified to be age-appropriate, was skilfully performed by six talented actresses. The physical skills of this cast were especially evident when TJ Goertz performed a lively tap dance as Roxie tried to coax money from her husband.
The two female leads, Vahdat and Idigbe, were triple threats who carried the show with their dancing, acting and singing.
Idigbe’s jazzy moves during the opening number set the tone for the rest of the show, while her expressive looks, smirks and body language also captured the self-obsessed Velma Kelly.
Vahdat’s radiantly innocent smile, paired with her stellar characterization of a rising narcissist perfectly portrayed Roxie Hart. They both had beautifully cohesive voices, with neither vocalist overpowering the other throughout the musical.
Without a doubt, the number “We Both Reached for the Gun” stole the show. Bergshoeff Roman’s confidence and stage presence filled the auditorium with wonderful comedic energy as his character, Billy Flynn, manipulated Roxie like a marionette to cater to the news reporters. His vocals were powerful as he emphatically belted out his lines with a touch of vibrato. His talents were artfully supported by a cohesive ensemble that included a diverse range of vocalists.
The women of the famous “Cell Block Tango” number belt out “He had it comin’, I betcha you would have done the same.”
Rest assured this is a musical with no innocent characters, and one where the audience is complicit in the fun and laughter.
Overall, Ridley College’s students all worked together to pull off a delightful interpretation of the classic musical “Chicago.”