Chicago: High School Edition was our last in-person musical before the pandemic.

Upper school students presented Chicago: High School Edition to full houses on February 27, 28 and 29. The show featured two rival vaudevillians who vied for the spotlight while biding their time in Cook County Jail. Roxie Hart, played by Allison Johnston '20, was on death row for the murder of her faithless lover. Velma Kelly, played by Kennedy Holmes '23, did whatever it took to be acquitted and back on stage. Throughout the show, sensationalist lawyer, Billy Flynn, played by Jackson Miller '20, tried to design headlines so his clients go free — and become the celebrities they'd always dreamed they could be.

This production had a large cast — as listed in the program: Abby Greenberg '20, Lindsey Okafor '20, Cecilia Gossow '21, Jacqueline Harris '22, Kendall Allen '21, Libby Hizar '20, Jacob Rackers '21, Ithan Levy '21, Lindsey Steinkamp '20, Matthew Stroup '20, Jillian Mays '21, Jacob Tuteur '23, Liam Talyor '22, Simone Hoagland '21, Amy Phillips '20 and Leyla Fern King '21. The pre-show featured Owen French '21 and Madison Nelson '21, who performed familiar songs from the 1920s. More than two dozen other students performed as dancers, in the ensemble and in the live pit orchestra. 

Chicago was directed by Drew Battles (Theatre, Speech & Dance). Choreography was by Taylor Pietz (Theatre, Speech & Dance, Music) and music direction by Jerry Estes (Music). Set and props were designed by Joe Novak (Theatre, Speech & Dance). Carla Landis Evans was the costume designer. Sophie Sinton ’20 served as the production stage manager, Daniel Diehl ’21 and Gabby Randall ’20 were the assistant stage managers, and Udonne Eke-Okoro ’21 was the assistant to Mr. Battles.

PHOTOS TAKEN DURING THE DRESS REHEARSAL: Allison Roberts (Fine Arts, school photographer)