Award-winning Kander and Ebb musical “Chicago” opens this weekend

Posted Oct. 5, 2015 at 11:50 a.m.

BOONE—The Appalachian Musical Theatre Ensemble presents the multi-award winning musical “Chicago,” by the legendary duo of John Kander and Fred Ebb. There will be only two performances of this production: the first at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Oct. 11 in the Blue Ridge Ballroom of Plemmons Student Union on the Appalachian State University campus.

Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults, and are available online via http://amtc.ticketleap.com and at the Musical Theatre Club’s table in Plemmons Student Union Monday through Friday from 1 – 5 p.m. Tickets will also be sold at the door beginning one hour prior to each performance.

Set in Chicago in the roaring 1920s, the show revolves around the infamous murderesses Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly. The high-speed lifestyle of the Jazz era sweeps audiences off their feet, putting them right in the heart of the action. Originally choreographed and co-written by the famed dancer Bob Fosse, “Chicago” is a fast paced whirlwind of excitement and thrills.

Now in its 19th year on Broadway, making it the longest running American musical in history, “Chicago” has everything that makes a musical great: a universal tale of the rise and fall of fame, one show-stopping song after another and choreography in the style of Bob Fosse. “Chicago” has been the winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and an Academy Award for its movie adaptation.

The Appalachian Musical Theatre Ensemble is the performance arm of the Appalachian Musical Theatre Club, and has previously produced successful productions of “Rent,” “Godspell,” “The Rocky Horror Show,” “Urinetown” and “Assassins.” This production of “Chicago” involves 18 students in the cast and crew, representing more than a dozen different academic majors. The company is under the direction of Dr. Ray Miller, who also serves as choreographer. Vocal Director Leia Gearhart is working with the cast while musical director JaQuan Wiley conducts a live, all-student orchestra for the production.

“Chicago” is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., New York, New York.

The Blue Ridge Ballroom is on the second floor of Plemmons Student Union, located at 263 Locust Street in Boone. Free parking for the performances is available on campus in faculty lots, the College Street parking deck near Belk Library and Information Commons, the Stadium Lot, and the Peacock/Raley Parking Lot.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier, public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.