Marietta College Theatre presents 'Chicago'

by Haylyn Hiles

Marietta, OH (02/13/2025) — Marietta College's Theatre Department has been reaching new successes in the world of performance, recently taking on Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb's, "Chicago." This musical showcases the wide range of talents that the college has been building in recent years, challenging them to take on a Broadway-level production. From the talented dancers taking on Fosse-styled choreography, technical crews building an advanced set and light design, actors and actresses practicing murderess characters, and singers reaching vocal ranges at heights like never before seen, Marietta's talented performers work together to form a rhythm that will "Razzle Dazzle" the audience.

The Theatre of Marietta College is set to present their captivating rendition of "Chicago" at the Friedrich Theater, in the Hermann Fine Arts Center. These performances are scheduled for February 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22., all beginning at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased online at https://www.marietta.edu/theatre-season. Marietta College students and employees can attend for free.

"Chicago" is a story based in 1920s Chicago, where aspiring chorus girl Roxie Hart and vaudeville star Velma Kelly are facing trial for murder. The two women compete for the services of lawyer Billy Flynn who has made promises to make them celebrities after winning their trials. But will these women become sensational, or will they find that fame is a killer?

The Theatre of Marietta College has worked countless hours on this show, being casted in October and perfecting their craft ever since. This production will feature the hard work and talent of Musical Theatre Major/Minor and Dance Minor students and employees; especially Director and Choreographer, Aurora Held-Dodd. Held-Dodd has single-handedly built the Dance program at the college and is using this show as an opportunity to explore storytelling and expression through movement, while producing a jaw-dropping performance.

Meet the cast & crew:
Aurora Held-Dodd - Director
Peter Sour - Music Director
Stage Manager - Sophie Wheeler
Assistant Stage Manager - Lily Sorensen '25
Lighting Design - Nathan Bradley
Assistant Lighting Design - Brendon Thompson '26
Costume Design - Jena Blair
Assistant Costume Design - Kanae Yoshida '26
Sound Design - Andy Felt
Assistant Sound Design - Ian Hufford '28
Properties Design - Casiha Felt
Assistant Properties Design - Zier Carpenter '26
Props Artisan - Sophia Abrusci '26
Velma Kelly - Paige Doseck '25
Roxie Hart - Rose Wardlow '25
Billy Flynn - Maurice Riley '26
Matron "Mama" Morton - Ella Drake '26
Amos Hart - Wade Stout '25
Master of Ceremonies - Logan Hertle '26
Liz - Riley Matchinga '27
Annie - Lexi Sabatino '26
June - Lais Gabriela Flores '28
Hunyak - Carlee Hankinson '27
Mona - Emma Gandor '26
Mary Sunshine - Jackson Bandy '27
Fred Casely - Devin Hershberger '26
Go to Hell Kitty - Grace Cremeans '28

The show has themes of adultery, murder, and justice while featuring "killer" dance numbers and music. Some content may be sensitive and is not recommended for young audiences.

Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college. Tracing its roots to the Muskingum Academy back in 1797, the College was officially chartered in 1835. Today Marietta College serves a body of 1,200 full-time students. The College offers more than 50 majors and is consistently ranked as one of the top regional comprehensive colleges by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, as well as one of the nation's best by Forbes.com. Marietta was selected seventh in the nation according to the Brookings Institution's rankings of colleges by their highest value added, regardless of major.