New Spectacular “Chicago” Dazzles in its Circa ’21 Debut in Rock Island
Nearly 48 years after opening in downtown Rock Island, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is finally unveiling its first, dazzling production of the iconic classic musical, “Chicago.”
It’s been an agonizingly long wait – the beloved theater and staggeringly popular Broadway show have been fated for each other, with both sprouting from strong roots in both the 1920s and 1970s.
True to its namesake, Circa occupies the landmark former Fort Theatre at 19th Street and 3rd Avenue, which opened in January 1921 as a grand movie palace, originally seating 1,800 (including 700 in the balcony). QC theater impresario Denny Hitchcock opened the renovated venue as a dinner theater (seating 330), on June 11, 1977.
Sarah Beth Ganey & Ensemble
See my in-depth feature on the Circa theater’s 100th anniversary, in 2021, HERE.
Almost exactly two years earlier, on June 3, 1975 (its 50th anniversary this year), the musical “Chicago” opened on Broadway, reuniting the team of composer John Kander, lyricist Fred Ebb and director/choreographer Bob Fosse, who previously partnered on the Oscar-winning 1972 smash film “Cabaret,” based on the classic 1966 musical of the same name.
“Chicago” (its bawdy book co-written by Fosse and Ebb) shares many vibes with “Cabaret” – the kind of show within a show; the world-weary, cynical attitude; sensational song and dance numbers, and the instantly recognizable Fosse style of sexy, cool, precise choreography.
“Chicago” is based on the Maurine Watkins play and film, from her newspaper coverage of 1924 Chicago murder trials of women. Her 1926 play was first made into the 1927 silent film, “Chicago,” and the Kander and Ebb musical – focusing on the vain, headstrong murderesses Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly – had the misfortune of opening the same year as the cultural touchstone, “A Chorus Line,” which swept the Tony Awards.
Bobby Becher, Elly Rebeka, Gregory Holmes Jr.
“Chorus Line” won nine Tonys, and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for drama, running for 6,137 performances on Broadway.
In poetic justice, “Chicago” (its first Broadway run was 936 performances) has had the triumphant last laugh – its November 1996 Broadway revival won several Tonys, and has become the second-longest-running show in Broadway history, still wowing the crowds at 11,201 performances (as of May 11). Its wonderful film adaptation in 2002 (directed by Rob Marshall, co-starring Renee Zellwegger and Catherine Zeta-Jones) won the Oscar for Best Picture.
There have been many solid productions of “Chicago” in the Quad Cities over the years, including one I played piano for at Pleasant Valley High that was taken to International Thespian Festival, and a touring Broadway production in May 2024 at the Adler Theatre.
In its supremely strong, entertaining debut at Circa ’21, Ashley Becher creates a pitch-perfect new staging, as director and choreographer, hitting all the right moves and notes, with a first-class, flawless cast.
The cast of Circa ’21’s ‘Chicago’
While the extremely athletic, acrobatic and tireless Elly Rebeka and Sarah Beth Ganey expertly embody the leads Roxie and Velma, several local talents shine in this “Chicago,” including Circa veteran Bobby Becher as the selfish, confident lawyer Billy Flynn. He’s a swaggering opportunist (whose motto is “play square”), portraying himself as an all-American straight arrow in pursuit of justice. Becher’s great “All I Care About,” “We Both Reached for the Gun” and “Razzle Dazzle” are among a cornucopia of highlights here.
Fellow Circa veteran Kyle DeFauw of Davenport is characteristically reliable in several roles in “Chicago,” including the primary murder victim, Fred Casely, Harry and Aaron.
Set in 1920s Chicago and based on real-life murders and trials, the musical (reflecting the public’s unending appetite for blood, gore and seamy stories) follows Roxie Hart, a wannabe vaudevillian star who murders her lover and is arrested, despite her attempts to convince her pushover husband, Amos, to lie for her. In the Cook County Jail, Roxie meets her hero, the famed double-murderess and nightclub performer Velma Kelly.
When both acquire the same lawyer, the greedy and lustful superstar Billy Flynn, tensions come to a head as they vie for the spotlight, though instead of onstage, they’re mugging for the flashbulb of newspaper reporters.
Its exceptionally catchy, evocative songs include iconic numbers such as “All That Jazz,” “Razzle Dazzle,” “Mr. Cellophane,” “The Cell Block Tango” and “They Both Reached for the Gun.” Circa vet Ashley Becher’s recent musical productions for the dinner theatre have included “The Addams Family,” “A Christmas Story: The Musical” and “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” while area favorite Ron May is again musical director for “Chicago”’s high-energy score.
In another ideal complement for each other, Circa’s great performing wait staff is called The Bootleggers and Act I’s “Roxie” references the term, and a Circa Bootlegger provides a drink to Ganey during the song.
Circa veteran Sarah Hayes is the dominating prison matron, Mama Morton, who makes quite a first impression in a big gray wig; a fancy silver and black dress, with dazzling necklace, for her ode to bribery (and you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours), “When You’re Good to Mama.”
Costumes – designed by the endlessly talented Bradley Robert Jensen – are one of the many reasons this “Chicago” is such a stunning success. Rather than drab prison wear (fashion is clearly important to these ladies), the basic jail clothing becomes stylish hotness for the merry murderesses of Cook County Jail, starting with the rousing, funny “Cell Block Tango,” where each of the six is clothed in short black-and-white striped outfits, garters and black stockings.
Velma and Roxie are always seen in sparkly, showy mini-dresses, though one scene has them starting in prison robes with the same vertical black and white stripes.
The very colorful role of reporter Mary Sunshine is played by N. Fuqua in drag, first in a huge yellow dress, wig and hat, riding on a swing, performing “A Little Bit Of Good” in a very high, strong falsetto.
The key part of unlucky, invisible Amos is nailed by the sympathetic, regular Joe, Robert Sharkey, who looks like he was plucked from a silent film himself, with the build of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. His painful slow rag, “Mister Cellophane” is heartbreaking, mournful and deeply satisfying.
The lighting changes here (design is by Heather Hauskins) are also among the most impressive I’ve ever seen at Circa. Among many highlights are the spotlights in “Cell Block Tango,” and ensemble flashlights during “Razzle Dazzle,” where each member uses a light on their faces, and toward the end of the number, all shine on Bobby Becher from below, creating a large silhouette against the back wall.
The dance-heavy show reveals uniformly crisp, enthusiastic talents from all (beyond the leads), including ensemble members Jordan Bee, Brynne Davidson, Gregory Holmes Jr., Sophia Kilburg; Jeanette Palmer, JuJu Palmer, Chandler James Pettus, Kory Randles and Chloe Schwab.
The two-level set (heavy on the moral/killer colors of black and red) was designed by Becky Meissen.
“Chicago” will be presented at Circa ’21 through July 5, with performances on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday matinées at 1:15 p.m. Pre-show entertainment from The Bootleggers (featuring iconic hits from the even longer-running band, Chicago) will precede all performances.
Ticket prices are $68 for the Friday – Sunday dinner and show productions and $61 for either the Wednesday matinee or evening performances.
Reservations are available through the Circa ’21 ticket office, at 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island, or by calling 309-786-7733 ext. 2. You can also make your reservations for all shows at www.circa21.com.
