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Dover Sherborn High School Drama is bringing the legendary show, “Chicago,” to Mudge Auditorium on March 14–16, with the largest high school cast in DSHS history. To bring “Chicago” to life, in addition to the 68 students in the cast, a total of over 100 students are helping with lighting, crew, sound, set design, painting, sewing, hair, makeup, and props - to highlight just a few areas. The sheer number of students involved is promoting an inclusive, welcoming, passionate team spirit at the high school.
“’Chicago’ is an amazing mix of edgy acting and incredible dancing,” said Scott Walker, director of the high school spring musical. “The senior class and our dedicated audiences will find that it is a combination of the last three previous high school musicals - it has the epic theatrics of 'Les Miserables,' the Fosse dancing skills of 'Pippin,' and the artistry of 'Secret Garden.'”
Walker explained: “The three-story scaffolding structure gives an impressive urban feel to the show. We have really pulled away the curtains and given the audience a clear view of the stark cinderblock backstage. As the show is called 'Chicago: A Musical Vaudeville,' it seemed fitting to bring in a full Austrian curtain that lifts to reveal an open stage with a massive uncovered structure. There is literally nowhere for the cast and crew to hide, and that’s intentional.
“In this iconic musical, there aren’t many moments when the full cast is absent from the stage, which makes the hard-working, dedicated cast members feel deeply connected to all parts of the production,” said Walker.
Costume sketches of character Roxie Hart by Lila Hovey.
In the years leading up to this particular musical, the Dover Sherborn High School Drama department has worked tirelessly to establish an apprentice-like program that allows the students the ability to get involved, gain experience and then head up committees in the areas of makeup, poster design, ad sales, costumes and hair.
“Costume design for the musical ‘Chicago’ has fallen into a rut," explained Lila Hovey, a senior and drama officer, head of costume design. "The current Broadway shows focus on low production costs has kept it running, but it seems all other productions, too, feel the need to follow the minimalist, all-black, more modern costume scheme. Mr. Walker's overall directorial idea for 'Chicago' includes a return to its Vaudeville roots, so I wanted to include that in the costumes, as well. The ensemble is in all black because as performers, they are removed from the reality of the storyline and need to be able to slink into the background, but I've tried to ground the ensemble costumes in a 1920s sensibility. ‘Chicago, A Musical Vaudeville’ doesn't exist in real world 1920s Chicago, but it has a secure grounding in time and place that I wanted to incorporate into the costumes. For example, a modern spandex dance top would be paired with period hot pants and gartered stockings. For the leads, I wanted to create a distinction between reality and fantasy -- for example, with both Roxie and Velma moving between the reality of their prison uniforms and the flapper dresses that represent their fantasy of being famous performers. This leads to the need for lots of quick or even trick costume changes, once again tying back to the Vaudeville inspiration. A number of costumes for the show have some transformative element so they can be as chameleon-like as the characters. Come see these elements unfold before your eyes on stage.”
Reserved seating and general admission tickets for Chicago, "A Musical Vaudeville" are available on www.ticketstage.com. Remaining tickets will be available at the door, providing the show does not sell out in advance.
