KDSS students in final rehearsals of musical, “Chicago: Teen Edition”

About 50 Kincardine District Senior School (KDSS) students are in the final rehearsals of the musical, “Chicago: Teen Edition,” set to open Thursday night, May 29, at the Kincardine Arts Centre in downtown Kincardine.

Based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, with script adaptation by David Thompson, the story is based in the “Roaring 20s” Chicago. Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap – until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie.

Facing death row, Roxie and another “Merry Murderess,” Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the “American Dream:” fame, fortune and acquittal.

Directed and produced by Michelle Mayer, the show features 33 cast members, nine crew, and nine band members under the direction of conductor Andrew Robichaud. Also assisting on the production, are choreographer Valerie Shepherd, assistant director Jaki Mayer-Duggan, assistant producer Jayne McGibney, and stage managers Julie Fetter and Katie Taylor.

Mayer says auditions were held in early November, and rehearsals began, two afternoons per week, at the end of November. This is her first time as director, but she was the music director in last year’s production of “Newsies.”

Some of the cast and crew are new members and several are returning, having performed in the past couple of KDSS musicals, says Mayer.

Taking to the stage in major roles, are Emily Cassidy as Velma Kelly, Savannah DeLuca as Roxie Hart, William Luhowy as Amos Hart, and Jameson May as Billy Flynn.

Joining them, are Carter Frook as Fred Casely, Gabrielle Geberdt as Officer Fogarty, Aniella Peterson as Merry Murderess Liz, Paige Wade as Merry Murderess June, Lilianna Goetz as Merry Murderess Hunyak, Annabelle Dent as Merry Murderess Annie, Averee Hamann as Matron “Mama” Morton, Isabella Geberdt as Mary Sunshine, Myla Aitchison as Kitty, Malcolm Scott as Harry, Kait Bridge as the Judge, Kai Soucy as Harrison, Lucas Brown as the Court Clerk, Dani Smith as Juror No. 1, and Poppy McFarlane and Milo Petrie as the Reporters.

The ensemble members include Isabella Sinclair, Evelyn Sutton, Myla Aitchison, Arina Anhelovska, Sophia Booth, Fiona Finner, Laylah King, Jade Lowry, Silas Pye and Rae Robertson.

And playing in the live band are Caitlin Deller, Natalie Doran, Addison Owens, Poppy Finner, Aneta White, Ryan Klassen, Abby Crawford, Leslie Wade, Lincoln Henhoeffer, Alex Peterson, Cameron Klassen, James Beaune, Liz Coates and Kasey Edwards.

“Chicago: Teen Edition” runs May 29 and 30 at 7 p.m., and May 31 at 1 p.m., at the Kincardine Arts Centre.

Tickets are $20 each; available at www.onstagedirect.com/KDSS.