The Farmville Waterworks Players performed their rendition of "Chicago"on Oct. 7, 8, 14 and 15. The plot is set in the Roaring 20's and follows two female murderers who compete for public interest in order to be acquitted
The musical was written in the 1970s by Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse, and John Kander. Famous for songs like "Cell Block Tango" and "All That Jazz," this musical critiques the judicial system by portraying criminals being judged by their popularity in the press, instead of by their guilt or innocence. The film version was released in 2002 and won 6 Oscars, including Best Picture.
The musical begins when housewife Roxie Hart becomes imprisoned after fatally shooting her lover. She makes the headlines and promptly becomes a "star" in the Chicago news. In the slammer, she meets a lively group of women, all charged with murdering the men with whom they were romantically involved.
Murderer Velma Kelly was the star of the Chicago legal system until Roxie arrives. A former performer, she is locked up and awaiting trial for killing her husband and sister after she caught the two of them having an affair. Velma is infamous in the newspapers and plans on making it big after her trial…That is, if she makes it out alive. Velma and Roxie battle it out for the spotlight in true musical fashion, of course.
Several Longwood University students, faculty and staff participated in the performance. Per the Longwood Press Release on Sept. 27, the students involved include freshman Tim Davis, sophomore Kathleen Lilly, and juniors Cheryl Hinterleitner, Brittany Vargas, Chad Ownby and Paul Clamp. Alumni participants include Marquis Mapp ('09), Elizabeth Beckner Whiley ('94), Andrea Bridge ('02) and Anita Lynn ('10). The production is directed by Dudley Sauvé, a former Longwood faculty member, who directs many productions by the Waterworks Players, a community theater in Farmville. The band was also mainly comprised of Longwood students.
Faculty members includedAssociate Professor of Mathematics Dr. Leigh Lunsford Assistant Professor of Computer Science Dr. Donald Blaheta. Staff members included Dr. Mary Jo Stockton, web technology coordinator in Web Communications; Linda Sauvé, administrative assistant in Capital Planning and Construction; and Carole Harper, accompanist in the Department of Music.
I attended the production as a volunteer usher, and they are always looking for help. If you would like to get involved, you are encouraged to call (434) 392-3452 or visit http://waterworksplayers.org/
