Philemon Wright's 'dynamic energy' shines in its production of Chicago

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Show # 2

Philemon Wright High School

Chicago: Teen Edition

Directors: Meredith Daley and Maria Maclean

Janet Do, Critic
Mother Teresa High School

The city waits with bated breath for a verdict. Their star rises from the stand, a dolled up seemingly frail lamb whose accusation of murder is scandalous at best. Whether guilty or not, one thing is certain: this trial is a spectacle. Philemon Wright High School’s Chicago: Teen Edition invited us into the courtroom to witness a gritty satire of fame, corruption, manipulation, and showbiz through the eyes of Roxie Hart and her fight for freedom.

Based on the original hit musical by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse and the 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, Chicago: Teen Edition is set in the roaring 1920s time of prosperity and jazz. Roxie Hart, dreaming of fame, impulsively murders her lover, Fred Casely. Trying to play the victim, she becomes a victim of her own deception when her husband, Amos, discovers her infidelity. Sent to prison, Roxie competes with fellow inmate Velma Kelly for the attention of a sleazy lawyer, each determined to become the media’s next criminal darling.

Philemon Wright High School’s Chicago: Teen Edition thrived on its cast’s dynamic energy, with standout performances capturing the greed, corruption, and fame of the 1920s. Strong characterizations, sharp choreography, and effective technical elements highlighting the era’s flashy, competitive spirit, made the production a captivating spectacle.

Sophie Poirier brought Roxie Hart’s conniving nature to life with a blend of desperation, flawed ambition, and feigned naivety. Poirier’s vocals in “Roxie” and “Funny Honey” were powerful, conveying Roxie’s fragile manipulation and deep desire for fame. Poirier’s soft body language subtly conveyed Roxie’s innocence and charm, with alluring movements capturing the flashiness of the 1920s. In “My Own Best Friend,” Poirier’s sharp dialogue delivery and impressive choreography shone, further emphasizing Roxie’s ambition and her struggle for recognition.

Kurtis Murphy played Billy Flynn with suave charisma, expertly capturing the lawyer’s authority and subtle greed. His performances in “We Both Reached for the Gun” and “Razzle Dazzle” showcased Flynn’s showmanship, with expansive hand gestures and commanding posture in persuasive scenes.

Ellie Misner embodied Velma Kelly with audacious self-assurance. From Misner’s powerful entrance to electrifying performances in “Cell Block Tango” and “I Can’t Do It Alone,” Misner commanded attention with deliberate movements and striking poses, showing Velma’s drive and refusal to be overshadowed. At the same time, Misner’s passionate delivery emphasized Velma’s fierce competitiveness.

The set, designed by Cabaret Crafters, effectively captured the 1920s’ glitz and glamour. The lighting transitions from soft blues and pinks in “My Own Best Friend” to bold reds in “Cell Block Tango,” evoked the era’s flashy appeal. However powerful the lighting and sound were, the cast’s strong performances retained the focus on the emotional depth of the show.

The Razzler Bedazzlers Costume team excelled in reflecting the era’s opulence. Gem-studded dresses and suits for corrupt characters like Roxie and Mr. Flynn contrasted with Amos’s simpler costume, which highlighted his meekness. The minimal staging, particularly in “Razzle Dazzle,” allowed the performances to shine, while props by the All That Props Team, like bedazzled guns, newspapers, and money bills, added authenticity to the time period.

With an energetic cast, strong performances, and a visually striking production, this rendition brought fresh intensity to the classic musical. Philemon Wright High School’s Chicago: Teen Edition was a powerful reminder of how greed and the desire for recognition can shape and corrupt the human spirit.

Yanni Val Guentasse, Critic
All Saints High School

Everyone dreams of their moment in the limelight, and all it takes is to be bold enough to face opportunity when it appears. But, if the opportunity were to arise from a murder and the threat of the death penalty, would you take it? The answer was an outstanding yes in Philemon Wright High School’s masterful production of Chicago: Teen Edition.

Chicago: Teen Edition is an exploration of greed, hubris, and criminal stars. The musical follows Roxie Hart, a married woman who had long put her dreams of stardom behind her, as she shoots her illicit lover. Being sentenced to prison, she seeks to avoid the consequences of a guilty verdict by any means. Roxie conspires with her lawyer to win the adoration of the people, realizing that this could be her ticket to a long-desired world of fame and glory.

The entire cast created an immersive and captivating performance through the grand personalities conveyed through their characters. The acting was an absolute delight, with every line being spoken with emotion behind it, being completed by the impressive range of tones and expressions used. Most of all, the singing and dancing were the highlights of the show, creating a source of excitement with each song.

Sophie Poirier, as Roxie Hart, provided an exceptional portrayal of the character that sets her spot on stage as someone who would be remembered. Poirier’s use of facial expressions and body language perfectly conveyed what Roxie feels in each scene while providing humour in select moments. Poirier’s vocals truly shone, and this was exemplified in the song “Roxie.” The voice control and excitement in the lines of the song bring out the vision Roxie has for her future, with her practically radiating an intoxicating thrill.

Billy Flynn, played by Kurtis Murphy, had an excellent stage presence, even when not the focus. Murphy’s portrayal of Flynn had a fantastic personality that exuded charisma. Murphy’s emphatic delivery on each line made for a character that grabbed attention in both serious and funny moments. The ensemble was key in tying every moment together with on-time movements that successfully conveyed crowds of people as well as teams of supporting dancers for characters like Roxie. Both Murphy’s and the ensemble’s performances were thoroughly displayed in “We Both Reached For The Gun” and “Razzle Dazzle”, emphasizing the larger-than-life quality they bring to the show, as a whole.

The work of the tech crew brought everything to life in all aspects of the production in a terrific manner. The set used in the show had a constant presence and was seen throughout. While simple in its design, the set was highly effective in its purpose and was made the most of by the actors. Another major contributor was the costumes, done by the Razzler Bedazzlers Costume Team. Most notably, the bedazzlement of nearly every costume. In any scene, there was always something that caught the eye. Their costumes helped reflect who their characters were like at a given moment, as well as the world around them. One of the most outstanding examples of this was the money-lined dress, train, and shawl worn by Julia Kean as “Mama” Morton in “When You’re Good To Mama,” which, along with Kean’s performance, certainly elevated the scene into something iconic.

Philemon Wright High School’s production of Chicago: Teen Edition was a fantastic rendition of a known classic, from the characters’ interactions to the stage they stood on, an entertaining and meaningful insight into the life of a woman on the line of facing time or making it big.

Abby Duplessis, Lead Critic
St. Mother Teresa High School

Philemon Wright High School’s performance of Chicago: Teen Edition definitely razzle dazzled ’em. Sparkly costumes, seamless transitions and captivating songs came together to bring this timeless story to life in a very alluring performance.

A comedic mix of the guns and glamour of the 1920s, Chicago: Teen Edition is taken from the musical by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse with music composed by John Kander. When Roxie Hart is arrested for the murder of Fred Casely, she meets Velma Kelly, the vaudeville star. Both women have the same lawyer, Billy Flynn, and as the pressure rises, the two women have to fight for the spotlight.

The Merry Murderesses’ rendition of “Cell Block Tango” was one of the many amazing performances. This song showcased great unison in both physicality and voice, which increased with power over time. Eva Foley and Xoraya Mondesir choreographed “Me & My Baby,” which featured complex movements like begging hands and opulent arms that combined to depict Roxie’s attempts to influence the public.

In a split second, Sophie Poirier, who played Roxie Hart, could transform from an innocent look, with squinted eyes and exaggerated, praying hands to flashing a broad, cunning smile. Ellie Misner portrayed the egoistic Velma Kelly through sassy winks and intense facial expressions, as well as through melodramatic gestures while out of the spotlight. Misner had strong vocal projection and expressed varying emotions through many timely vocal performances. When sharing the stage, Poirier and Misner demonstrated the women’s rivalry through grand gestures and scowled facial expressions.

DJ Jette excelled at presenting the gentle soul and self-consciousness of Amos Hart. Tense shoulders and minimalistic movements were used throughout the show but were highlighted during “Mister Cellophane.” Elliot Elbeck brought a strong stage presence to the character of Fred Casely through raised eyebrows and an endearing intonation. As Katalin Helinski, Mélodie Bélanger had brilliant comedic timing and delivered lines with maximum impact.

The multitude of costumes produced by the Razzler Bedazzlers Costume Team truly expressed the characters. This was seen especially with Amos’ dull suit compared to the sparkles worn by the rest of the cast and “Mama” Morton’s money skirt to represent her greed. The props, created by the All That Props Team were designed with great attention to detail. In particular, the vintage-inspired camera was used to further develop the portrayal of the twenties era. The stage management, done by Sarah Cameron, Jamie Morrison and Florence Richter, produced seamless transitions and many quick changes.

The devoted cast and crew had unwavering passion and energy throughout the show. After this unforgettable and satirical adaptation, the name on everybody’s lips will be Philemon Wright High School’s adaptation of Chicago: Teen Edition.

Almonte and District High School

“Murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery. All the things we hold near and dear to our hearts.” What happens when all of that is put into a musical? You get Philemon Wright High School’s performance of Chicago: Teen Edition presented at CEGEP Heritage College. Their performance was jam-packed with splendiferous singing and plenty of razzle-dazzle.

Chicago: Teen Edition is based on the Broadway hit Chicago, written in 1975 by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse with music by John Kander. This jazzy musical follows the story of Roxie Hart as she faces the corrupted prison system in Chicago after being incarcerated for murder. While in prison, Roxie meets Velma Kelly, a failed vaudevillian who becomes jealous of Roxie’s newfound fame in the media. Desperate to reclaim her spotlight, Velma develops cunning schemes, leading to a dramatic rivalry filled with humour and ambition.

Chicago: Teen Edition is an action-packed story with many characters. From the shy Amos to the extravagant Velma Kelly, it requires a skilled cast to perform such a show, and this cast performed with plenty of enthusiasm and flair. Almost every song was backed by a talented ensemble of singers whose talent was on full display as the Six Merry Murderesses in “Cell Block Tango.”

In the role of Roxie Hart was Sophie Poirier. As Roxie, Poirier gave Roxie plenty of emotion through the clear delivery of lines. Poirier’s emotions carried into her singing, which was always on key and stood out the most in the song “Funny Honey.” The jealous Velma Kelly was played by the talented Ellie Misner. Misner was successfully able to capture Velma’s ever-growing jealousy through grandiose facial expressions and various ranges in her voice. Misner always ensured that each line delivered was impactful and clear. Both Poirier and Misner’s talents shone brightly in the final number, “Nowadays,” where they both had well-timed dance moves.

Kurtis Murphy gave a captivating performance in the role of Billy Flynn, the sly and cunning lawyer of Roxie and Velma. Murphy displayed the smugness of Billy Flynn with subtle body language and a cadence in his voice. DJ Jette took on the role of the overlooked Amos Hart. Jette was able to capture the shy attitude of Amos perfectly. Jette’s performance of “Mister Cellophane” was extremely impressive, with well-executed singing and articulation.

An element of this production that shone was the exceptionally glittery costumes. Designed by the Razzler Bedazzlers Costume Team, each costume was designed to fit every character’s personality. Almost every character was bedazzled in glitter and sequins to add to the flashiness of this show.

Through a wide array of emotions and dynamic dance moves, the cast at Philemon Wright High School made this jazzy musical come to life. With all the razzle-dazzle one could ask for, the cast ensured that not even Roxie Hart herself could steal the spotlight from their captivating performance of Chicago: Teen Edition.

Maeve Gaffney, Critic
St. Patrick’s High School

There is no way to survive a murder trial without a little razzle-dazzle. Philemon Wright High School’s production of Chicago: Teen Edition showed the dark side of the Roaring Twenties.

Written by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, with music by John Kander, Chicago: Teen Edition follows fame-hungry Roxy Hart after she murders her boyfriend Fred Casely. She is brought to the county jail where she meets Velma Kelly, a dramatic and sarcastic vaudeville performer. With death row looming over the girl’s heads, they search for help through a sleazy lawyer, Billy Flynn, all while trying to stay in the media’s spotlight.

Through the intricate costumes and an exceptional ensemble, the 1920’s were brought to life. Every costume the Razzler Bedazzlers Costume Team created perfectly matched the time period of this show. The bright-coloured flapper dresses made the production feel like a look into the past. The ensemble in this production did not go unnoticed. Their constant engagement and clean harmonization brought the stage to life.

Sophie Poirier portrayed Roxie Hart’s journey into fame perfectly. Poirier was able to show emotion not only through facial expression but also through her voice while singing. The presence of Poirier was unmatched. Even while alone on stage, the presence of Roxie Hart was enough to make it seem full. The performance of Velma Kelly, performed by Ellie Misner, was impressive. Despite the costumes being difficult to dance in, every completed move was done with grace and precision.

Kurtis Murphy expertly played the role of the self-obsessed Billy Flynn. Murphy let his acting skills shine through while interacting with the other cast members. Flynn’s chemistry with Roxie made the interactions between the two characters feel authentic and lively. The loving husband of Roxie, Amos Hart, was played by DJ Jette. Jette did a perfect performance of “Mister Cellophane”, acting invisible to the other performers, and holding notes that would be difficult even for professionals.

All That Props Team brought the scenes to life with the use of period-appropriate props. The over-the-top red feather fans and time-accurate camera had the stage travel back in time. Oscar Epworth did an amazing job keeping the lighting on time with the fast-paced scenes. The Razzler Bedazzlers Costume Team created extraordinary pieces such as a pull-away dress for Roxie and a hand-sewn money cape for “Mama” Morton. Between the work of the Lipschitz Makeup Team and The Razzler Bedazzlers Costume Team glitter and shine were incorporated into every character. Shiny hair gel, sparkly ties, shiny dresses, every outfit had its own Chicago essence.

Through dazzling outfits and well-executed performances,? Philemon Wright High School delivered a night full of murder, fame, and show business. The actors played every role with passion, perfectly showing that the Roaring Twenties may not have been as perfect as they seem.

About the reviews:

The Philemon Wright High School production was reviewed by 24 critics representing 5 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Terry Duncan of Woodroffe High School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by educational assistant Roxanne Paul of Woodroffe High School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

Next review: St. Mark High School’s production of Anne of Green Gables.

About the Cappies:

The Citizen and 23 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and two private schools have also joined. The Cappies season culminates with an awards Gala in June graciously hosted by the National Arts Centre. Follow Canada’s Capital Cappies on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @OttawaCappies.

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