Photo Flash: Opening Night of CHICAGO at the Ogunquit

 

For the first time in Ogunquit Playhouse history, the season has been extended past Columbus Day weekend to October 24. Now is the perfect time to see the multi Tony Award winning Broadway musical Chicago, which is receiving rave reviews from the press for its "stellar casting," "sensational staging" and "killer choreography." This record-breaking smash hit stars Ogunquit favorite Sally Struthers, as Matron "Mama" Morton, keeper of the jailhouse keys and George Dvorsky as the slick lawyer, Billy Flynn. Chicago also stars Broadway veteran Angie Schworer as housewife turned murderess Roxie Hart and Broadway's Rachelle Rak as the seductive night club singer and double murderess, Velma Kelly. Tony-Award winner Paul Kreppel also stars as Amos (aka Mr. Cellophane), Roxie's husband who agrees to take the blame for her violent crime.

The rave reviews for staging and choreography are thanks to Broadway's Gerry McIntyre who helmed the production for the Ogunquit Playhouse. Gerry's long career, both on the stage and behind the scenes has included many Regional, Off-Broadway and Broadway productions, including Chicago, Once On This Island, Anything Goes and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The stellar cast includes Sally Struthers who is a two-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner for her performance in the groundbreaking series "All in the Family." She also starred in the Fox television series "9 to 5" and her own CBS series "Gloria," as well as recurring roles in the CBS comedy "Still Standing" and the CW's highly acclaimed "Gilmore Girls." Sally's many television movies include: "And Your Name is Jonah," "The Great Houdinis" and "Intimate Strangers." Sally co-starred in two legendary motion pictures in the 70s: "Five Easy Pieces" with Jack Nicholson and "The Getaway" with Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw. Sally's first two Broadway forays were in Wally's Café with Rita Moreno and Jimmy Coco and in Neil Simon's female version of The Odd Couple with Brenda Vaccaro. For three years she starred as Miss Mamie Lynch on Broadway and on tour in the Tommy Tune production of Grease. In the 20th Anniversary National Tour of Annie, Sally played the coveted role of Miss Hannigan. Sally was named Best Actress by the Los Angeles Artistic Director Theatre Awards for her role as Louise Seger in the musical, Always...Patsy Cline. She won the 2003 Ovation Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Agnes Gooch in the Los Angeles production of Mame. She has starred in regional productions of Hello, Dolly!, Anything Goes, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, All Shook Up and The Full Monty.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is America's Foremost Summer Theatre, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization producing the finest Broadway musicals each season, with performances Tuesday through Sunday, through October 24, 2010. Main Stage tickets prices range from $49-$67 per show. Gift Certificates and Early-Bird Season Subscriptions are also on sale now. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information, visit the website www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. Tickets are available on-line or through the box office at 207-646-5511.