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1926 CHICAGO World Premiere, Queer Adaptation is Coming to Redtwist Theatre

Performances will run from October 16 - November 23.

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1926 CHICAGO World Premiere, Queer Adaptation is Coming to Redtwist Theatre

Redtwist Theatre will present a world premiere production replacing Collective Rage: A Play In 5 Betties by Jen Silverman. The new production is Chicago: Queerly Adapted From The Play You've Never Heard Of That Inspired The Musical You Can't Get Away From, October 16 - November 23, by Maurine Dallas Watkins; adapted by Producing Artistic Director Eileen Dixon and Executive Artistic Director Dusty Brown, with contributions from Chelsea Rolfes, Shaina Toledo, Jasmine Robertson, Caroline Kidwell, Jack Seijo, JT Nagle, Laura Sturm and Macaria Chaparro Martinez and directed by Producing Artistic Director Eileen Dixon, at Redtwist Theatre.

Chicago: Queerly Adapted From The Play You've Never Heard Of That Inspired The Musical You Can't Get Away From is a queer adaptation of Maurine Watkins’s 1926 play, Chicago. The play is a satire of lawyers and journalists and the criminals who keep them in business. It's the roaring 20s and Roxy Hart is desperate to get out of Cook County Jail and onto the Vaudeville stage. Join Redtwist in rediscovering this classic story of the Windy City written by the Chicago Tribune journalist who first reported on the real murderesses of Jazz Age Chicago. 

Chicago: Queerly Adapted From The Play You've Never Heard Of That Inspired The Musical You Can't Get Away From cast includes Chelsea Rolfes (she/her, Roxie Hart); Caroline Kidwell* (she/her, Prosecutor Harrison/Liz/Go-To-Hell Kitty); Shaina Toledo (she/her, Mr. Moe Watkins); Jasmine Robertson (she/her, Zelda Morton/Judge); Jack Seijo (he/they, Billy Flynn); Macaria Chaparro Martinez (they/she, Sergeant Murdock/Magdalena); JT Nagle (he/him, Amos Hart); Laura Sturm* (she/her, Velma Kelly/Machine-Gun Rosie) and Ashley Anderson (she/her, Mary Sunshine), Kelsey McGrath (she/they, Roxie Hart U/S); Erin Feldman (she/her, Prosecutor Harrison/Liz/Go-To-Hell Kitty U/S), Lexy Weixel (they/them, Mr. Moe Watkins U/S); Hannah Antman (they/them, Billy Flynn U/S); Elizabeth Bushell (she/her, Velma Kelly/Machine-Gun Rosie U/S); Miranda Hernandez (she/her), Sergeant Murdock/Magdalena U/S); Sania Faith McKnight (she/her, Mary Sunshine U/S); Additional cast to be announced. 

Chicago: Queerly Adapted From The Play You've Never Heard Of That Inspired The Musical You Can't Get Away From production team includes Eileen Dixon* (she/they, director/casting director/producing artistic director); Taylor Owen (he/him, movement director and assistant director); Charlie Levinson (they/she, production stage manager); Seth Eggenschwiller (he/him, fight choreographer); Brandii Champagne (they/any, scenic designer); Madeline Felauer* (she/her, Costume Designer); Leo Bassow* (he/they, props designer); Harper Justus (she/her, sound designer); Jeff Brain* (he/him, technical director); Dusty Brown* (they/them, dramaturg); Cat Davis* (she/her, lighting designer); Laura Sturm* (she/her, intimacy designer); Caroline Kidwell* (she/her, music director) and Raine DeDominici* (they/she, production manager).

*indicates Redtwist Theatre Ensemble Member

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More on Redtwist Theatre
Upcoming Shows
Anatomy of a Suicide
8/12 - 8/30/2026
Twisted Tuesday New Play Readings
9/17 - 5/30/2027
Recent Articles
Review: DESERTED at Redtwist Theatre
Review: DESERTED at Redtwist Theatre
6/21/2026
Photos: DESERTED is Now Playing at Redtwist Theatre
Photos: DESERTED is Now Playing at Redtwist Theatre
6/17/2026
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