CHICAGO Comes To The Gem Theater

Prepare for a classic tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz as One More Productions - one of Southern California's leading musical theater companies - gives Southern California audiences the "old razzle dazzle 'em" with its production of the hit musical Chicago June 2 - 26 at The Gem Theatre in Garden Grove. The show is directed by Damien Lorton and features a full 14-piece orchestra live on stage.

The musical is set in roaring twenties Chicago, where chorine 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. Convicted and sent to 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).

Chicago has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The original Broadway production opened June 3, 1975, at the 46th Street Theatre and ran for 936 performances. Fosse choreographed the original production, and his distinctive style is strongly identified with the show. Chicago's 1996 Broadway revival holds the record for the longest-running musical revival on Broadway and is its fifth longest-running show. As of April 2011, Chicago has played for more than 5,900 performances.

In 1997, Chicago won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, Best Direction and Best Choreography. The show received two Laurence Olivier Awards including Outstanding Musical Production and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 1998. Since then, Chicago has been performed at theatres around the world, and in 2002 Miramax released an Academy Award-winning feature film based on the musical.

"We've been looking forward to producing Chicago. It's a fabulous musical with memorable songs and characters, and a sly story line, " says Lorton. "We've pulled out all the stops for this show-we've got a live 14-piece orchestra on stage, we've got the great Beth Hanson as Mama, and we have some incredibly talented actors, dancers and singers. I think this could be one of the best shows we've ever presented!"

The cast for Chicago includes Beth Hansen as Matron Mama Morton, Tim Klaga as Amos, Gretchen Dawson as Roxie Hart, and Nicole Cassesso as Velma Kelly. Other cast members include Chris Harper, Stephanie Zellhoefer, Rebecca Silverman, Peggy Magee, Carly Taberski, Gemma Hebson, Scarlett Brais, and Danny Diaz.

Tickets & Contact Info

Single tickets are on sale now. Tickets are $35 each ($45 for opening night gala). Thursday previews are Locals Night-Garden Grove residents pay only $15! For more details, call the box office at (714) 741-9550 ext. 221, or visit the website at www.onemoreproductions.com.

Performances

Previews
Thursday & Friday, June 2 & 3 at 8 pm

Gala and Press/VIP Opening:
Saturday, June 4 at 8 pm

Regular run
June 5 - 26

Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 8 pm
Sunday matinees at 3 pm

Ticket Prices
$35
($45 for Gala Opening night)

One More Productions
The Gem Theater
12852 Main St.
Garden Grove, CA 92840
Box Office: (714) 741-9550, ext. 221
www.onemoreproductions.com

About One More Productions
ONE MORE PRODUCTIONS is one of Southern California's leading musical theater companies. Now in its third season at the 158-seat THE GEM THEATER in Garden Grove, One More Productions has been lauded for its quality productions of Broadway musicals. One More Productions was voted one of the top five theaters in all of Southern California this past year by the Los Angeles Times. They were awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and The Saint James Family Honors Award by the Board of Directors of the Orange County Imperial Court. They received a Resolution from the City of Garden Grove, and an official recognition from the County of Orange.

THE GEM THEATER recently underwent a $180,000 renovation, adding a state of the art sound system, newly refurbished theater seats, and a reconfigured stage. The theater also boasts a new lighting system, three separate lobbies, and two separate concession areas and is ADA accessible. The Gem is just moments away from the Garden Grove Freeway (22) and offers plenty of free parking.

 

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