The McIntosh theater program is performing the first performance in the 1975 crime musical Chicago on March 26 from 7-10 p.m. Chicago is Broadway’s longest running American musical.

The show is set in the 1920’s and the plot circulates around corruption in the administration of criminal justice. The main character, Roxie Hart is convicted of murdering her love interest, landing herself in Cook County Jail and then manipulating the media with lawyer Billy Flynn to achieve fame.  

Senior Luke Dellatorre is the choreographer of the musical this year.

“I’ve been doing dance for about seven years at the Legacy Theater, and there’s a teacher there who was also the choreographer for the musicals [at McIntosh] in the past. Last year for ‘Mean Girls,’ [Cristina Mariano] asked me to help choreograph. This year, she thought that I could do it by myself, so I became the solo choreographer,” Dellatorre said.

To come up with a dance that Dellatorre feels fit for this specific show, he uses his dance experience and lessons learned from previous choreographers.

“I play the songs on my phone over and over again, and I get a good feel of the song. I try to come up with a vision of what the dance will look like beforehand, and I implement that,” Dellatorre said.

(Left to right) sophomore Zakiya Webb, sophomore Betty Jane Plitt, junior Trisha Flores, junior Katie Ford, sophomore Kristen Cabo. Image submitted by theater program director Kenneth Buswell.

As the musical progresses, the choreography presented in Chicago allows students like sophomore Zakiya Webb to focus on something she’s passionate about.

“[Chicago] gives me a purpose and something to focus on for a few months. I absolutely love that feeling. I feel like I have space to experiment and give my character so much effort. The cast is super supportive and my friends make this show all the more bearable,” Webb said.

While making friends plays a big role in being a part of a cast, having the ability to portray an entirely separate character to yourself contributes to being a part of the Chicago musical.

“I’m excited to be able to transform into [a] whole different person for the audience and for them to feel like they’re watching as close to the real thing as [possible],” Webb said.

Students constructing and assembling props for the school musical Chicago. Image submitted by theater program director Kenneth Buswell.

Visit the McIntosh Theater website to find tickets or upcoming shows, along with other information about McIntosh’s theater program.