Bringing “Chicago” to Life at NMU, From a Director’s Point of View
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“Chicago” opens at the Forest Roberts Theatre in just a few days. We are putting the last touches in place, seeing lights and props for the first times, getting into costumes and makeup, and making the last few tweaks to everyone’s performances, and I couldn’t be more excited. “Chicago” is a dream show for me, one I have wanted to do again since the minute last production of it I was involved in closed in 2003.
Billy Flynn, played by Anthony Pruett, razzle dazzles the crowd in the Forest Roberts Theatre production of “Chicago”. (photo by Ron Caspi)
Martyn Martello, associate director of the NMU Forest Roberts Theatre production of “Chicago”. (photo by Ron Caspi)
The last time I was the scenic designer/Technical Director/Assistant Director and played Fred Casley. It was a hoot out at the Vista and the production was pretty darn good, especially considering our lack of resources, hurried (31 days total) production schedule, and the limited technical resources available at the Vista. It was an intense experience and one of my favorites in 50 years of being involved in the theater.
This time around, I am honored to be helping to produce this show at NMU’s Forest Roberts Theatre. I had endeavored to produce the show on my own at Kaufman Auditorium, but that proved to be impossible. When Ansley Valentine, the Director of Theatre at the FRT, approached me about being involved in the production I jumped at the chance.
Ansley Valentine, Director of Theatre at NMU and director of the Forest Roberts Theatre production of “Chicago”. (photo by Ron Caspi)
Ansley invited me to join the production staff from the moment that they announced that the show was heading to the NMU stage. But my role in the production was undefined. Ansley knew how much I wanted to direct and produce the show, but he was already serving in that capacity. We bandied about several titles and job descriptions. “Assistant Director” wasn’t it. “Guest Director”? Nope. Finally we settled on “Associate Director” and away we went.
It has been interesting working in this fashion. I am normally a lone wolf, a control freak, I don’t “play well with others.” And I would be working on someone else’s vision and concept for a show. A new role for me. Thankfully, Ansley and I seem to be working mostly with a shared brain on the show. We take a lot of the same notes during rehearsals. The same things don’t play well to both of us. Not 100 percent of the time, but almost. Many of my tweaks to the show have been embraced, some have not, but overall, I have felt welcome and engaged and am thrilled to help with the show.
Liza Hunter as Velma Kelly, dances with other cast bad girls from the jailhouse in “Chicago”. (photo by Ron Caspi)
I am excited about this show for a number of reasons. First, it is “Chicago”, one of the longest running shows in Broadway history (The current New York production will take the crown as second longest running show from “Cats” a day or two after our show closes here). “Chicago” is one of the crown jewels in the great Kander and Ebb catalog, which also includes “Cabaret”, “Kiss of the Spider Woman”, “Woman of the Year”, and “Fosse.” The story is a gas, based on actual events in Cook County, Illinois in the 1920s.
The music is great and the characters are rich and bigger than life. And the dance…oh my goodness, the dance. Bob Fosse choreographed the original show and our talented Choreographer, Jill Grundstrom (assisted by Jake DeLong), has done an amazing job of capturing the Fosse feel without cribbing too much from his actual choreography for the show. It is fresh and traditional at the same time. I love watching her work with a cast with varying degrees of dance talent and experience and molding them into a cohesive unit. Patrons will be hard pressed to tell “the dancers” from the “non-dancers.” David Dagenais is our musical/vocal director and he has also done remarkable things with this cast. I’d put this troupe up against any touring company of the show, they are that good.
Roxie Hart, played by Erin Resteiner and Billy Flynn played by Anthony Pruett, address the press in “Chicago” opening Wednesday night at the Forest Roberts Theatre in Marquette, MI. (photo by Ron Caspi)
Our cast…wow. I have enjoyed working with each and every one of them. From our Roxie (Erin Restainer) all the way to folks who are “just in the ensemble”, they have all stretched their talents. Grown. Learned. Put in the extra efforts. Put their hearts and souls into every detail. I couldn’t be prouder. And even though I am sort of an outsider, not on staff at NMU, they have all treated me with respect and as one of the directors, not a note-taking flunky. This show is challenging for all. The ensemble is one of the hardest working and most used in any show. There really is no such thing as “just being part of the ensemble” in this show and it didn’t take long for everyone to get that.
We’ve had the luxury of a fairly long (at least long to me) rehearsal schedule. Jill had lots of time up front to work her magic on the choreography. David got the time he needed to make the vocal magic happen. And Ansley and I are putting the finishing touches on the characters and other details. The show will be as slick and polished and professional as it should be. I always tell my cast and crew on shows I direct that I won’t be satisfied with good acting, or good singing, or good choreography, or good technical work…I want it all. Everything. I’m not willing to let a show go up that isn’t excellent everywhere. And that is what this crew is delivering. Everything. I’ve enjoyed this experience at NMU more than I can say and I cannot wait till we open Wednesday.
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