‘Chicago’ the musical

A packed Ballantyne Auditorium on Nov. 2, 3, 4, and 5 at Kirkwood Community College was full of students, family, college employees and community members who came to watch “Chicago” the musical.  

Kirkwood’s theatre and music department spent months on the operations of this musical. 

A cast list of 20 actors and actresses, and many pit members were part of the performances that had nearly sold out.  

The two acts consisted of several songs featuring the performers and the pit. Alec Battien, an EMS student, said, “My favorite part of ‘Chicago’ was meeting new people in the cast and crew and getting to know the pit orchestra better. We had a lot of fun in rehearsals. It was very successful because there was such a talented group of people and we blended well together.”  

Kirkwood has performed musicals such as ‘Shrek,’ ‘Big Fish,’ ‘Sweeny Todd,’ and several others popularized by Broadway. 

The cast of “Chicago” performs “Overture” on the top of the set during the Friday evening performance on Nov. 3, 2023, in Ballantyne Auditorium at Kirkwood Community College.

Ella Schmitz, who plays Velma Kelly, performs “And All That Jazz” in the first act of “Chicago.”

Holding a cigar in her left hand, Matron Mama Morton, played by Justeen Schoner, and Roxie Hart, played by Bobbi Scott, perform “When You’re Good to Mama” in the first act.

Jacob Cacioppo, who plays Amos Hart, performs “We Both Reached For the Gun.”

Katalin Hunyak, played by Madison Hovancik, and ensemble perform “Cell Block Tango” in the first act. The jail cell bars were part of a movable set.

Liz Schultz – Managing Editor

Liz is a second year Journalism and Mass Communications student who has been Creative Director and News Editor with the Communiqué. She also works at 88.3 KCCK as a Radio News Intern and the Corridor Business Journal as a Reporting Intern. After receiving her associate degree from Kirkwood, she will transfer to the University of Iowa with the 2+2 program. At Iowa, she will continue her journalism passions with the Daily Iowan newspaper and DITV. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she plans to work as a Multimedia Journalist and Reporter/News Anchor for KCCI in Des Moines or another station in Iowa.