CHICAGO

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Director's Note

Greetings and welcome to Chicago! Upon selecting our shows for the season, two main goals we had involved getting students out of their comfort zone and continuing to grow our already incredible AMTAD Academy. After a magical and challenging trip into Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, the only way to level up our students, even more, was Chicago. I truly believe we accomplished our goals marvelously.

You are here to witness THE musical sensation centered around the corrupt legal system during the roaring “jazz hot” 20s. Chicago tells the story of two rival vaudevillian murderesses who hire the best criminal lawyer in their fight against each other and the public for freedom and fame. It's pretty wild to think that the themes surrounding celebrity status being more important than the law are still alive and well more than 100 years later. A little "razzle dazzle" can go a long way, right?

Throughout rehearsals, we realized the world of Bob Fosse was more difficult than we thought. Gone were the days of singing notes only within our range and dancing without stretching. We were way past our comfort zone from day one. It takes a great deal of talent to perfect Fosse's specific and sharp style of isolations and our company has proven that with hard work and dedication - our talents are far greater than we realized. It has been one of the biggest joys of my life to see our students overcome their fears, stretch their capabilities, and increase their confidence exponentially. That is educational theatre at its finest! The level of experience within our company ranges from seasoned veterans to stage debuts! It's pretty incredible to witness how a united group of people from different backgrounds and experiences can create such an amazing form of art.

Finally, I would be remiss to write a director's note without acknowledging how blessed I am to be surrounded by a group of teachers, staff, and parents who have helped me create this wonderful opportunity for our students. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. It takes a village, and mine went into the cell block and beyond to make this vision as amazing as it has been.

"You can like the life you're living. You can live the life you like." ~Roxie Hart

Enjoy the show ... and all that jazz!
~Brett Harwood, Director

Musical Numbers

ACT ONE

All That Jazz - Velma, Ensemble

Funny Honey - Roxie

Cell Block Tango - Liz, Annie, June, Hunyak, Velma, Mona, Ensemble

When You're Good To Mama - Matron Mama Morton

All I Care About Is Love - Billy, Ensemble

We Both Reached For The Gun - Billy, Roxie, Mary Sunshine, Ensemble

Roxie - Roxie, Ensemble

I Can't Do It Alone - Velma

My Own Best Friend - Roxie, Velma

**15-MINUTE INTERMISSION**

ACT TWO

Me And My Baby - Roxie, Velma

Mr. Cellophane - Amos

When Velma Takes The Stand - Velma, Ensemble

Razzle Dazzle - Billy, Roxie, Ensemble

Nowadays - Roxie, Velma

Hot Honey Rag - Roxie, Velma

Meet the Company

Virginia Almendarez Arias

Ensemble/Kitty

Virginia is a junior and has been in two previous shows before this one. She is super excited to be in this production. Virginia has long awaited, with the rest of the cast, to perform this. She and the cast have worked hard to make this the best show it can be, and they are all very excited.

Chinaza Amagwula

Reporter/Ensemble

Chinaza is a high school senior who has a deep love of the performing arts. She is excited to be a part of Chicago because it will encourage her growth as a performer particularly in singing and dancing. Her most exciting moment thus far was during the production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream where she was cast as Helena and performed a monologue at the Fillmore in Downtown Silver Spring.

Tierra Ashby

Ensemble

Tierra is a first-time theatre performer with past experiences performing in dance and choir in middle school. This is her first year at Northwood. Performing in theatre for the first time was very new to her being that her hobbies are very solo such as; guitar, skateboarding, and sleeping. She is in the ensemble learning how to work together to complete something as big as Chicago.

Mickeltha Bobo

Ensemble

Mickeltha Bobo is a 9th grader who attends Northwood High School. This is her first show ever and she's very excited. Look out for Mickeltha as she sings and dances in most of the songs!

Evan Buskirk

Ensemble

Evan is really excited to be a part of Chicago, especially as this is the first musical they will be preforming in. Evan has done other performances at Nothwood though, as they were in the production of 'Midsummer' last fall and has been in several of the schools dance concerts. They would like to thank all of their friends and family for being so supportive. Evan hopes that you enjoy the show!

Daniella F Bustios Sanchez

Hunyak/Ensemble

Daniella is so excited to be taking part in Chicago, a play she loves especially for its choreography. She is a little nervous yet ready to show off her hard work in Hungarian for the past month. This is her last year of high school and plans on going off to university for her long-awaited Illustration BFA. She also hopes on getting more amazing opportunities like these in the future to not stop dancing (a passion of hers). HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY CHICAGO :))

Guiandine Cadet

Ensamble

Guiandine is excited to be part of "Chicago." She is a part of the theatre department as it is her first year here at Northwood. Her favorite roles from shows in her past schools were Annie from the musical "Annie" and Nala from "The Lion King." Guiandine wishes to attend Juilliard or pursue law school to become a lawyer.

Julissa Diaz

Annie/Ensemble

Julissa has been in the Northwood Dance Department since the 9th grade and hopes to pursue a career in Dance. She was part of "All Together Now!" and Chicago will be her second theatre production. Julissa hopes the audience will have a great time enjoying the show!

Daniela Dominguez

Crew - Spotlight

This is their second play with Northwood. They are excited about being a part of this production and also hope to help in the future. In their spare time, they like to draw, watch shows and hang out with their siblings. They hope everyone enjoys the show!

Nnamdi Edward

Amos Hart

Nnamdi is very happy to be able to participate in this production at Northwood. Covid has changed so much but thankfully, it seems safe to say things are getting better and back to how they used to be. He has done nine shows and his favorite was Sébastien in Twelfth Night. Lastly, he wants to thank everyone who came out and have a lovely night.

Ada Fetalcorin

Ensemble

Ada is overjoyed to be a part of the amazing cast of Chicago. Now a junior at Northwood, she has been in many AMTAD performances. Some include "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" and "All Together Now!" She would like to thank many people, from teachers to friends, old and new, her family, the Saturday families (y’all know who you are!), for everything they gave that led her to the stage. Enjoy, and all that jazz!

Leslie Morla Gomez

Ensemble

Leslie is thrilled to have her musical debut in ‘Chicago’ at Northwood High School. She worked with the director, Mr. Harwood, last year on a theatre showcase. Leslie has always loved acting and only started pursuing it the previous year. When Leslie isn't at school she loves to play guitar, dance, and watch her favorite shows and films. Leslie would like to thank her family, especially her mother, for always supporting her.

Buraihahjuwayyriah B. Haya

Crew - Makeup

Buraihahjuwayyriah is thrilled to be a part of Chicago!

Jordan Holt

Matron Mama Morton

Jordan is excited to make her Northwood musical theatre debut as Mama in "Chicago." She was an active member of Washington Performing Arts' Children of The Gospel doing things like performing at embassies and other private events. Jordan was most recently seen as Starveling in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Jordan would like to thank all the people who have supported her through her acting and singing journey so far. After this year she plans on going to college to major in theatre and minor in sociology. She says thank you for coming and enjoy the show!

Elessar Issenberg

Fred/Ensemble

Elessar is thrilled to be a part of Chicago!

Sophia Johnson

Ensemble

Sophia is SO excited to be a part of Chicago! She’s a member of the Ensemble, and hopes to bring a lively energy and exaggerated flair to the stage. She enjoys all the singing and dancing that tell this crazy story! She’s been in Theatre at Northwood since her sophomore year and is happy to be in another production. She thanks her supportive friends, family and company, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Ilana Kissel

Ensemble

Ilana is a junior at Northwood and has been involved in theatre since elementary school, making this her 20th production. She is a huge fan of Chicago and would like to give a shout-out to her siblings who have listened to the soundtrack with her for years. Ilana feels so lucky that she is able to put on this production alongside her friends.

Brooklyn Koker

Crew - Run Crew

Brooklyn is thrilled to be a part of Chicago!

Nathaniel Lehman

Ensemble

Nathaniel is super excited for Chicago to be his last show at Northwood. Some of his past shows have been "Into the Woods", "All Together Now!", and "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Nathaniel has loved his time at Northwood in all the productions he's been in and is excited to go out with a bang.

Charlotte Mattison

Mona/Ensemble/Roxie Understudy

Charli is delighted to get to perform in her 4th theatre experience! Chicago is by far her favorite Broadway show! She is still in disbelief that she gets to contribute to such an iconic and gracefully suave musical. Enjoy the performance, funny honeys! If you don’t - well, I guess it can all be chalked up to artistic differences.

Allissa McCoy

Clerk/Ensemble

Allissa is so excited to be a part of Chicago! She has a passion for dance, theatre, and being a performer. This is her first time doing a musical and super grateful for the opportunity. She would like to thank her family and friends for all the love and support. She thanks the cast and crew for their hard work. Enjoy the show!!

Quin McMenamin

Assistant Stage Manager

Quin has been acting for years. From a young age, his passion for acting shone through into multi-medium performances in elementary school with miming, puppetry, and traditional acting. On stage, he’s been in many plays within all kinds of genres. Quin now is taking a stab at the other side of the stage and is extremely excited to be the assistant stage manager for the classic show, Chicago!

Candia Melvin

Liz/Ensemble

Candia Melvin is very excited to be a part of "Chicago." She is playing Liz/Ensemble. This is her second production at Northwood. She was previously a part of Northwood's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as Hippolyta. For "Chicago", she's ready to bring fierceness to the stage. She would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support.

Chloe Motsebo

Ensemble/Mama Understudy

Chloe Motsebo is a senior at Northwood High School and is thrilled to be a part of Chicago. She has been doing theatre since middle school and has been in productions of "The Music Man", and "Twelfth Night", as well as Northwood’s production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" last spring. She is extremely proud of the hard work the cast and crew have put into this show. She hopes you can sit back and enjoy!

Khadija Ndiaye

Velma Kelly

Khadija is a Junior at Northwood and is overjoyed to be a part of this incredible production. She has been working with the Northwood AMTAD and Theatre Department since the beginning of her high school career, having previously been in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", and "The Tony Goes To..." She was also a competitor in the 2022 Regional ACT-SO Competition. She would like to thank everyone who was a part of this production, her family, and her friends for supporting her throughout this production process. A lot of hard work went into this show and it's bound to "Razzle Dazzle" you.

Michael Nielson

Harry/Ensemble

Michael is excited to be doing their second ever production. This time, a musical. Michael has never really been fond of musicals, but they really enjoyed the last production so they are going out of their comfort zone and here they are. Michael went into this with a worry that they wouldn’t enjoy it as much, but was wrong. Michael started to really enjoy the rehearsal process and is proud of accomplishing something extremely difficult.

Aida Nyabingi

Ensemble/Velma Understudy

Aïda Nyabingi is a senior at Northwood High School performing in her 7th and final show here. Previous performances include, Into The Woods (2019), Wolves (2020; that was not performed due to Covid- 19), Help Desk (2021), All Together Now! (2021), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2022). Northwood has been a place where Aïda has honed her skill and love for performance and learned that she would like to peruse it next year as she enters college and far in the future. She will always hold Northwood in her heart as her alma mater. She’d like to thank you all for all the support and love for the passion. Enjoy the show!

Stephanie Nyambare

Judge/Ensemble

Stephanie is grateful for being able to participate in a beautiful production like Chicago. This is Stephanie's first time working with Northwood's Theatre Department. Although Stephanie was nervous, she made it through the weeks of rehearsal. Stephanie would like to thank her parents for making time for her in the evening and being able to pick her up after rehearsals.

Andru Orosco

Crew - Props/Lights

Andru is thrilled to be a part of Chicago!

Flor Palma

Reporter/Ensemble

Flor is excited to be in their fourth production here at Northwood! They are in 10th Grade and are thrilled to be on stage again! You might know them in previous productions from “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” to “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”. Flor is happy to be in this production and hopes to continue their pursuit of theatre and performing in the future with the people they met along the way!

Diego Pineda

Ensemble

Diego is so excited to be a part of Chicago - making his stage debut! Diego hopes to pursue a career in bio-engineering in Johns Hopkins University. He would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support.

Melany Portillo Ventura

Assistant Stage Manager

Melany is a freshman at Northwood High School and a member of the TESS Academy. She has worked the lighting system in the Winter Dance Show and was the lead spotlight operator in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This is her second show doing Northwood Theatre and her first show working as a stage manager. Melany is thrilled to be a part of this production. She would like to thank her loved ones for supporting her.

Kalli Rickard

Crew - Props/Makeup/Costumes

Kalli is very excited to be a part of the production of Chicago. Kalli is honored to be working with props, costumes, and makeup.

Madison Riggs

Ensemble

Madison is thrilled to be in Chicago! This will be Madison's third time being involved in a production at Northwood but her first time on stage. She would like to thank her parents for their constant support and for encouraging her to audition.

Miles Riggs

Crew - Sound/Run Crew

This will be Miles' 4th production at Northwood. He is reprising his role backstage from "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Putnam County Spelling Bee", and "All Together Now!"

Willa Rothenberg

Stage Manager

Willa is a Junior at Northwood High School. She has been involved in theatre since the 6th grade and loves being able to bring stories to life. Since starting at Northwood in 9th grade, she has been involved in four shows, including "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "All Together Now!" Chicago is her fifth show with Northwood High School's theatre program and she’s so excited to be a part of the amazing company. Willa thanks her family, Mr. Harwood, and Mr. Sullivan for supporting her through the process of making Chicago come to life.

Eli Schreiber

Amos Hart

Eli is ecstatic to be performing in Northwood’s production of Chicago! He’s loved theater for 10 years and his favorite roles have been Leaf in "Spelling Bee", Quince in "Midsummer", and a featured soloist in "All Together Now!" Eli is also a part of Northwood’s AMTAD program and plans to pursue his acting career in college next year. He would like to thank his friends, family, and chicken noodle soup for their support!

Zachary Singer

Billy Flynn

Zachary is an MC2 sophomore in his fourth Northwood show. He has most recently been seen in Silver Spring Stage’s production of "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus." At Northwood, he has played Demetrius in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Chip in "Spelling Bee" and a Narrator in "All Together Now!" Zachary has been in several other community theatre and school productions. He is overjoyed to be part of such an incredible show!

Amanda St. Francis

Roxie Hart

Mandie is a senior at Northwood High School and she has been a member of the AMTAD program for all four years. Throughout her experience, she’s been Dance Captain, Co-Choreographer, and cast member of Northwood’s past productions. She is thrilled to be in this production and she hopes to continue her performance journey at UMD in the fall. She would like to thank her friends, family, and her directors for making this opportunity possible!

Matthew Stringer

Ensemble

Matthew is thrilled to be an Ensemble member. Chicago is his first-ever play. Though, he likes to say that he’s had other play experiences through his mother and sister. He wants to thank his dad, his mom, his sister, his friends, and his extended family as well for always being there for him and supporting him in this endeavor.

Kameron Sturdivant

Fogarty/Ensemble

Kameron is very excited to be part of Chicago! This would be his 2nd production at Northwood. He was Puck in the fall production of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." He’s been doing theatre for 6 years now. Other roles Kameron has played have been: Charlie Brown in "You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown", Micheal in "Peter Pan", and others. Kameron would like to thank everyone who has supported them all these years. Now enjoy the show!

Grace Willis

Mary Sunshine/Ensemble

Grace is a Senior at Northwood High School and is so grateful for everyone who has helped in making her last show here a wonderful experience, as well as every musical production since her freshman year. There’s not a single person she won’t miss. Everybody at Northwood has helped her so much and contributed to her decision to go to Southern Virginia University this fall to major in Music Education. She loves you all and hopes you all enjoy the show!

SPECIAL THANKS

We would like to give a very special THANK YOU to:

JARMER FLOORING for the generous donations to our program!
You literally helped us take the steps we needed to do what we
love to do. THANK YOU all, so much!

LAWRENCE CLOTHIERS for lending us the tuxedo for Billy Flynn to
look like the best criminal lawyer in all of Chicago! THANK YOU!

A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to all the parents/guardians who donated their time, money, and gave so much support. We would not have made it through taking the SAT, school performances, AND opening night without you all donating all the food, drinks and goodies to enjoy in between performances. THANK YOU for getting costumes, buying SO MANY leggings/tights, and providing snacks for our long technical rehearsals (sorry for running a bit late for some of those!). We feel so unbelievably blessed to have such a supportive community that allows us to do what we love to do. We literally wouldn't be able to do it without you. THANK YOU.

Coming Soon!

Please continue supporting Northwood's
Academy of Music, Theatre, and Dance
by attending our upcoming productions ...