Brighid M. Docherty is part of "CHICAGO, a Musical Vaudeville" Production

2011 Apr 4

Cazenovia College's spring musical production, "CHICAGO, A Musical Vaudeville," will be presented at the Catherine Cummings Theatre at Cazenovia College, 16 Lincklaen Street in Cazenovia, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 8, 9 and 10, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 15, 16 and 17. The production is directed by David Lowenstein, Cazenovia College's artist in residence, and produced by Colleen Prossner, theatre operations manager.

Among the the performers and crew members is Brighid M. Docherty , of Castleton on Hudson, N.Y., a freshman, majoring in visual communications, who is a member of the Merry Murderesses.

Other cast members are Greg Carter, of New York City, N.Y., who plays Billy Flynn; Lorraine Grande of Syracuse, N.Y., who plays the role of Matron; G. Parlatto, of Cicero, N.Y., who plays the part of Mary Sunshine; and Shane Roberie, of Syracuse, who plays Amos Hart.

Show times are 8 p.m. for Friday and Saturday performances, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Admission for adults is $15; for seniors and students, $12; and ages 12 and under, $10. Tickets may be purchased at Cazenovia Jewelry on Albany St. in Cazenovia, or call 315-655-STAR.

The CHICAGO Web site notes, "The storied tale of CHICAGO's rise from real life court drama to certifiable Broadway smash hit is one only showbiz can claim." The show is based on real events of 1924 in Chicago, when Beulah Annan (Roxie) was accused of killing the "intruder" Harry Kalstedt, while Belva Gaertner (Velma) was charged with murdering her husband. Chicago Tribune reporter Maurine Watkins realized the sensational appeal the two personalities could draw through her tongue-in-cheek reports. She subsequently turned her experience of the trial of the two women into a comedy titled CHICAGO that reached Broadway in 1926. There are two film versions of the story, the first in 1928, and the second, titled "Roxie Hart," starred Ginger Rogers in 1942.

Cazenovia College, named one of "America's Best Colleges" by US News & World Report, is an independent, co-educational, baccalaureate college, located near Syracuse, N.Y. Cazenovia, selected as a College of Distinction by www.collegesofdistinction.com, offers a comprehensive liberal arts education in an exceptional community environment, with academic and co-curricular programs devoted to developing leaders in their professional fields. For more information, visit www.cazenovia.edu.