'Chicago' brings corruption, conniving and 'All That Jazz' to Seton Hill stage

Good things are worth the wait, especially if the “good thing” is the opportunity to bring one of the longest-running stage shows in Broadway history to Seton Hill University.

It took three tries for Denise Pullen, associate professor of theater at Seton Hill, to secure the rights to produce the jazz-age musical “Chicago,” the fall production of the university’s theater department Oct. 25-Nov. 3.

“First we couldn’t get the rights, then we got them and they were rescinded because a tour was coming through. Third time is a charm,” she said. “And who doesn’t love ‘Chicago’? It’s one big production number after another. It’s irreverent, it’s funny, it’s Fosse. It features a cast of corrupt, conniving characters. It’s the perfect showcase for our musical theater students’ talents.”

Pullen is directing the musical at the university’s Performing Arts Center in Greensburg, with Joseph Domencic, assistant professor of musical theatre and theatre, as musical director, and TaMara Swank, assistant professor and dance department coordinator, as choreographer.

Cast of characters

The musical focuses on two rival “Roaring ’20s” performers, night club star Velma (Michaela Isenberg of Bethel Park) and chorus girl Roxie (Maddie Kocur of Oakmont), who are in jail for unrelated murders. Add slickster defense lawyer Billy Flynn (Travis Miller of Greensburg) into the mix and a media frenzy ensues.

The three musical theater majors at Seton Hill are excited to be selected to perform in the iconic musical.

“I remember seeing ‘Chicago’ on Broadway in 2016, and ever since then I have been drawn to the Fosse dance style and captivating story,” says Isenberg. “I have always dreamt of performing in this show one day. I am so grateful that I finally can!”

Isenberg’s past shows include “The Seagull” for Seton Hill, and “Legally Blonde,” “Shrek: The Musical,” “Curtains” and “West Side Story” for Bethel Park High School.

A dream come true

Since she was a little girl, Kocur says, “I have watched the movie countless times, and dreamed of one day having the opportunity to dance across the stage as Roxie or Velma. It is honestly a dream come true to bring one of these leading ladies to life and breathe life into such a quintessential show.”

Kocur has acted in “Company” and “The Seagull” at Seton Hill, “Everybody” at 12 Peers Theater, and “Footloose” for Keystone State Musical Theatre.

“Billy Flynn has always been a dream role of mine since high school, so to have the opportunity to play him filled me with excitement and dread,” says Miller. “This show is special because of its beautiful musical orchestrations and its iconic Fosse dance style.”

Miller’s credits include “Titanic” for Split Stage Productions, “Heathers” for The Theatre Factory, and “Clybourne Park” and “The Seagull” at Seton Hill.

All-out student effort

Pullen says there are upwards of 60 theater students involved in Seton Hill’s staging of “Chicago,” including the cast, stage management, technicians, musicians, costume personnel, front of house, box office, builders and others.

“Almost every student in the department had a hand in this production. It’s big,” the director says.