CMSD’s All City Musical takes the stage at the Mimi Ohio with ‘Chicago’

Photo By Mark Horning

It’s Springtime (really it is) and time for the All City Musical at the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square. Students enrolled in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District began with auditions all they way back in November of 2024. For the past four plus months they have met after school and weekends with certified arts teachers as they prepare to put on a Broadway worthy show for the 23rd time.

This year’s production is the Broadway hit “Chicago”. Twenty five talented students have come together under the watchful eye of All City Arts Director Kimberly L. Brown and her staff to offer a dazzling production. This is a professional-level show that features fantastic Jazz numbers, dancing, acting, stunning sets, exquisite costumes (with multiple costume changes), great lighting and sound and a full live orchestra.

“Chicago” is a 1975 musical that features songs by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb as well as book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The world premiere was a Broadway tryout in the Spring of 1975 in Philadelphia opening on Broadway on June 3, 1975 at the 46th Street Theatre where it ran for 936 performances. The show holds the record for longest-running musical revival (it won the Tony Award in 1996 for best Broadway Revival) and longest-running American musical in Broadway history. The show has extensively toured in the United States and the UK. The 2002 film of the same name won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Set in the roaring 20s, it is a tale of ambition, crime, celebrity, murder and corruption as Cleveland’s own students leave their own mark on this Broadway classic. The show features vibrant energy, captivating dancing and a list of unforgettable catchy tunes.

Velma Kelly (Vaniya Johnson) and ensemble welcomes the audience to the show (“All That Jazz”) as we cut to Chicago, February 14, 1928. In the bedroom of Roxie Hart (Tatiaunna Hope) we witness the murder of her boyfriend Fred Casely (Gavin Beard) as he attempts to break up with her. Roxie convinces her husband Amos (Daten Jones) that the victim was a burglar and that he should take the blame. Roxie sings of her appreciation for her husband taking the rap (“Funny Honey”) but when the detective finds the victim’s ID Amos realizes he has been had as he knew the deceased as a furniture salesman. Roxie’s song changes from adulation to hate in mid tune. Roxie confesses and is arrested and hauled away.

Roxie ends up at the women’s block in the Cook County Jail that houses all of the female capital criminals awaiting trial or execution (“Cell Block Tango”). Roxie is introduced to Velma who is accused of murdering her husband and sister after catching them “in the act”. She pleads blacking out and does not remember any details of the crime. The block is lorded over by Matron “Mama” Morton (Lenise Jameson) who is not above taking bribes (“When Your Good To Mama”). Mama has seen to it that Velma is the top “murderer-of-the-week” and is already booking Velma’s return to vaudeville.

Velma is not happy about Roxie taking the limelight as well as her lawyer, Billy Flynn (Josue Castro-Hernandez). Roxie sees Billy as her chance to beat the rap and convinces Amos to hire Billy. Billy takes the case with a fan dance number (“All I Care About”) but then finds that Amos is light for half of the $5,000. Billy turns the case into a media circus even planning to sell Roxie’s personal effects (including underwear) to make up the difference. Billy sells the story to sympathetic tabloid columnist Mary Sunshine (Luna McAdams) (“A Little Bit of Good”). Billy turns the arranged press conference into a ventriloquist act with Roxie on his lap as he dictates the new “Truth” (“We Both Reached for the Gun”).

After the press conference Roxie is now the most popular crime celebrity in Chicago as she makes plans for her own vaudeville act (“Roxie”). With Roxie becoming famous, Velma’s press time disappears. Velma tries to talk Roxie into joining her in a “sister act” but Roxie turns her down (“I Can’t Do It Alone”). The two then realize that the only person they can count on is themselves. Roxie decides to invent a pregnancy while fainting on the stage.

“Chicago: Teen Edition” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals and is based on a play by Maurine Dallas Watkins. This is the 23rd year for an All-City Musical production by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s Fine Arts Department. The show is is presented with the support from partners that include Playhouse Square, the City of Cleveland, Cleveland State University and The Musical Theater Project.

The students who work behind the scenes come from all around the Cleveland area including Cleveland School of the Arts, John Marshall School of Civic & Business leadership, John Marshall School of Information Technology and Max S. Hayes High School. Their talents in scenic design, set building and painting are a hands on internship program in collaboration with Hughie’s Event Production Services of Cleveland (a leading company in the industry). Students will receive credit as the scenic designers in the production’s playbill.

As for the actors, they are terrific. Josue Castro-Hernandez as Billy Flynn is perfect as the flim-flamming lawyer Billy Flynn. He has the voice and convincing facial ticks that reveals what he is actually thinking. Daten Jones as Amos Hart as the sad sack husband steals the show with his version of “Mr. Cellophane”. Lenise Jameson as Mama belts out a stunning rendition of “When Your Good To Mama”. Vaniya Johnson as Velma Kelly is striking from the get go “All That Jazz” and carries the energy throughout the show. Lastly, Tatiaunna Hope as Roxie Hart is the consummate performer who delivers an excellent performance throughout the show.

The show would not be nearly as successful and of such high quality without the tireless efforts of the staff. Choreographer Rosalyn “Pinque” Dale is masterful in turning this collection of raw talent into a splendid performance of dance. Locally well known costume designer Inda Blatch-Geib brings her years of experience to outfit the entire cast in numerous clothing changes. The stage design was all completed with the work of student interns under the supervision of Dave Brooks and it is spectacular. The splendid lighting design is crafted by Colleen Albrecht who put many hours in an empty theater perfecting the various lighting moods. Richard Ingraham handles the sound design requirements seeing that each actor is properly mic’d and voices are crisp and clear. Overseeing the many details is Thomas Hauser who is “the man to know who knows everything”. The show is directed by Kimberly L. Smith who guides her charges with love and patience. The same can be said about Dr. Thomas (known lovingly as DT) who brings out the very best of his musicians. His twelve piece orchestra is excellent in recreating the fast paced pulsing sounds of ragtime jazz.

Once again the Cleveland School For The Arts has gathered together the absolute finest of talent from the thousands of students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to produce a Broadway worthy performance. This show will delight you with its music, dancing, gymnastics, singing, acting and high production standards (just the reasons you go to the theater).

There will be three performances of the All City Musical taking place at the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square on Friday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 23 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are general admission and cost $15. You can purchase tickets by going to https://tickets.playhousesquare.org/ or by calling (216) 241-6000.