Since mid-December, the West Essex Masquers have been working hard in order to produce a wonderful high school rendition of the musical “Chicago: The Teen Version.” Their production of the musical’s four shows delivered three nights full of sharp choreography, striking stage props and performances that completely shone under the spotlight of the stage.
For anyone lucky enough to see it on March 12-14, it was clear that the Masquers’ months of hard work paid off.
From the moment the lights dimmed in the school’s auditorium, the audience was pulled into the smoky, jazz-filled world of Chicago in the 1920s. The set and props helped create that kind of atmosphere that drew in the eyes of viewers instantly. Chairs, props and lighting were used in creative ways to transform the stage from a courtroom to a jail cell to a vaudeville-style performance space. It felt dynamic and constantly moving, which perfectly matches the fast-paced energy of the musical.
“Each production brings a new set of challenges,” said Michael Galioto, director of the Masquers. “ One of the biggest hurdles was the choreography. Our choreographer had never worked on a high school musical before and because dance and the Fosse style of dance is central to the production, it was a massive undertaking. However, our choreographer (Ondi Ribbon) Miss Ondi absolutely nailed it and inspired a lot of confidence in the students that they were capable of performing this style… the students did a fantastic job with it.”
Of course, the two main stars of the night were the leads: Roxie Hart (senior Emma Rylie-Casper) and Velma Kelly (junior Alexandra Hermans). Roxie and Velma are fame-hungry, murderous co-leads who manipulate the media to evade conviction and achieve stardom. Roxie is an aspiring chorus girl who shoots her lover, Fred Casely, when he attempts to leave her, and she is vain, fame-obsessed and manipulative. She steals the spotlight from Velma by inventing a fake pregnancy to regain media attention. Velma’s an established singer who kills her husband and sister after finding them together, and she is cynical, bold and fiercely territorial of her fame.
Both Casper and Hermans brought incredible confidence and charisma to their roles, commanding the audience’s attention every time they stepped into the spotlight. Their performances balanced humor, drama and the classic sass that “Chicago” is known for, making their characters feel both larger than life and captivating at the same time. With strong vocals and energetic stage presences, the two were magnetic, and their chemistry not only between them and their characters but also with the other cast members made every scene incredible.
“One thing I hope the audience takes away from this musical is just the comedy of the musical and how it is OK for someone to be flawed because no one is perfect!” Casper said when discussing her role. “The most challenging thing about playing Roxie was capturing the contrast of her emotions convincingly, although I did enjoy portraying her bubbly and performative side the best!!”
The success of the show did not rest on the leads alone, considering how the ensemble deserves huge recognition for their energy. “Chicago” is known for its choreography, and the Masquers cast rose to the challenge. The dance numbers were sharp, synchronized and full of personality. Whether it was a big musical number or a smaller moment happening in the background of a scene, every cast member contributed to the world-building and plot of the show.
“Realistically, the biggest challenges I tend to face when tackling the cast’s hair, makeup, and costume changes are any of the mishaps that happen in real time,” said Jessica Maidman, director of the Masquers crew. “When working in live theater, the nature of the beast is being able to adapt. I have been a part of the Masquers Directorial staff for a few years now, and this is always the biggest obstacle. During my time, I have created the Beauty Crew, which is essentially a small team that helps the cast with their stage makeup, hair, and any quick changes they may have backstage. ”
Daniel Viola and Declan Moynihan played the lead male characters of the musical. Viola played Amos Hart, Roxie’s loving and naive husband used as a pawn by Roxie in order to escape conviction. Moynihan played Billy Flynn, a high-priced criminal defense lawyer who turns murder trials into media spectacles and uses his charisma to win people over. Both performed with incredible talent, showcasing complex characters and entertaining scenes and numbers.
For the senior Masquers, this musical was their last run. On cast, Isabella Guantez, Sophie Bonaguide, Lana Da Rocha and Cameron Hansford crushed their roles, along with crew members Charlotte Stevens and Sophia Kulesa.
Regarding the set, lighting changes helped set the mood for each scene, while costumes captivated the glitz and glamor of the Roaring Twenties. Combined with the well-timed prop changes and the smooth scene transitions, the whole production ran with impressive professionalism.
What I believe made the performance especially dazzling was the clear sense of passion from everyone involved. You could tell that the cast, crew and directors truly cared about bringing this rendition to life. That kind of dedication is what makes high school theater so memorable, not just for the audience but also for the students who put their hearts and hard work into it.
The Masquers of West Essex should be incredibly proud of this production. With the standout performances from Casper and Hermans and a hardworking and clearly talented ensemble, “Chicago: The Teen Edition” was an entertaining and impressive show from start to finish.
