A new producing group in LA has managed to snatch the rights to the long-running Broadway hit Chicago. The group calls itself Musical Theatre of Los Angeles and is dedicated to "provide an outlet for West Coast musical theatre talent, and, in turn, an opportunity for our members to share their knowledge through our youth outreach performing arts program." The result is a highly professional production of this hit musical, especially by LA's small (99 seats) theatre standards. First and foremost there is a ten-piece orchestra, unheard of in these venues but gladly welcome to those of us who like to hear Broadway music only slightly amplified. Joe Greene is the musical director.

Jeremy Lucas, who was in a national tour of Chicago, directs and choreographs. While basically recreating the choreography of Bob Fosse, Lucas has also incorporated large chunks of the choreography by Anne Reinking from the current Broadway revival. He also incorporates many of Rob Marshall's dance steps from the movie version, and adds some of his own invention. The result is one hell of a dancing show.

Many in the cast are first rate, and all are to be praised for carrying out the complicated choreography. Katrina Lenk, who plays Velma, could step onto the Broadway stage now and star in the show. She is a consummate dancer and a sultry singer with good acting chops. Not far behind is Bonnie McMahon as Roxie. I like her acting and her dancing, though the orchestra did swallow her voice at times.

Though he wouldn't be my first choice for the role, David Pevsner plays Flynn with dash. The audience loved him, as they did Amy K. Murray as Mama with her strong belt. One of my favorite performances was by John Paul Burkhart as Amos, Roxie's "cellophane" husband. The Mary Sunshine of Willam Belli just didn't work for me. There are a number of chorus members who stood out. I didn't catch all of their names, but Nikki Tomlinson, Velma's understudy, is someone to watch - I saw her in Tip Toes at another venue and never forgot her.

Chicago has not been available for production outside New York, but now, Musical Theatre of Los Angeles has produced the first staging outside of Broadway and the results are fully professional. Go see this amazing production at the Hudson Backstage Theatre
before it disappears Dec 16th. For tickets call (323) 960-4424 or reserve online.