And all that Jazz: Chicago takes the stage
Photo courtesy of Jef Kratochvil/Wikimedia Commons
Come check out SUNY Geneseo's musical theatre program's production of Chicago before it's over!
This April, SUNY Geneseo’s musical theatre program is bringing a little jazz, scandal, and spectacle to campus with its production of Chicago. Performances will run from Apr. 15 to 19 in the Alice Austin Theatre, inviting audiences into a world where crime and celebrity go hand in hand.
Set in the roaring 1920s, Chicago follows Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who finds herself in jail after murdering her lover. There, she meets fellow inmate and vaudeville performer Velma Kelly, who is awaiting trial for killing her husband and sister. The two women, both determined to turn their scandals into stardom, enlist the help of the charismatic and manipulative lawyer Billy Flynn, who transforms their trials into full-blown media events. As Roxie and Velma compete for headlines, Chicago reveals how quickly public opinion can shift—and how easily truth can be reshaped into entertainment.
The show is widely known for its sharp satire, poking fun at the relationship between crime, fame, and public attention. What makes the musical especially distinctive is its vaudeville-inspired style. The production blends dark humor with high-energy performances, featuring iconic numbers like “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” and “Razzle Dazzle” by John Kander and Fred Ebb.
At Geneseo, that energy is brought to life by a cast deeply invested in both the story and each other. Jena Balzano, a sophomore musical theater major who plays Velma Kelly, shared, “It feels so tremendous creating something with the people you love most in the world, and getting to do what you love.” For Balzano, the experience goes beyond performance, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the production and the relationships formed along the way.
That sense of connection is echoed by Joshua Hemmings, a senior musical theatre major who plays Billy Flynn. Reflecting on the rehearsal process, he noted that one of the most meaningful aspects has been “actually getting to interact more with some of my juniors,” highlighting how productions like Chicago create opportunities for collaboration across class years within the department.
Though Chicago feels timeless, its roots are firmly grounded in real history. The story is based on true cases from the 1920s, reported by journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins, who covered sensational trials involving women being accused of murder. Many of these women were acquitted after their cases became media spectacles, inspiring Watkins to write the original play that would later become the musical.
The version audiences know today was shaped in part by choreographer and director Bob Fosse, whose signature style—precise, stylized, and unmistakably jazz-influenced—helped define the show’s identity. His work, combined with the music of John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, turned Chicago into a production that is as visually striking as it is thematically sharp.
Bringing a production of this scale to life requires a significant collaborative effort behind the scenes as well. “For our version of Chicago, it takes many, many hands to be able to bring this show [to] life,” Hemmings explained, pointing to the wide range of designers, technicians, and performers contributing their expertise. From lighting and scenic design to costumes, wigs, and live music, the production draws on talent both within and beyond the Geneseo community.
Balzano brought attention to this shared commitment, noting that “every single person who is a part of this production dedicates a lot of their time to make it happen,” resulting in a final product that reflects both individual effort and collective trust. That level of dedication is guided by director Scott Scaffidi, whose leadership helps shape the show’s vision while allowing performers and designers to fully explore the material.
At Geneseo, the show promises to bring that same energy to the stage. With performances held in Alice Austin Theatre, audiences can expect an up-close experience with the cast as they navigate ambition, rivalry, and the blurred line between justice and performance. As Hemmings put it, “There is so much talent on this stage… Every single person is putting their heart and soul into this show.”
Tickets will be available online through the Geneseo Musical Theatre Instagram at @geneseo_musicaltheatre via QR codes posted around campus, or at the door. For more information, students can visit the SUNY Geneseo website or follow the production on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.