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The Durham Academy Upper School fine arts department is thrilled to present Chicago: Teen Edition from Feb. 16–18 in Kenan Auditorium. Adapted from the 1996 Broadway revival (now the second-longest running show in Broadway history), the version presented here is a slightly abridged adaptation designed for high school performers. Set in the 1920s, the musical is a meditation on American society and what people are willing to do for fame and fortune, themes that resonate strongly in the 2020s. Chicago: Teen Edition may be shorter than the show currently running on Broadway, but it still has the iconic characters, the sensational songs by Kander & Ebb, choreography inspired by the original work of Bob Fosse, and the same biting satire as the original Broadway show.

Performances will be held on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, Feb. 18, at both 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but you are encouraged to reserve tickets online. The opening line of the show prepares the audience for “a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery.” The production still depicts these adult themes (in a tongue-in-cheek manner), but the adaptation has removed some adult language and sexual references to make it more suitable for all ages. Running time is approximately 90 minutes, not counting a brief intermission. If all goes according to plan, you should be out of the theatre well before the two-hour mark. 

The cast of 29 Upper School students features Riley Auman ’24, Emma Bernstein ’26, Jordin Brown ’23, Kaia Chen ’23, Janna Cloninger ’25, Elliott Cochran ’23, Shriya Dharmapurikar ’25, Diego Dhungana ’25, Stella Edwards ’25, Connor Ennis ’24, Lily Goldin ’25, Gaby Goodman ’26, Conor Hernandez ’26, Abbey Kelley ’23, Robert Liu ’24, Charlie Lyerly ’23, Giovanna Nogales-Norero ’24, Ajibola Nureni-Yusuf ’25, Kate Parker ’24, Evan Pfeil ’24, Jaden Read ’25, Georgie Rigby ’23, Anneke Schmidt ’25, Madison Smithwick ’23, Max Tendler ’24, Joss Webbink ’25, Kenna Wells ’24, Taylor Winstead ’24 and Lily Zellman ’24. 

The student production team includes stage manager Anabel Gutierrez ’23, assistant director Lily Carlson ’24, assistant stage managers Neta Ariely ’24, Chloe Bidgood ’25, Ash Granda-Bondurant ’23 and Rachel Pellom ’24, assistant technical director Theo Preston ’23, assistant costume crew supervisor Sarah Jackson ’23, and head lighting technician Myles Zapotoczny ’25. This is the fourth consecutive show that Theo Preston has  designed the show art for the poster and program.

More than 25 Upper School students worked on the assorted technical crews. Set crew: Neta Ariely ’24, Grayson Auman ’25, Lexie Chen ’25, Angel Escobar ’25, Amelia Fay ’25, Kiersten Hackman ’24, Soren Hecimovich, Sarah Jackson ’23, Milly Jones ’24, Milo King ’24, Rachel Pellom ’24, Theo Preston ’23, Olivia Rivers ’24, Kate Ryan ’25, Anna Tricomi ’25, Andrew Vaughn and Myles Zapotoczny ’25. Light crew: Neta Ariely ’24, Milly Jones ’24, Kate Ryan ’25 and Myles Zapotoczny ’25. Costume crew: Rinal Dahhan ’23, Claire Hong ’24, Sarah Jackson ’23, Maya Patel ’25 and Karma Sullivan ’25. Technical Theatre class: John Chapman ’26, Jack Kelley ’26, Eric Mosquin ’26, Drew Roeder ’26, Jason Sorin ’24, Preston Swigart ’25, Marcus Vermeulen ’25 and Myles Zapotoczny ’25.

The band (featured on stage instead of in “the pit”) is led by music teacher Michael L. Meyer and features Upper School students Roger Brooks ’23, Tatum Eppinger ’23, Zebee Jewell-Alibhai ’23, Ori Moore ’25, Siddharth Srivats ’25 and Kai Wong ’24, along with several guest artists.

Make your reservations now to check out the incredible work of the cast, crew, band and production team, and come kick away the winter blues by seeing Chicago. Bring your friends and family and join the party in Kenan Auditorium from Feb. 16–18. You won’t want to miss it!