Summerset Theatre will be performing the musical “Chicago” through Aug. 5.

Set in Prohibition-era Chicago, the musical is based on a 1926 play of the same name by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual criminals and crimes on which she reported.

The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the “celebrity criminal.”

“’Chicago’ is the longest running American musical in history,” said director Randy Forster. “It’s still playing on Broadway and we really wanted to bring that show to Austin, Minnesota. Summerset has never done ‘Chicago’ and there’s a lot of iconic music and iconic dancing that we felt like audiences around here would enjoy.”

“Chicago” is the last show of Summerset season 51.

Forster said the dancing was one of the biggest challenges to the production.

“Marny Rohr, our choreographer, has done an excellent job,” he said. “She’s been having a lot of fun with taking the iconic moves you see in some productions of ‘Chicago’ and making it her own and letting the characters make the dancing their own as well. The dancing has been its greatest asset and its greatest challenge.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve done a real dance show and you’re going to be in for a real surprise when you see the number of dancers that we have and what they can do on the stage,” he added.

“Chicago” also has one of the largest Summerset casts to appear on the Frank W. Bridges stage.

“We have about 25 singers and dancers on the stage, an orchestra of 15, we have a lot of seasoned veterans as well as a lot of new people,” Forster said. “There are several people in the cast making their Summerset debut. We’re really excited to see those new faces on the stage.

“We want to thank the Hormel Foundation for being a co-sponsor of ‘Chicago.’” He added.

Show times for “Chicago” are at 7 p.m. July 31-Aug. 4 and at 2 p.m. on Aug. 5. All performances will be at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre at Riverland Community College.

Tickets for “Chicago” are $18 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at the Riverland Theatre box office, online at https://riverland.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx?utm_source=vanity&utm_campaign=tickets, or one hour before the show. Forster said that season passes for Season 52, featuring Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” and “Mamma Mia,” are also available for purchase for $30 until Aug. 10, after which they will be $40.

“(‘Chicago’ is) just downright entertaining, Forster said. “There are lots of songs that everyone will know, from ‘All That Jazz’ to “Razzle Dazzle.’ It’s just fun.

“Get your tickets; you don’t want to miss this show,” he added.

Cast

Velma Kelly – Katie Hunerdosse

Roxie Hart – Angela Perry

Billy Flynn – Geoff Smith

“Mama” Morton – Kaye Perry

Mary Sunshine – C. Anderson

Amos Hart – Jon Cochran

Fred Casely – Vic Wylde

Mona/Ensemble – Bridget Halvorson

Liz/Ensemble – Claire Olson

Annie/Ensemble – Kim Zerke

June/Ensemble – Lindsey McAlister

Hunyak/Ensemble – Carma Pederson

Fogerty/Judge – Garin Loveland

Kitty/Ensemble – Hannah Slack

Harrison/Ensemble – Zach Farr

Harry/Ensemble – Ed Dreyer

Aaron/Ensemble – Austin Hodnefield

Clerk/Ensemble – Blythe Johnson

Dancers/Ensemble – Kaitlyn Goligowski, Harmony King,  Madison Lang, Abby Miller, Tressie Kinney, Cally Heiny

Crew

Director – Randy Forster

Choreographer – Marny Rohr

Vocal Director – Morgan Dickman

Rehearsal Pianist – Alex Knoll, Audrey Kristufek

Orchestra Conductor – Christoph Dundas

Costume Design – Madlain Vander

Hair/Makeup – Bethany Fairfax

Tech Director – .John Deyo

Stage Managers. – Madeline El-Baroudi, Andres Roskos

The Chicago Orchestra and “All That Jazz” Conductor – Christoph Dundas

Trumpet – Tim Davis, Jon Bednar

Trombones – Arn Huizinga, Todd Weaver

Tuba – Wayde Hall

Reeds – Mike Hanson, Steve Krob, Steven Conradt

Percussion – Amy Baskin

Pianos – Alex Knoll, Audrey Kristufek