April 20-22, 2015
“Chicago” adaptation by senior Elon College Fellow Ryan Kanfer
Black Box Theatre in the Center for the Arts
7:30 p.m.
Seats can be reserved at ElonChicago@gmail.com.
“Chicago” is the story of “murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery—all those things we all hold near and dear to our hearts.” Roxie Hart desperately wants to reach fame and fortune and will do anything to get there—even commit murder. Along with the other murderesses on death row, the audience sees how innocence isn’t necessarily the way to win over a jury.
With a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse brought his vision to life in 1975, and Anne Reinking and Walter Bobbie reinvented it in 1996. Now, Elon College Fellow Ryan Kanfer makes his own mark on the show.
Kanfer has spent the past three years researching the cultural impact of the media and its impact on society and the performing arts. As a music theatre major, he will present research through unique and innovative ways. His production will explore a number of themes—such as the impact of the media, the media’s manipulation of public, and people “performing” for their lives—by placing it within the world of reality television. The concept places emphasis on the fact that although technology has changed the media in the 80 years between today and when the play was originally set, human nature has not changed very much at all.
Since the 1920s, when the musical originally takes place, the media—radio, newspapers, television, Facebook, Twitter—has influenced the American society’s opinions on all events, cultural and societal. Especially now, in 2015, one cannot escape the ludicrousness of the media.
Kanfer grew up in Potomac, Maryland, performing since he was 12. He began taking interest in choreography in high school when he was appointed dance captain of his high school’s rock concert revue and then when he was a senior dance captain in his high school’s show choir. Upon entering Elon, he choreographed a number for “Grand Night” his freshman year. He then was appointed assistant choreographer for “Crazy for You” and performed in “Ragtime,” “Titantic” and “In the Heights.”
The modernized version of “Chicago” will be presented in the Black Box Theatre in the Center for the Arts where Kanfer will recreate a soundstage in which the show takes place. He said his wants the audience to feel as if they are at a true live taping of a reality television show. He will utilize four cameras and monitors that will stream live feed and pre-recorded material to the audience.
Just as it was an important factor in the original 1975 production, audience participation will further the themes and messages of this production.
“Chicago” is a collaborative undertaking among the music theatre, dance and music programs, as well as the School of Communication.