July 23, 2026
Article By Toby Scofield
Photos By AmyLynn
“C’mon babe, why don’t we paint the town?” this weekend at Liberty Union High School where the Victoria Players Children’s Theatre will present Chicago: Teen Edition. The musical, an adaptation of Chicago by Maurine Dallas Watkins, takes place in the Roaring ’20s and features comedy, murder and toe-tapping musical numbers.
Chicago assembles a cadre of corrupt characters including a slick lawyer, dubious reporters and the Merry Murderesses of the Cook County Jail including Velma Kelly (played by Reese Brunner) and Roxie Hart (played by Julia Paini).
“The real villain of the show is Roxie because she shoots Fred!” said Evan Bartos, who plays Fred Casely in the show.
Some cast members agree with this perspective. Other cast members directly call out Billy Flynn
Nicholas Henwood who plays Flynn disagrees, “Everyone’s a villain, except Billy — he’s just doing his job!”
The complexities of these characters are explored through musical numbers such as “We Both Reached for the Gun,” “Cell Block Tango” and “Mister Cellophane.”
Much like a prison, Liberty Union High School has a maximum capacity, so if you want to watch Roxie and Velma play the media with the help of their lawyer Billy, you better buy your tickets soon. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23; Friday, July 24; and Sunday, July 26, as well as 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Tickets can be purchased at VPCT.LUDUS.COM.
Victoria Players is dedicating this show in memory of Kristin Morris Kirkpatrick and has opened a scholarship in her name.
“Kristin brought an irreplaceable energy to our cast and crew. Her bright, radiant smile could light up any rehearsal room, and her distinct, wonderfully infectious laugh filled our stage with pure joy.
“To honor her enduring legacy and ensure her joyful spirit lives on, we are proud to announce the establishment of The Kristin Morris Kirkpatrick Spotlight Scholarship. This annual scholarship will provide financial support to passionate young performers who have grown up within our children’s theater program. More details will be made available in the coming months.
“Kristin’s light will forever shine bright in our theater and in the hearts of those she inspired. To donate to the scholarship fund, please visit https://vpct.ludus.com/donate (note Kristin’s name in the comments) or speak with a VPCT representative after the show.”
Chicago brings the current season to a close. The next will be VPCT’s 10th season.
“When I walked into this theater in 2018, we had eight old lapel mics, a Bose Bluetooth speaker and one par light on a surge protector,” said Jill Henwood, director and choreographer of the show. “Now, we are producing sold-out shows, full lighting and SFX, a full cast of lapel mics, and a professional-grade set, and that’s because of the time and commitment our volunteers and cast/crew put into making these shows outshine the last one! Thank you to the Fairfield County Foundation Ann Hess and Ed Sands Funds for the generous donations they have made to our organization over the years.”
Chicago Crew:
Director/Choreographer: Jill Henwood
Assistant Director: Carsyn Cox
Music Director: Megan Hysell
Stage Manager: Audrey Curry
Lighting Designer: Isaac Poe
Asst Lighting Designer: Dalton Dilley
Prop Master: Brooke Schrader
Set Designer: Ryan Westhoven
Costume Designer: Melissa Sponseller
Chicago Cast:
Velma Kelly – Reese Brunner
Roxie Hart – Julia Paini
Billy Flynn – Nicholas Henwood
Matron Mama Morton – Dior LaRose
Amos Hart – Branden Giesecke
Mary Sunshine – Sonnie Hysell
Fred Casely, Cell Block Victim, Reporter 2 – Evan Bartos
Officer Fogarty, Reporter 1 – Jack Westhoven
Annie – Audrey Barr
June – Caroline Samanich
Liz – Paige Smith
Mona – Anna Bartos
K atelyn Hunyak – Jocelyn Gribben
Kitty, Harry and Mistress – Gwen Diltz, Sophia Copley and Nova Moyer
Judge and Clerk – Calen Vargas and Kamryn Wilson
Harrison and Juror One – Carlea Emigh and Shaylee Brown
Fake Roxie – Leigha Hawkins
Inmate Ensemble – Madelyn Alexander, Audrey Barr, Anna Bartos, Reese Brunner, Jocelyn Gribben, Leigha Hawkins, Violet Homan, Sonnie Hysell (Cell Block only), Caroline Samanich, Paige Smith, Cali Vargas
Showgirls – Madelyn Alexander, Audrey Barr, Anna Bartos, Shaylee Brown, Violet Homan, Nova Moyer, Caroline Samanich, Paige Smith, Cali Vargas, Kamryn Wilson
Roxie Dancers – Madelyn Alexander, Anna Bartos, Evan Bartos, Jocelyn Gribben, Violet Homan, Caroline Samanich, Calen Vargas, Cali Vargas
Reporter Ensemble – Shaylee Brown, Evan Bartos, Sophia Copley, Lilyan Cordle, Gwen Diltz, Carlea Emigh, Sonnie Hysell (Mary Sunshine), Dani Kuck, Nova Moyer, Brielle Schrader, Calen Vargas, Mattie Wallace, Anna Weber, Jack Westhoven, Kamryn Wilson
Razzle Dazzle Ensemble – Madelyn Alexander, Audrey Barr, Anna Bartos, Shaylee Brown, Carlea Emigh, Violet Homan, Sonnie Hysell, Nova Moyer, Caroline Samanich, Brielle Schrader, Paige Smith, Calen Vargas, Cali Vargas, Jack Westhoven, Kamryn Wilson
Master of Ceremonies – Jack Westhoven, Madelyn Alexander, Anna Weber, Kamryn Wilson, Brielle Schrader, Nova Moyer, Carlea Emigh, Paige Smith, Audrey Barr, Lilyan Cordle, Calen Vargas, Sophia Copley, Caroline Samanich
