Chicago Press Kit
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Chicago is a 1926 play written by Maurine Dallas Watkins that is best known as the inspiration for the 1975 Broadway musical of the same name. The play, while fiction, is a satire based on two unrelated 1924 court cases involving two women, Beulah Annan (the inspiration for Roxie Hart) and Belva Gaertner (the inspiration for Velma), who were both suspected and later acquitted of murder, whom Watkins had covered for the Chicago Tribune as a reporter.
Watkins wrote the script (originally titled Brave Little Woman) as a class assignment while attending the Yale Drama School. The play debuted on Broadway at the Sam Harris Theatre in late December 1926, directed by George Abbott, where it ran for 172 performances. |
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Chicago Cast
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Susanne Brinnitzer (Moonshine Maggie/Machine Gun Rosie)
Susanne played Doris in OotB’s recent production of The Cemetery Club. She performed in Encores: Into the Woods and played Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods Sr. pilot. Favorite roles with St. Jean’s Players include Mrs. Madigan (Juno and the Paycock) and Juror 11 (12 Angry Jurors). |
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Sheila Dehner (Mrs. Morton/Judge Canton)
Recently, Sheila played Mrs. Wire in The Lady of Larkspur Lotion for OotB. Her early career was as a studio dancer in major films, like Bye Bye Birdie, My Fair Lady, Star, Camelot, and Hello Dolly. She turned to theater playing Amanda in Private Lives and various character parts in regional musical theater.
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Susanna Frazer (Velma)
Broadway: The Nerd and Stepping Out, much off-Bway and off-off. Regional: Marvin’s Room, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Glass Menagerie, A Doll’s House, Dinner with Friends, Gaslight, 5th of July, My Fair Lady, Humana Festival--ATL. Film: Lust Life (opp. Bill Irwin). TV City on a Hill, The OA, Law and Orders. susannafrazer.com; Artistic Dir. morningsideplayers.org. 
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Kelly Gilmore (Narrator/Go-to-Hell Kitty/Court Clerk)
Kelly has performed at Lincoln Center, with Harbor Lights Theatre and with Out of the Box. Broadway: Dance coach Marlo Thomas and Ron Silver (Social Security). As a dance consultant he has worked with Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man) and Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing). TV appearances with Joan Rivers, Harry Connick, Jr., and with the cast members of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.
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James Harter (Amos Hart)
Plays at OotB include Separate Tables, Morning’s at Seven, Harvey, and The Exonerated. Roles with Hip-to-Hip Shakespeare include As You Like It, The Merchant of Venice, and Measure for Measure. Other roles include Boss Finley (Sweet Bird of Youth), Gaev (The Cherry Orchard), and Dmitri Weissman (Follies).
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Mark Hofmaier (Billy Flynn)
Mark just celebrated a milestone anniversary of joining Actors’ Equity. His career includes scores of plays regionally and off-Broadway, acting with such luminaries as Kim Hunter (The Cocktail Hour). Mark just returned from doing Straight White Men, and his play was just produced by New Ambassadors Theatre Co.
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Kubbi (Mary Sunshine)
Kubbi has performed Vee Talbott in Orpheus Descending, Lorrell Robinson in Dreamgirls, 365 Days 365 Plays at the Public Theater, Jessica Jones (Netflix), and I’m Every Woman (Amazon Prime). She received her certification in directing from Yale University and Contemporary Drama from RADA in London. (SAG-AFTRA/AEA) www.kubbi.net. fb @kubbiactress
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Jane Marx (Babe Maloney)
Jane has performed in Interview—Auditioning for Eternity, Kiasma, Helsinki; A Coffin Turning Clockwise, Theater 54; ’Til My Last Breath, Theater 54; Wearing My Insides Out, Theater 54; The Anniversary, Theater 54; Diplomatic Relations, Theater at St. Clements; and Falling Forward, the New School; Original Thinkers, City Winery.
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Eric R. Moreland (Jake Callahan)
Eric’s recent work includes performing onstage in a new play, For Our Trespasses, Forgive US. Television and film credits include Law and Order, Orange Is the New Black, and Father Marcus in Treme. Eric also appeared onstage in Miss Ever’s Boys and Flyin’ West at Stamford Theatre Works. A special thanks to His wife Denise, Ward Nixon, and director Lin Snider. |
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Eve Packer (Charlie E. Murdock/Liz)
Bronx-born, poet/performer/actress, appears solo, w/music, in dance and theater. Has appeared in works from Beckett to Baraka and others. Grants and awards include NYFA, Jerome Foundation, NEH, NYSCA. Four poetry books, the latest: no mask no talk corona poems 2020–2021 (Autonomedia). Several poetry/jazz CDs. Swims daily. evebpacker@aol.com.
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Roger Rifkin (Martin S. Harrison)
Roger is thrilled to be back with OotB. He has appeared Off-Broadway as the original Max in Finnegan’s Farewell, with ELT, and in 19 revivals for Musicals Tonight!, including his favorite, the Coach in Good News. Lots of regional including his proudest achievement to date, Sam/Jesse/Roy in Plaza Suite for TriArts. |
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Jenny Tucker (Roxie Hart)
Jenny (AEA) just moved to NYC and is happy to be part of Chicago! Favorite roles: Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Violet Weston in August: Osage County, Mama Rose in Gypsy. Jenny is a vocal coach with 10+ years of experience, currently accepting new students. www.jennytucker.net—seeking representation! Resumé: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/JennyTucker |