President: Montgomery Jones
Vice-President: Madeline James
Secretary: Fran Roberts
Publicist: Maddie Allman
Historian: Lily Brooks
Treasurer: Sydney Fredette
Hospitality: Zayda Berger
Alternate: Vin Frank
Alternate: Lotus Lutterbie

Theatre on the James, the student-led theatre company at James River High School, is proud to present Kander and Ebb’s classic musical Chicago!

Broadway’s longest-running American musical, Chicago is a dazzling and satirical look at stardom, the justice system, and scandal-driven media. Based on real-life murders and trials in Jazz Age Chicago, Chicago follows Roxie Hart (August Peterson), a wannabe vaudeville star who is arrested after she murders her lover, despite her attempts to convince her put-upon husband, Amos (Avery Daniel), to lie for her. In the Cook County jail, Roxie meets her hero, famed double-murderer and jazz club performer Velma Kelly (Ella Milton-Benoit). When both women hire the same lawyer, the sleazy Billy Flynn (Jax Jensen), tensions flare as Roxie and Velma vie for the spotlight.

Joined by Zoe Baugh as Matron “Mama” Morton and a twenty person ensemble, these four actors lead a show that is sure to be one of the most ambitious shows in Theatre on the James’ history. Don’t miss Ami Dowden-Fant’s incredible choreography or the soaring musical direction by Cathern Hazelwood!

Tickets for adults are $15 in advance, $17 at the door, and tickets for students and faculty are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at www.theatreonthejames.com. All performances are at James River High School, 3700 James River Rd., Midlothian, Virginia, 23113.

For more information, contact director Skye Whitcomb at (804) 378-2420 or via email at skye_whitcomb@ccpsnet.net.

Thank you all so much for sharing your passion and talent with us! Below is the cast list for our production of Chicago. 

Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, February 14th, at 3:15pm in M3. Please be prompt, and bring pencils, highlighters, water, etc. If you would like to pick up your script early, you may get it from Mr. Whitcomb at any point before rehearsals begin.

Again, congratulations!

Velma Kelly…………………………….………..Ella Milton-Benoit

Roxie Hart…………………………….…..……….August Peterson

Amos Hart……………………………….………….…Avery Daniel

Mama Morton………………………….……………….Zoë Baugh

Billy Flynn……………………………………….………..Jax Jensen

Female-presenting Ensemble:

FPE1 (Liz)……………………………………………..Kellan Garka

FPE2 (Annie)……………………………………Gia Hazelgrove

FPE3 (June)………………………………………….Jada Bryant

FPE4 (Hunyak)………………………………..Frances Roberts

FPE5 (Mona)…………………………………..Danielle Meister

FPE6 (Mary Sunshine)………………………Bella Logiodice

FPE7 (Kitty)………………………………………….Abbie Young

FPE8………………………………………..Maddie Allman

FPE9………………………….………………Frances Baker

FPE10……………………………………………..Lily Brooks

FPE11………………………………………………Lilli Brown

FPE12……………………………………….Yesenia Iñiguez

Male-presenting Ensemble:

MPE1 (Fred Casely)…………………………..Marshall Ruzek

MPE2 (Jazz Announcer)……………………James Ochola

MPE3 (Fogarty)…………………………………Lotus Lutterbie

MPE4 (Harry)…………………………………Grayson Williams

MPE5 (Clerk)…………………………………………..Max Bruce

MPE6 (Harrison)…………………………………………Vin Frank

MPE7 (Judge)………………………………………..Zion Baugh

MPE8 (Reporter)…………………………………..Millie Cooke

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for Chicago! We would like to see the following people for callbacks. Callbacks will be held in the theatre on Thursday, February 9, from 3:30pm until 5:30pm.

At callbacks, you will be provided with sides from the script and asked to cold-read with fellow auditionees.

Maddie Allman

Frances Baker

Zion Baugh

Zoë Baugh

Lily Brooks

Lilli Brown

Max Bruce

Jada Bryant

Millie Cooke

Avery Daniel

Vin Frank

Kellan Garka

Gia Hazelgrove

Yesenia Iñiguez

Jax Jensen

Bella Logiodice

Lotus Lutterbie

Danielle Meister

Ella Milton-Benoit

James Ochola

August Peterson

Frances Roberts

Marshall Ruzek

Grayson Williams

Abigail Young

Jo: August Peterson
Laurie: Michael Thomas
Meg: Zayda Berger
Amy: Sydney Fredette
Beth: McKenna Wolstenholme
Mr. Brooks: Charles Tomlin
Father: Matthew Snider
Marmee: Gia Hazelgrove
Hannah: Celia Squarzini
Mr. Lawrence: Marshall Ruzek
Aunt March: Lily Brooks

Mary: Montgomery Jones
Warder: Plunkett
Mrs. Lum: Yesenia Iniguez Mr. Girard: Matthew Snider Mr. Phillips: Marshall Ruzek Polly Kenton: Gia Hazelgrove Mrs. Hatcher: Madeline James
Fury 1: Max Bruce
Fury 2: Paola Orellana Guevara
Fury 3: Ley Long
Fury 4: Clare Parfitt
Fury 5: Lotus Lutterbie

Caroline Fredette (she/her) is ecstatic to be serving as your drama club President for the 2022-2023 school year! This is her fourth year as a Theatre on the James member, as well as her third year holding a leadership position in the organization. In her time outside of theatre, Caroline is an active member of her school’s speech & debate team and enjoys film, fashion, and hanging out with friends. She loves being a part of the drama club, as it gives her a place where she can express herself and make new friends. Let’s make this year one for the books!

Abigail Brooks is the Drama Club Vice President. She is a Junior this year and she is eager to work hard to make everyone feel welcome at TOTJ. Abigail loves to act and be on stage, however, she also loves to be behind the scenes as well. She was on the sound team for TOTJ’s production of Clue and she was front of house of Into the Woods. During the winter one acts, Abigail performed as Juliet in When Shakespeare’s Ladies meet and Company in Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon. She is beyond excited to meet new people and get to know everyone better this year.

Montgomery Jones is so honored to be the Secretary of Theatre on the James. She has been a part of Theatre on the James for 3 years now and served as Press Secretary from 2021-2022. You may have seen her in Theatre on the James’ productions of Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Soap Opera (Washing Machine), Clue (Yvette), Jane Austen Completely Zoomed (Emma Woodhouse/Bingley), or Elves: Disaster in the Control Room (Blinky). She looks forward to another great year with Theatre on the James!

Frances Baker is a senior at James River and is the Publicity Officer for TOTJ. As the Publicity officer she will do everything she can to publicize our team, our shows, fundraisers, and events. She is so lucky to be a part of such a welcoming and tight community as well as doing something she loves so much. She doesn’t do much on stage but backstage is where she thrives. She loves working under pressure and being involved in everything behind the scenes. After working and observing the MANY different roles that it takes to put a show on its feet she has found that Publicity is where she belongs.