Director’s Notes... “Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to see a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery—all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts.” So begins the musical Chicago, and creators John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse never back off from that bold and sinister promise. A promise they fulfill with wit, dazzle, style and a great deal of humor. Since 1975 when it first opened on Broadway, it has become a classic and is now the longest running American musical in broadway history. A film version was released in 2002 starring Renee’ Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere. The Athens Theatre has been applying for the rights for many years and as Craig Uppercue says “It took a trip to NY to finally secure the contract.” Well the timing couldn’t be better as its themes are more relevant today than ever. Corruption of the press, fake news, gun violence, the Me Too Movement… make Chicago, based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, look like it was ripped from today’s headlines. The motor of any musical is its score, and Kander and Ebb have written a “hummer”. Each song evokes the 1920’s, reveals character, makes us laugh, drives the story and entertains us. The dancing in the show has become iconic. The musical numbers are also a tribute to the days of Vaudeville. This makes this production even more appropriate since next season the Athens Theatre will be celebrating it’s 100 year anniversary and originally opened its doors with a Vaudeville show. “Whoopee… Hotcha…Jazz!” Mayme Paul Mayme Paul Director/Choreographer ~ MEET THE CAST ~ Anna Olivia Banks (Matron “Mama” Morton) is so excited to make her Athens Theatre Debut! She was recently seen in The Wild Party at The Titusville Playhouse. She is a graduate from the University of Central Florida with her Bachelors in Theatre Studies and Music. Other credits include Pickles in The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Herself in Beehive the 60’s Musical!, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray and so many more! She would like to thank Mayme Paul for believing in her and giving her a shot at this incredible character. She would like to thank her family, friends, boyfriend Jonathan and her furbaby Ellie for their constant love and support! Beej Boytek (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his Athens Theatre debut in Chicago after a year of being away from the stage! He last appeared in A Chorus Line with Celebration Theatre Company and Cats at Cocoa Village Playhouse. He has performed with Universal Studios Orlando, Royal Caribbean International, and the Disney company at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Disney Cruise Line. Additionally, he works with Orlando Repertory Theatre and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Favorite credits include: Don Baker in Butterflies Are Free, Phil Davis in White Christmas, Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone, and The Baker in Into The Woods. Beej would like to thank everyone involved in this phenomenal production for allowing him to be part of the Razzle Dazzle! ~ MEET THE CAST ~ David Coalter (Billy Flynn) For over 34 years David has been singing, dancing and acting. His career has taken him to the Disneyland Resort, Tokyo Disneyland, Sea World Orlando and The Holy Land Experience. Along with theater stages from Los Angeles, California to Central Florida, in such roles as Sam Carmichael (Mamma Mia!), Robert Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), Harold Hill (The Music Man), Freddy Eynsford-Hill (My Fair Lady), Jinx (Plaid Tidings & Forever Plaid), Cinderella’s Prince (Into the Woods) and Frank Butler (Annie Get Your Gun). David would like to thank his wife Tina, and sons, Aaron and Caleb, for their love, support and putting up with his need for attention. Nate Elliott (Ensemble/Fred Casely) is so happy and so thankful to be part of this amazing cast that gets to bring one of his dream shows to life. Some favorite past roles include Eugene (Brighton Beach Memoirs), Don Lockwood (Singin’ in the Rain), and Ted Hanover (Holiday Inn). When there isn’t a global pandemic, Nate can be found making Magic at Walt Disney World, and can be found making a different sort of magic at Universal Orlando Resort. When there IS a global pandemic, Nate can be found eating potato chips in his tree house bunker. He would like to thank his friends, his mother, his sister, and his girlfriend Julia for their continuous love and support! As well as the creative and tech teams for this spectacular opportunity, and for all their hard work and patience while putting together this crazy show. And most of all, he’d like to thank God for His continuous blessings in his life. Finally—God bless, may the Force be with you, enjoy the show, mask up, and have a magical day! @nateelliott77 | @ultinate_cosplay | www.teepublic.com/user/ultinate98 ~ MEET THE CAST ~ Julia Famiglietti (Kitty/Ensemble) is delighted to be back on the Athens stage so soon after just closing Mamma Mia! This will be her 5th production at the Athens Theatre. Past shows include, The Wedding Singer, Singing’ In The Rain, and The Producers. She was also seen in the Emmy Award winning film Virtually Yours, A Night At The Athens Theatre. Universal Orlando Credits: Universal’s Holiday Parade as a Character Performer and a Dancer. She would like to thank Mayme and the rest of the cast and crew for making this experience so special. She would also like to thank her supportive boyfriend Nate, her beautiful Mom, and YOU for supporting the arts during this difficult time. We can’t do it without you! She hopes you have a killer time. Yolanda Gonzalez (June/Ensemble) studied Theatre in the School Of Performing Arts at University of Central Florida. She has choreographed educational theater productions at Florida Repertory Theatre, taught dance classes at Tutus School of Dance, and was a performer at Universal Studios. Theatrical and Film credits include: Oklahoma, West Side Story, Writes of Spring, Pompano Boy, and several others. After recently closing a year long run of The Amparo Experience in Miami, FL she is very excited to be back in Central Florida and on the Athens Stage for the first time! Eli Hamilton (Ensemble) is so happy to be back on the Athens stage in this delicious production! Originally from Winter Springs, Florida, he has lived in New York City as a B.F.A musical theatre major at Marymount Manhattan College. Selected credits include Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors; Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde (Theater West End); Adolfo Pirelli in Sweeney Todd; Hugo/ Dance Ensemble in Tuck Everlasting (Orlando Repertory Theatre) and various ensemble roles throughout Central Florida and NYC. Love you Mom and Dad! Psalms 31:24 Iris M. Johnson (Liz/Ensemble) is excited to be doing her first show at the Athens Theater. Iris is currently working on staff with Theater West End as the Studio Director/Facilities Manager. Aside from being a choreographer in the greater Orlando area for high schools and theaters, performance has always been close to her heart. She has most recently appeared on stage at Theater West End as Whatshername in American Idiot as well as at the Wayne Densch Theater as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act. Iris would like to thank her equal half, Zach Smith, for his continued love and support to push her to be her best self in life. ~ MEET THE CAST ~ Zeshan Khan (Mary Sunshine) is excited to be on the Athens stage for the first time. He has appeared on stages across the Orlando area like Garden theatre and St.Lukes, but is currently a performer at Universal Studios Orlando. He would like to thank his friends and family for all the support, guidance, and love that they have sent him through this process. He is so grateful to join the Athens theatre family for the first time! And he wants you to always remember “there’s a little bit of good in Everyone.” Sarah Ruth Joyner (Velma Kelly) is an Orlando performer who can be seen dancing at Capone’s Dinner and Show, Teatro Martini and swinging on ropes and singing at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. Sarah has also played roles such as Sheila in A Chorus Line, Missy in Winter Wonderettes, and Helene in Sweet Charity. To Kel, with love. Shayna Gilberg (Ensemble) is excited to be back performing at the Athens Theatre! Shayna is a junior in the BFA Musical Theatre program at UCF with a minor in Dance. Recent performance credits include Cinderella (Ella), Sunday in the Park with George (Celeste), A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love & Murder (U/S Ms. Evangeline Barley), and Singin’ in the Rain (Ensemble). Shaynagilberg.com ~ MEET THE CAST ~ Ciera Livermore (Annie/Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Athens Theatre Company debut! Some of her performance credits include Guys and Dolls (Hotbox/ Havana dancer) Virginia Stage Company, Sunny Day Celebration (Dance Captain) Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Wizard of Oz (Ensemble) Lewis Family Playhouse, The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy) High Desert Youth Ballet Company, Crazy For You (Follies Girl) Standing Room Only Pro. Inc., and Young Frankenstein (Swing) Victor Valley Performing Arts. Ciera is not only a performer but a choreographer too! She has choreographed productions for dance studios and has developed choreography on projects for Grammy Award Winning Producer Greg Lawson. She would like to thank her Mom and Husband for being so supportive, and encouraging her love for the stage. Philippians 4:13 IG: @cieralivermore Zachary Mitchell (Sergeant Fogarty, Ensemble) is thrilled to be doing another production at the beautiful Athens Theatre! He is a senior at UCF studying theatre with a minor in music, and will be graduating with his Bachelor’s degree during the run of this show! Some theatrical credits include: Mamma Mia !(Pepper), The Fantasticks (Matt), 9to5 (Dick/Ensemble), White Christmas (Scooter/ Ensemble), Titanic (George Widener/Henry Etches u/s), etc.