Dec 12th to 15th, 2024 | ALUMNAE THEATRE
ABOUT CHICAGO
The musical Chicago is based on the real-life, high profile, trials of two women accused of murdering their lovers in 1920s Chicago. Set in the age of Jazz, at a time when societal views of women were shifting, the play is an ironic commentary on celebrity criminals and the corruption of justice. The musical version of the play became a Bob Fosse hit in 1975 and its revival remains the longest running in Broadway history. Of course we have to mention the 2003 Academy Award winning film version which was actually shot here in Toronto. Chicago is packed with action and features an array of interesting characters, anchored by two strong, complex female leads, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly. The freewheeling feeling of jazz envelopes the production and Fosse’s signature choreography drives Chicago’s continuing appeal along with a string of iconic songs including: When You’re Good to Mama, Cell Block Tango and the unforgettable, All that Jazz.
The musical Chicago is based on the real-life, high profile, trials of two women accused of murdering their lovers in 1920s Chicago. Set in the age of Jazz, at a time when societal views of women were shifting, the play is an ironic commentary on celebrity criminals and the corruption of justice. The musical version of the play became a Bob Fosse hit in 1975 and its revival remains the longest running in Broadway history. Of course we have to mention the 2003 Academy Award winning film version which was actually shot here in Toronto. Chicago is packed with action and features an array of interesting characters, anchored by two strong, complex female leads, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly. The freewheeling feeling of jazz envelopes the production and Fosse’s signature choreography drives Chicago’s continuing appeal along with a string of iconic songs including: When You’re Good to Mama, Cell Block Tango and the unforgettable, All that Jazz.
MEET OUR CREATIVE TEAM
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Steve Cota, Director & Choreographer
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Athena So, Music Director
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Stephen (Steve) Cota (he/him) is a choreographer, movement director, and arts educator rooted
in dance-based storytelling. Now based in Toronto, he has leapt, turned, and made funny faces on stages across Canada, and found what would be his creative home at The Stratford Festival in 2000. He began his career as a performer where he had the chance to learn from Susan Strohman, Wayne Cilento, John Doyle, Des McAnuff, Antoni Cimolino, Robert McQueen, and many more artists and collaborators who would shape his career for years to come. Steve’s leap from performer to creative is owed to Donna Feore. Donna took Stephen under her wing, and helped him blossom as a creative, growing from her dance captain to her Associate Choreographer and Assistant Director up until the 2020 canceled productions of Chicago and Here’s What It Takes. His work as a creative at The Stratford Festival led Steve to choreographing plays, where he has been fortunate to collaborate with Antoni Cimolino, Scott Wentworth, Morris Panych, and Peter Pasyk. Steve has workshopped new dance-based work with the New Works Department at The Stratford Festival since 2017. During the pandemic, Stephen founded In The Wings, a theatre training platform where he works with artists at all levels of their career to further their training and development. It has been the joy of his career to work with aspiring artists, helping guide them with the knowledge and practical skills to break into the industry. He is currently continuing this work on faculty at Sheridan College and Randolph College for the Performing Arts.. Choreography credits include: Frankenstein Revived,Love's Labor’s Lost, Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Mad Woman of Chaillot, Romeo and Juliet, The Hypochondriac (Stratford Festival), Mary Poppins (The Grand Theatre) |
Athena So (she/her) is a music director, pianist, and arts educator based in Toronto. She is well-versed in all musical theatre styles and has a strong passion for storytelling and collaboration within different artistic mediums. Athena was first introduced to music at the age of five, training as a classical pianist, where she developed a love for musical storytelling. Athena holds a BFA in Music and a Bachelor of Education degree in Music and History. During her post-secondary years, she began exploring a career in musical theatre, beginning as a rehearsal pianist and pit musician, and transitioning into music direction shortly after, working on both existing works as well as workshopping new musicals around Canada and the US. Since then, Athena has played on stages such as the Shaw Festival and Second City, and has been a faculty member of Randolph College, Bravo Academy, and The Second City Training Centre. Athena is currently the Metcalf Music Intern at the Shaw Festival, under the incredible mentorship of Paul Sportelli, and has been working on their 2024 season shows such as My Fair Lady and The Secret Garden. Athena looks forward to joining the Mainstage team and collaborating with many young and passionate artists.
Select Credits include: White Christmas (Shaw Festival, Rehearsal Pianist/Keys 1 Sub), Second City Swipes Right: Back on the Apps (The Second City TourCo, Understudy Music Director), Bring It On (VCP, Music Director), Statistics (Shifting Ground Collective, Music Director), Next to Normal (On Its Way MP, Music Director) |