Chicago the Musical Audition Info
To be performed on the Alice Silverman stage at the Newport Performing Arts Center
November 13, 14, 15, 18 (ARTS-4-ALL), 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 2026
Directed by Jennifer Chaney
Associate Director Helyn Layton
Produced by Morgan Locklear and Jennifer Locklear
Musical Conductor Cameron Locklear
Choreographer Chaz Wolcott, by special arrangement with SDC
Dance Captain BayLee Layton-Karnes
Stage Manager Michael Golden
Costume Designer Shannon Dunbar
Set Designer Paul Vaughn
Vocal Director Jason Holland
General Information
Welcome to our Chicago audition information page. We are very excited to be producing
this hot-ticket, jazz show in the fall of 2026 and happy to have you along for the ride! We
would love to see you at the auditions! We will try to address as many of your questions and
concerns as possible in this general information, but if you would like further details –
please email Jennifer Chaney, the director, at
chicagoportholeplayers@gmail.com
About Chicago the Musical –
Chicago is an American musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book
by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Set in Chicago in the Jazz Age, the musical is based on the 1926
play by reporter and playwright Maurine Dallas Watkins, who was assigned to cover the
1924 trials of accused murderers Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner for the Chicago
Tribune. A vaudevillian satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice, the plot
follows the felons who manipulate their stories to develop celebrity status.
The original Broadway production opened in June 1975 at the 46th Street Theatre and ran
for 936 performances, closing in August 1977. Fosse directed and choreographed the
original production, and his style is strongly identified with the show. The original West
End production opened in 1979, running for 600 performances.
The ongoing 1996 revival of Chicago is the longest-running show currently on Broadway,
holding the record as the longest-running musical revival and the longest-running
American musical in Broadway history.
This is a Brechtian style of show, which frequently has the characters break the fourth wall.
It is truly an ensemble production, with Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly at the core of the story.
About our production -
Porthole Players’ production of Chicago will showcase the Fosse style dance, jazz vocals
and vaudevillian characterizations. We are leaning into the art deco and late 20’s styles.
The jazz band and conductor will also be on stage the entire show as a character all its
own. We plan to do something old, something new, something borrowed, and something
with feathers & pink satin. Must of all – we plan to have fun and razzle dazzle ‘em!
Here is a breakdown of the 30+ various roles to be cast –
Roxie Hart - An aspiring vaudevillian and murderess who kills her paramour after a spat
and is sent to jail. (Mezzo-soprano)
Velma Kelly - A vaudevillian and murderess who is on trial for killing her cheating husband
and sister. She is represented by Billy Flynn and competes with Roxie Hart for him. (Alto)
Billy Flynn - Velma and Roxie's lawyer who has a perfect track record and makes
celebrities of his clients to win sympathy and sway public opinion. (Baritone)
Amos Hart - Roxie's faithful and good-natured but simple husband whom nobody pays
attention to. He spends most of the show trying to make Roxie take interest in him or even
just acknowledge his existence. (Baritone)
Matron "Mama" Morton - The matron of the Cook County Jail. Grants the inmates favors in
exchange for bribes. (Alto)
Mary Sunshine - The sob sister journalist who follows the trials of both Roxie Hart and
Velma Kelly. In most productions, Mary Sunshine is revealed to be male at the end of the
show. (Countertenor)
The Merry Murderesses of Cook County Jail:
Mona – artistic, sensitive, and offended
Go-To-Hell-Kitty – pineapple-biting-princess and socialite with a deadly grip
Annie – naïve girlfriend to a man with six wives, well… not anymore
June – fancy chef who wields her knife in the kitchen - watch out - she likes to count
Hunyak – Hungarian and not guilty - just ask her
Liz – woman with a shotgun on the wall that is easily annoyed by extreme gum popping
AND a dozen additional Cell Block Women Dancers/Jurors/Reporters/Ensemble Roles
Men/Jurors/Reporters/Dancers/Ensemble
Fred Casely – furniture salesman who walks out on Roxie - once
Judge – presides over Roxie’s case
Court Clerk – administers the oath
Sergeant Fogarty – cracks the case open
Aaron – court appointed attorney for Holesunyak
Martin Harrison – prosecuting attorney
Harry/Juror – delivers the verdict
There will be two days/parts to the audition process and auditioners are asked to attend BOTH.
If for any reason you cannot attend both, please contact the director in advance via email: chicagoportholeplayers@gmail.com
June 14 @ 1:00 p.m. – Dance Audition – Part I
Newport Recreation Center, Room 129
To receive the Pre-recorded choreography and movement call video link
Fill out the form:
This will give you an opportunity to see the
dance portion of the audition and practice the choreography on your own. We highly
encourage you to view it in advance to get comfortable. There will also be some additional
steps taught at the audition to see how easily you pick things up.
The goal of the pre-curser video is two-fold. First, it is designed to help you prepare so you
know the expectations and dance level/caliber we are looking for. Secondly, when you can
practice the steps, it often will help alleviate those pre-audition jitters. If you have no place
to practice choreography, or miss the download ahead of time, never fear. The video is
meant to provide you a tool in your toolbox, not as a final test.
Please dress in dance attire or active wear for flexibility in movement. Wear character,
ballroom, or jazz shoes. The key here is something that you can dance in. Tennis shoes with
a rubber sole will make it hard to glide on the dance floor.
If you have never really danced before, there are still some ensemble roles as reporters and
jurors, but we encourage you to give the dance audition a try! We will ask you to move and
be physical. There are no trees in Chicago the Musical.
Audition Expectations for Vocal Auditions
Select a song to perform for the audition that shows your vocal range and that you love to sing! If the role you are aiming for is in an alto belter, select an audition piece to match that.
Please bring sheet music in your preferred key. An accompanist will be provided.
If you choose to bring a prerecorded track, please bring your Mp3 playing device that you can sync up to our blue tooth speaker.
Pick out a song that fits your personality type, allows you to act AND shows off your vocal range. Make your audition unique and memorable!
Audition songs should be cut to under 2 minutes in length. This may mean you have to cut it off halfway. Be ready to tell the piano accompanist where you will stop your song. Remember, the cutting you select should show off your vocal range.
Please do not select a song from the “Chicago” score.
If you have never really sung before, we encourage you to give the vocal auditions a try! We can have you vocalize with the piano and show us you can sing in choral group. Every audition is an opportunity to grow and to practice your craft. Have fun with it!!
June 20 @ 1:00 p.m. – Music and Script Reading Audition – Part II
Newport Performing Arts Center, Alice Silverman stage
Audition Expectations for Script Reading – Questions and Answers
Q – Where do I get a copy of the script ahead of time?
A – There will be copies of the official Chicago script available at the PAC box office for a
two-week check out. If they are all checked out, you can be put on the wait list, or you can
find it online on various websites, for example https://orangechicago.wordpress.com/thescript/ . You may also buy a copy on Amazon if you must have a script in hand.
Q – What will the sides be that we audition with? Do I have to read on the spot in front of
everyone?
A – We will select sides of the script for the reading audition from ACT I for the lead roles
and the court scene in ACT II. Yes, you will need to read out loud the part you are asked to
read. All auditioners are invited to stay for all the readings. In keeping with Porthole’s
mission, this is an educational opportunity for us all. Relax, we are all rooting for you!
Q – Should I prepare and memorize a monologue?
A – Nope, not necessary. Save your Shakespeare for next time!
Q – Will there be callbacks?
A – To be determined.
That’s it for now, but check back for updates as the time for auditions draws closer.
More questions about the auditions or the rehearsal schedule? Email Jennifer at
chicagoportholeplayers@gmail.com
-Thank you!
See the audition form below!
AACT is “sharing the light.” As the curtain rises again on live theatre, our communities are thrilled to be able to go out and “find the light” at their live performance home: community theatre. AACT is dedicated to providing the resources to grow and produce theatre in our communities.
- Kristi Quinn AACT President
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