Experienced Rockhampton performer Tessa Coulter will play the lead role of Velma Kelly in a production of 'Chicago' at the Pilbeam Theatre next month. 

It will be her third time working with visiting professional industry mentors; Wayne Scott Kermond and Kate Kermond - she previously appeared for them in 'Guys and Dolls' and 'A Chorus Line' during her time as a CQU student.

Since graduating, Tessa has continued her love of theatre with a lead in 'West Side Story' (as Anita) for Rockhampton Venues and Events, and is now working at Sea FM, where her voiceover skills come in handy.

CQU Performing Arts students will present the Tony Award-winning musical at Rockhampton's Pilbeam Theatre - with 3 performances - on September 27-28 this year.

Under the direction of professional industry mentors Wayne Scott Kermond and Katie Kermond, the Performing Arts students will stage 'Chicago's' popular story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery - 'all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts'.

The Bachelor of Performing Arts company of performers have been granted permission to present John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse's currently running Broadway hit.

'Chicago'  tells the story of Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who murders her two-timing boyfriend, tries to pin it on her clueless husband, and then manages not only to avoid prison with the help of razzle-dazzle lawyer Billy Flynn, but uses the trial to propel herself to showbiz stardom along with another murderous chorus girl, Velma Kelly.

This satiric musical comedy told in the non-stop style of vaudeville and burlesque demands not only triple treat - singing, dancing, and acting - ensemble performances, but a mastery of comedic timing and delivery.  The piece constantly challenges the director, choreographer and cast with its infinite possibilities for theatrical razzle-dazzle, vaudeville shtick and circus-like hocus pocus.

Populating this world of Roaring 20's courtrooms and speakeasys are: Tessa Coulter - 2006 BPA Graduate (Velma), Clare Mackinlay (Roxie), Nicholas Arnold (Billy Flynn) and Dean Sorensen (Amos Hart).

'Chicago' is adapted from a 1926 play of the same title written by Maurine Dallas Watkins, a Chicago Tribune reporter who based it on the sensational murder trials of two glamorous murderesses, Beulah May Annan and Belva Gaertner, who murdered their lovers and parlayed their crimes into fame and stardom. Watkins's satirical take on the justice system and the overzealous tabloids of the day was embraced by Fosse, Kander, and Ebb as they set about writing "Chicago' in the early 1970s.

The original production was also directed, and choreographed by the legendary Fosse with Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, and Jerry Orbach headlining the cast. The show opened on Broadway in 1975 and ran for 898 performances.

In 1996, 'Chicago' was revived in an all new production starring Bebe Neuwirth and Anne Reinking and went on to win 6 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival. The score by the award-winning composing team of Kander and Ebb includes such hit songs as 'Razzle Dazzle', 'Cell Block Tango', and 'All That Jazz'.

'Chicago' is a sleek, sassy, and sophisticated spectacle that was hailed as "the hottest show in town!" by 'The New York Times'.

'Chicago' will be staged at the Pilbeam Theatre from September 27- 28, with performances at 7:30pm Thursday and Friday and a 2pm matinee performance on Friday September 28.

Admission prices for these performances are adults $30, pensioners $25 and juniors $10.  There is a special family discount of $70 for 2 adults and 2 children and groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets at a price of $20/ticket.

To enjoy this razzle dazzle musical please contact the Pilbeam Theatre on 49 274111 or online at http://www.venuesandevents.com.au/.  

For further details contact Dr Emma Killion 07 4930 6824 or e.killion@cqu.edu.au.