The joy I have felt over the past several months.
This has been the most magical theatre process of my life. When I auditioned for Chicago, I knew two things: 1. I would accept the role of “usher” just so I could see the show the 8 times it was scheduled to run, and 2. getting to work with Eddie and K and E Theater Group would be the experience of a lifetime. I remember the call from Eddie that I had been cast…crying tears of joy and saying, “are you sure?” It’s been 18 years since I’ve been on this side of the stage, but he believed in me in a way that I didn’t even believe in myself. And I am so grateful he did. I’ve grown so much. I’ve learned more about theatre and myself in the last 3 months than I have in the last 20 years. There is so much to say about this process, but here’s the takeaway: if you ever get the chance to work with Eddie Zitka, take it.
This cast was the most perfect collection of people on and off stage. It can be terrifying to walk into a room of people who possess so much talent…but my goodness, that was never the case here. I felt so safe to make mistakes, to ask for help, to cry about trying to remember how to be flirty/attractive lol. To talk about our collective anxiety, vocal stims, and gluten free preferences. I love these people so much. During rehearsals and my scenes backstage, I sat watching them do their thing with a big smile on my face like a dance mom in the wild. I can pinpoint individual moments of brilliance for every single person in the cast, band, and crew. I am so proud to be part of this group. I will love them forever.
Everyone has their idea of who Roxie Hart is supposed to be, but the thing is, she’s a fairly undefined character. She’s age-ambiguous and an open canvas, other than the key traits of delusion, star power, manipulative energy, etc. I really wanted my version to feel like a real person who truly believed her own delusion. I wanted you to like her, maybe even find her quirky and endearing, and then feel conflicted when you’re cheering her on at the end when she gets off and finds stardom with Velma. And since I’m so out of practice with all of that, it took some time. Eddie, Jay, Austin, Kerrie…your support and guidance meant everything. Kerrie- thank you for texting with me nonstop and helping me find my confidence. I love you so much. Liz, thank you for helping me find my voice again. Eddie, thank you for letting me play her the way I wanted to and for helping me find her. I’ll never forget how it felt on that one Wednesday when I finally fully felt her there. God, that’s beautiful.
Ryan, thank you for running lines with me daily lol (you could literally put this up as a one-man show at this point). And for helping me work through imposter syndrome. For ordering us dominos at midnight after late-night rehearsals. And for loving me and always giving me the space to be who I am. I love you so much it hurts.
To everyone who showed up to see the show, thank you. My heart is so full. I cried so much over the past two weeks because I’ve never felt so wrapped in love and lifted up. I’m so grateful. (I know I didn’t get pics with everyone because it was so busy after shows, but I love you.) Thank you for these beautiful memories that I will carry with me always. I wish we could do it forever. But for now, Ms. Roxie Hart says goodnight.
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takeaways as a choreographer.
