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The success of the Flin Flon Community Choir's production of Chicago came as no surprise to those on stage over the weekend. Actresses, actors, dancers, musicians, technicians and stage hands worked around the clock to perfect their performance of the highly acclaimed musical. 'I wasn't surprised at all,' said director, producer and conductor Crystal Kolt. '...I know when you work so hard and have so many talented people around, it just becomes...better each day you get closer to show time.' Following the stories of female murderers and the fame that follows them, Chicago hit the R.H. Channing Auditorium stage on Friday and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday afternoon. Hard work and dedication started early for the cast and crew with auditions in December and rehearsals starting after Christmas. 'Without bragging, I just know we had really committed people,' Kolt says. Chicago was a chance for both seasoned and newer local performers to share their talents. Miranda Bowman, who played Roxie Hart, one of the lead roles, made her dancing debut in the musical. See 'Dancing' on pg. Continued from pg. Though she had been in other theatre productions before, Chicago was her first big musical. 'It was just a lot of fun to work on,' Bowman said. But the biggest challenge for her, no question, was dancing. 'I've never had training before, other than just in the choir,' Bowman said. Audience members wouldn't have believed it as Bowman and fellow lead actress Samantha Moore danced and sang with confidence. 'You really had to step up your game,' said Bowman. While Bowman learned her first dance steps in January, Moore _ who played Velma Kelly _ also had very little dance experience. Taking jazz and ballet for a year as a child, Moore says with a laugh that her dancing background didn't exist. 'No, not really,' she laughed. Both Moore and Bowman agreed one of the biggest challenges was dancing and singing at the same time. 'Singing can be a challenge if you're standing, but then even just walking,' Moore said, again laughing. 'It was a good thing we started right after Christmas.' Singing is second nature for actor Julian Kolt, who portrayed lawyer Billy Flynn. Julian earned his first lead role in Chicago. 'This was a big part for me,' he said. 'I've been in a number of plays that are of equal scale...(but) this this took the cake for how much effort I had to put in to get Billy's character out.' The 'sleazeball lawyer with a black heart' has a much different personality than Julian, but he says he loved it. 'It was genuinely fun to be (Billy),' he said. 'It was interesting being on top of everything _ to succeed in everything he does, and to do it with charm.' The performers often spent time rehearsing their parts at home, turning basements and other rooms into personal studios. Moore spent her spare time rehearsing in her basement and getting 'a good physical workout,' while Bowman joked that she ran and sang on the treadmill. '....it gives you an appreciation for clips of dancing (where) they aren't even breaking a sweat or breathing heavy,' said Moore. Joining local dancers, actors and actresses for the production were a few professional dancers and musicians. 'It felt nerve-wracking,' Bowman said, but she loved how everyone worked together. 'I really loved getting to work with the Kolts,' she said. See 'A' on pg. Continued from pg. Though she had worked with Julian in previous productions, Bowman says it was also nice to work with director Crystal and her husband, pianist Mark. 'It was such a neat experience,' she said. Moore agreed with Bowman when it came to working with the Kolts, who are well known in the local musical community. 'Crystal and Mark are saints...' she said. 'They are the most amazing, organized, selfless people. 'We all appreciate all the time they take,' said Moore, acknowledging that there were plenty of others who deserve praise. 'The entire play and production wouldn't have happened without my mom pushing and my dad playing incredibly hard music,' said Julian, proud of his parents and the success. Once in a lifetime Chicago was a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity for Bowman. 'When am I ever going to be able to do this again _ be this character at this time?' she said. 'Sometimes you aren't the right age...but this really is the perfect time. 'My husband says I barely acted,' Bowman laughed when she started to describe Hart's character. 'I found she was fun to play. She's manipulative. 'There's a desperation about her need to be famous that I really had fun doing.' See 'Char...' on pg. Continued from pg. Bowman said she especially loved when her character 'shifted,' dressing and acting like Moore's character of Velma. 'I really enjoyed that. It was fun,' she said. For Moore, Chicago was a chance to play a fresh role. '...I had not had large singing roles before,' said Moore, who she sang the majority of her lines. 'I was quite nervous about singing in front of people.' But that had to change quickly. 'It's so dance intensive...you had to get over it quick,' Moore said. 'You had to do it in front of people all the time.' Velma's character was a big change for Moore, who, with the aide of makeup, often plays male roles in productions. 'It was fun and fresh to play a younger female and a more attractive role,' she said. Chicago marked the Community Choir's first major musical since Fiddler on the Roof in 2011. It maintained the choir's tradition of bringing a major production to the stage every two years. 'I think it's always a surprise for the community because...when it's two years in between, it's easy to forget,' said Crystal. 'The young people involved are so smart and talented.' The Community Choir brought in a total of eight professionals for the show _ from dancers to musicians to technicians. 'It's the Community Choir, so we hold that word 'community' with pride and integrity,' Crystal said. 'We want to promote and show the local talent.' It was evident the community backed the show as all three performances _ Friday, Saturday and Sunday's matinee _ sold out. Additional seats were added and quickly sold as word of mouth about the show spread. 'It's proof that Flin Flon loves its arts and culture,' Crystal said. 'We had a great opening night and what little kinks (we had) got rounded out by Saturday,' added Julian, who felt that the second night was the best performance. 'I think we just had a wonderful, wonderful run.' Crystal says she loved watching the rehearsals and the final show. 'When things start to work and...the whole team is working very well, it's still amazing to me,' she said.
