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 secretary@portholeplayers.com

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

If for any reason you cannot attend both, please contact the director in advance via email: Secretary@portholeplayers.com

June 14 @ 1:00 p.m. – Dance Audition – Part I

Newport Recreation Center, Room 129

Pre-recorded choreography and movement call

When you fill out your audition form – you will receive an email and a link to the 

choreography video at 1:00 p.m. on June 10th. 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.

June 20 @ 1:00 p.m. – Music and Script Reading Audition – Part II

Newport Performing Arts Center, Alice Silverman stage

Audition Expectations for Vocals - DOs and DON’Ts

DO pick out a song to perform for the audition that shows your vocal range. If the role you 

are aiming for is in a mezzo soprano or alto range, select an audition piece to match that.

DON’T choose a song from Chicago.

DO bring sheet music to the audition of your song choice. Our accompanist can sight read 

music and will be able to play it for you. There are several websites to download free sheet 

music and there are even more that ask for a small fee. Choosing to perform a song 

acapella doesn’t really show us how you can sing within a structured music line, but it will 

work if you have no other choice. If you choose to bring a prerecorded track, please bring 

your Mp3 playing device that you can sync up to our blue tooth speaker. 

DO pick out a song that fits your personality type and allows you to act, not just sing. It 

does not matter if you pick something from the traditional Broadway canon, a modern 

musical, or an old folk song, it just matters that the song tells a story and expresses an 

idea. Pop songs are generally not a solid choice. Each song in Chicago tells a story, so 

choose a song that showcases your storytelling skills.

DO keep it 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.

DON’T pick a song from the show. We are saying this twice on purpose. Think of this as an 

opportunity to show us who YOU are and how YOU tell a story that you know inside and out. 

Make your audition unique and memorable!

DO dress for success, but we are focusing on YOU and your talent, not your attire. A bob 

wig, fishnet stockings, or a fedora hat will not get you a part, but your vocal talent will!

What if you don’t have a song prepared in advance? We will ask you to sing a melody line 

from a book of song standards for us. Never fear, we will try to make it as painless as 

possible. 

If you have never really sung before, there are still some ensemble roles as reporters and 

jurors, but we encourage you to give the vocal auditions a try! We will ask you to sing and 

show us you can be in choral group. There are no giraffes in Chicago the Musical.

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/the￾script/ . 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 

secretary@portholeplayers.com . 

-Thank you!

See the audition form below!