ESCANABA — Players de Noc announces the opening of its winter musical, the Broadway blockbuster Chicago. Based on a play of the same name by reporter and playwright Maurine Dallas Watkins. It covers the 1924 trials of several women accused of killing their lovers or husbands. The original show, directed by and choreographed by Bob Fosse with music by John Kander and Fred Ebb, opened in 1975 and received 10 Tony nominations for best musical. It ran for 936 performances and was later revived in 1996. Still currently running, it holds the record as the longest musical revival in Broadway history due to its killer score and knock-em-dead dance numbers like “All that Jazz”. “Cell Block Tango” and “Razzle Dazzle.”

Set in the Roaring Twenties, Chicago tells the story of an aspiring chorus girl named Roxie Hart (Autumn Fournier) and fading vaudeville start Velma Kelly (Erica Mead) who each face trial for murder.

Both are cynical and sexy as they comets for the services of shady lawyer Billy Flynn (Matt Gilbertson) who promises to make them media celebrities and win them acquittals.

Also featured are Roxie’s sweet but dim-witted husband Amos (Brennan Richardson), Maltron “Mama” Morton, the Cook County Jail female warden )Betsy Haden) and reporter Mary Sunshine (Emma Frye)

Rounding out the large car are: Adrian Rhode, Whitney Massie, Dana Harper, Samantha Cassell, Bridgit Bichler, Aubrey Stropich, Darren Widder, Steve Jackman, Thomas Kluka, Christa Hubert, Mariah Lee, Michelle Wood, Mya Lewis and Kristen Pilot. The dance ensemble includes choreographers Marissa Backlund and Madelyn Mayers, plus Amber Hartman and Rebecca Ingebrigtsen.

Directing the production is long-time Players veteran Robin Gavrilloff, with Jenny Heller as the production stage manager. Crew chiefs include backstage manager (Brett Balmier), lighting (Kris Holland), sound (Kerry Madalinski), set design (Jamie Peterson), costumes (Beth Peterson), props (Kelly Pepin) and make-up (Kathy LeDuc).

Musical directors include Sydney Ogren as vocal coach and Chris Berryman leading the large pit orchestra. It includes : Caroline Furmanski, Noah Dier, Sienna Mahood, Jessica Chouinard, Maverick O’Driscoll, Anna Lemerand, Zoey Jorasz, Christine Dowdy, Robbie Miller, Jeff Scheuren, Abe Berryman, Lily Brondyke, Anders Nyberge and Dave Cowen.

Opening February 28, the show will run for seven performances at the William Bonifas Fine Arts Theatre though March 8. Tickets are available for $17 at the Bonifas or online at playersdenoc.org. Patrons are advised to get their tickets soon as they are going fast.