The fishwrap

A brutal murder, a beautiful femme fatale, a smooth-talking reporter and a twisted justice system. What’s it all add up to? Headlines! Big, bold, record-selling headlines! And in Chicago, the bottom line is never justice—it’s newspaper sales. Here the papers follow alleged murderess Roxie Hart from the night of the murder to her kangaroo court-style trial.

Chicago—the play, not the musical—is the latest offering from Main Street Theater Works. The production faced a number of challenges including several last-minute cast changes in leading roles.

Director Susan McCandless assembled some of the brightest theater talent in the Sacramento Valley for this production, including Susan Madden (Grace and Glorie), Pam Guerrero (A Streetcar Named Desire) and West Ramsey (Oscar & Bosie). Unfortunately, a good cast and crew and a do-or-die spirit just wasn’t enough to save this production.

The performance is hindered by painfully slow pacing, a clear lack of connection and several uninspired performances. There are several bright spots in the show, as well as moments of fun, yet, unfortunately, not enough to make this production palatable.