Pumpjack Players razzle dazzle Whitecourt

By Ashley Clementovich

Jazz, booze, cabaret, and murder: all the things you need for a memorable evening out in Whitecourt. This year’s Pumpjack Players dinner theatre production offered all of that and more with its rendition of Chicago, a musical made famous by the likes of Broadway and the 2002 motion picture. The opening weekend was a great success, the first show on Friday night leaving the audience in fits of laughter, whoops, cheers and, of course, exuberant applause.

With a cast and production crew of 75 people, it’s no wonder Pumpjack hasn’t performed a musical in over a decade. Director Jamie Betts along with her fantastic cast and crew created a truly remarkable show in just a few short months, a great accomplishment for such a well-known production. “Chicago the Musical has been a labour of love for me and many others since May of this year. The local talent in this show and the amount of hard work and dedication will blow the audiences off their seats,” said Betts.

The story follows Roxie Hart, a young woman yearning to be a star on the Chicago stage achieving her dream of fame only after murdering her lover, Fred Casely. With the aid of her litigator and his hyperbolizing talents, Billy Flynn, Hart quickly rides the coattails of her crime to stardom.

Taking up the role of Hart in this production is the lovely Marie-Jane Bujold-Vallee who has participated in Pumpjack productions for the past number of years but is stepping onto the stage for her first time. Alongside Bujold-Vallee, taking on the role of fellow murderer and jazz slinger Velma Kelly is the talented Candace Laprise. “Through this experience, I’ve met some incredibly talented artists and devoted volunteers. I want to see what this town could do with a place of its own for performing arts. This venture has been a great experience, and the best part is connecting with this talented community,” said Laprise.

Supported by an amazing ensemble, the cast of Chicago sings and dances its way through two acts of murder and mayhem-filled drama.

Pumpjack Players veteran John Detka who plays Billy Flynn, was in awe of the amount of hard work and talent that went into Chicago. “I have been told that there were about 75 people involved in getting this production to opening night! This is a monster play that can at any time rear its ugly head and destroy all the hard work of so many, but I feel confident that the dedication of those 75 volunteers won’t let that happen! This production has proven beyond a doubt how strong our theatre community in Whitecourt is,” said Detka.

Next weekend holds the final two performances for those wishing to still see this wonderful show. Tickets must be purchased at the Whitecourt Public Library by Thursday, November 21.