‘Razzle Dazzle’ comes to life at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall

MINOT, N.D. - There's a certain electricity that comes with a show like "Chicago."

America's longest-running musical has a pulse driven by brass, rhythm, and the seductive allure of fame.

From April 9-12, that energy finds a home at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall as Western Plains Opera and Minot State University Theatre join forces to bring one of Broadway's most iconic productions to the stage.

For Sarah Belfrage Honerman, assistant professor of theatre at Minot State, the journey to "Chicago" has been a long time coming.

"I have loved 'Chicago' for as long as I can remember," she said. "I had the opportunity to perform in a production when I was an undergrad, and I absolutely loved it. It is one that I will never get tired of listening to, so I have been waiting for another chance to bring it back into my life."

Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets for Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb, and John Kander's "Chicago: The Musical" are $35/$30/$25 for adults, and $10 for students under 18. Military ticket prices are $25 for all sections with a valid ID, while MSU students are admitted free with their MSU ID. For more information, see attached poster. To purchase tickets or for more information, see Western Plains Opera's website and online box office.

The collaboration between MSU Theatre and Western Plains Opera began with "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in 2024 and continues to evolve, blending student talent with community performers and professional-level musicianship.

"It was something Dr. Eads (former MSU music professor Emerson Eads) and I wanted to build," Honerman explained. "I'm a firm believer in making theater accessible to the masses, and joining with WPO allows us to do that. I hope people will love the production we have been working so tirelessly on for several months."

Accessibility, in this case, doesn't mean scaling back. If anything, "Chicago" demands the opposite.

Set in the roaring 1920s, the musical follows Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two women entangled in crime and celebrity, navigating a justice system where fame often matters more than truth. With its minimalist staging, sharp choreography, and jazz-infused score, "Chicago" relies heavily on performance precision.

That level of expectation isn't lost on the cast or crew.

"There are pressures that come with shows that are well known," Honerman said. "But at the end of the day, I want to make sure that every show we produce at MSU is the absolute best we can share with our audiences."

Minot State will be well represented in the production, as alumnae Angela Schnaible '99 and Kylee Cook '25 have been cast as the iconic rival murderesses.

"Both our Velma Kelly (Schnaible) and Roxie Hart (Cook) are MSU graduates, and there are at least six other actors who are either current Minot State students or MSU grads," Honerman said. "There are also several faculty, staff, students, and grads in the orchestra. I knew that we had musicians here interested in playing in the pit and actors who were thrilled at the prospect as well."

And by all accounts, the work behind the curtain has matched that ambition. After a six-month process to secure performance rights, rehearsals moved quickly into high gear. The staging period spanned six weeks, but many performers have been immersed in the production since casting wrapped in late January.

The result is a tight-knit ensemble that reflects the heart of the collaboration itself.

"Watching the cast pick up the choreography and keep pushing when they think they don't have anything left to give has truly been one of my favorite parts," Honerman said. "This group has become close. We laugh together, we cry together … we just lift each other up in a way that is truly remarkable."

It's a showcase not only of a beloved musical, but of the University's growing strength in theater and performance.

"I can't wait for the public to see the talent we have at Minot State," Honerman said. "The music, the dancing, the acting, it's sure to leave audiences wanting more."