Hickory – Lenoir-Rhyne University will open its 2019-20 Playmakers season with a production of “Chicago,” an American musical with the book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The musical will be performed Wednesday, Nov. 13, through Saturday, Nov. 16, with shows at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17. All performances will take place in P.E. Monroe Auditorium.

Set in Jazz-age Chicago, the musical is based on a 1926 play of the same name by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, with a script adaptation by David Thompson, about actual criminals and crimes for which she reported. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice. “Chicago” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. Due to mature language and content, it is rated PG-13.

The cast features both LR students and local residents: Brandon Becker, Autumn Bolton, J’Quincy Boykins, Ashlen Cheers, Callie Cope, Alexandria De La Torre, Davin Diores, Chase Fowler, Dr. Timothy Goldberg, Quentin Heller-Lee, Christine McKinney, Sam Miller, Aidan Nigrelli, Hailey Pearce, Ainsley Richardson, Ariona Smith, Serra Smith, Cypress Snyder, and Justin Wilson. LR student Kaitlyn Smith is the stage manager with choreography led by LR student Cope, local resident Dallas McKinney, and Dr. Lindsay Weitkamp, LR assistant professor of theatre.

Hernando Claros, LR instructor, assisted by LR student Skylar Smith, will oversee set and lighting design. Amber Biecker, LR adjunct instructor of theatre, is the costume designer assisted by LR students Cope, Fowler, and Skylar Smith.

LR’s music and theatre programs collaborate on a biannual cycle to produce a show. Weitkamp is the director. Musical direction is provided by Dr. Christopher Nigrelli, professor of music, and vocal coach and accompaniment is provided by Jeana Borman, instructor of music.

Tickets are $15 for general admission or $10 for senior, student, or youth 18 years and younger. Wednesday evening is a “pay what you can.” Tickets are available at the door, online at lr.edu/playmakers, or can be picked up at the LR Box office in P.E. Monroe Auditorium. Box office hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, visit lr.edu/publicevents or call 828.328.7206 for ticket information.