By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

Cast members gathered on stage, stretching and talking while the seven-piece orchestra warmed up behind them. 

As the house lights went down and stage lights illuminated the set, the director called out to his cast to take their places. 

“Have fun everyone, that’s an order,” he said as the music began and dancers took to the stage.

The Legacy Theater Company cast of the musical “Chicago” gathered last week for one of their final rehearsals before the show opens this weekend. The show marks the second time the newly founded theater company has staged a production at Thornton Academy’s Garland Auditorium in Saco.

Steve Burnette, founder and executive producing director, started the theater company in late 2008 after leaving his job at City Theater in Biddeford. He said creating a mission statement for the company – “performing random acts of charity through the art of theater” – was an important way for him to give back to the community beyond entertainment. 

Burnette said the theater had a positive response from the community after its first show last spring, “Random Acts of Silly.” Though the theater is new to town, he said some audience members will recognize veteran cast members from previous community theater performances. The “light-hearted, joyful” cast and crew of about 30 have been practicing for their two-week run for months, he said. 

“It’s amazing, the very talented people on stage, behind the stage, backstage,” Burnette said. “They cannot wait to help out.”

Burnette said audiences will enjoy the “exuberance” of the show. He said the seven-piece orchestra is “incredible,” and credits the quality sound to musical director Camille Curtis-Saucier. Many people are familiar with the musical, but newcomers will also enjoy the show, he said. 

“Chicago,” a Kander and Ebb musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago, opened on Broadway in 1976 and was revived in 1996. It tells the story of Roxie Hart, who is jailed after shooting her lover, and her encounters with fellow inmate Velma Kelly and their lawyer Billy Flynn. A film version starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere was released in 2002.

Ray Dumont, the show’s director and choreographer, said this is the first time he has directed “Chicago.” He previously performed as a dancer in a production of the musical and loved studying the dancing style of original Broadway choreographer Bob Fosse.

Dumont said the show, a satire on corruption in criminal justice and celebrity criminals, is especially timely as tabloids cover events such as Michael Jackson’s death and create instant celebrities.

“[The show] is a blast. It’s entertaining, but it’s really incredibly relevant,” he said.

Dumont said the cast of the show has made staging the “strenuous, non-stop” production a joy. The principal cast is “out of this world” and many performers come to the show with various levels of community theater experience.

 “They are extraordinary. What’s amazing is each one of these people brought an amazing collection of skills. Each one’s strengths help bolster another one’s weakness,” Dumont said. “That’s what’s beautiful about theater, it brings out the best in people.”

Jessica Ernest, a summer camp counselor and college student from Gorham, stars as Roxie Hart. While she has experience with other community theaters, this is the first time she has worked with Burnette and performed in “Chicago.”

“It’s been really challenging for me learning so much about the character and show and dance styles,” she said. 

Cory Bucknam of Portland, who stars as Velma Kelly, said the music is the best part of the show but not the only reason audiences will enjoy it.

“It’s got drama, slapstick comedy, a real message, really good dancing,” she said. “It really just is a complete show and everyone is doing a phenomenal job. I feel lucky to be in a show of this quality.”

Paul Stickney, a voice and piano teacher from Gorham, plays Billy Flynn. He said the music “just makes your blood pound” and he is “thrilled” to work with the “dream team” of Burnette and Dumont. The cast, he said, makes working on the show even better.

“Everyone is enormously talented and they’re so nice,” he said. “It is a pleasure to come to rehearsal, to be at rehearsal and we all want to stay late. It’s wonderful.”

While the cast and crew look forward to staging a quality play for the audience to enjoy, Burnette said giving back to the community is equally important. The company donates 10 percent of all ticket sales to local charities and asks audience members to donate non-perishable food items to the “United We Weigh 1 Ton of Foodraising Campaign.” He said 400 pounds of food has already been collected for the Saco Food Pantry this year.

“We want to be the company that hands back,” he said. “I wanted it to be more than just about doing a show. Why not take advantage of a large crowd to donate?”

Burnette said he has found a lot of support with his goal from cast and crew, who enthusiastically embrace the mission statement.

“I’ve always been blessed with having wonderful people working with me. There are a lot of people out there who want to be part of something like this. It’s nice to walk out of the theater at the end of the nice knowing you did something good. That’s kind of cool.”

Dumont said working with a theater dedicated specifically to giving back to the community in a substantial way is a first for him. 

“I’ve never seen a community theater take such an active part in giving back to its community. This gives back to the community whether they come or not,” he said. “It’s commendable, it’s unique. It might even catch on and wouldn’t that be wonderful.”

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased by calling 604-9448.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.