Leilani De Santiago
Crimson Chronicle Reporter
The talented students of Hollywood High School’s Performing Arts Magnet (PAM) program once again wowed audiences with their outstanding production of the Broadway classic Chicago. From April 2 to April 5, the school’s theater arts department—alongside the dedicated members of the Thespian Society, the student-led drama club—delivered a dazzling performance that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
This year’s rendition of Chicago featured a stellar cast, with one standout performance by Aileen Duarte in the lead role of Roxie Hart. Duarte, a senior, brought a dynamic energy to the role, capturing the complex character of Roxie with a perfect mix of sass, vulnerability, and determination. Her portrayal of the infamous Chicago chorus girl, seeking fame and fortune at any cost, was nothing short of captivating.
Sharing the spotlight was Paris Prevost, also a senior at Hollywood High, who delivered a commanding and fiery performance as Velma Kelly. Her chemistry with Duarte was electric, especially during their duets and tense scenes. Jaedyn Givens, a senior in the PAM program, stepped confidently into the role of smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn, bringing both charm and wit to the courtroom scenes.
Eduardo Sosa, a junior at Hollywood High, played the lovable and often-overlooked Amos Hart with heartfelt sincerity—his performance of “Mister Cellophane” earned some of the biggest applause of the night. Luna Herrera, a junior, took on multiple supporting roles with versatility and grace.
Da’Mareae Landry, a senior in the PAM program, commanded the stage as The Emcee, tying scenes together with flair and bold presence. Another standout was Beatrix Coyle, a freshman in the PAM program, who played Mary Sunshine. Her vocal range and stage presence were impressive and showed incredible promise for a rising performer.
The ensemble cast was also filled with standout talent, showcasing powerful choreography, quick character work, and non-stop energy that elevated every scene. From lighting and sound to costuming and set design, the Chicago production was a full collaboration between PAM, the Thespian Society, and passionate student creatives who poured countless hours into bringing Broadway to Hollywood High.
“My overall impression was that the actors made it feel as if we were a part of the show,” said one anonymous student who attended the show, “There were many times where they broke the fourth wall and directly addressed the audience and the narrator did a good job at telling us what was happening.”
“I definitely would recommend this show, especially because the performance plot is about trying to get away with a crime,” they added, “This may be more interesting to others who may not usually like these types of performances.”
Aileen Duarte also reflected on the challenges of playing Roxie Hart, especially when it came to the show’s demanding choreography and musical numbers.
“Chicago is very, very dance-heavy,” said Duarte, “Honestly, before I went into Chicago, I was like, wow, this seems cool, so I auditioned, and I didn’t really know that it was so dance-heavy.”
“I don’t consider myself a dancer, I would say I’m a singer, actor, and dancer,” she said, “So my dancing is pretty weak and it was really intimidating—especially with balancing dancing and singing.”
“For the second, ‘Me and My Baby’, that one was really challenging and I think breath control is a lot of it, but you just get better as you go on,” said Duarte, “It was really hard and sometimes I would just forget to act because I’d be too busy focusing on breathing so I don’t sound all shaky, but it was definitely really intimidating.”
The production of Chicago at Hollywood High School was a resounding success, showcasing the incredible talent within the PAM program and the Thespian Society. A huge congratulations goes out to the entire cast and crew—especially Aileen Duarte, Paris Prevost, Jaedyn Givens, Eduardo Sosa, Luna Herrera, Da’Mareae Landry, Beatrix Coyle, and the remarkable ensemble—for bringing this bold and brilliant show to life.
If you missed the show, be sure to catch the next one—Hollywood High School’s theater program continues to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of performing arts!
