A MUSICAL which explores the corruption and crime-ridden era of 1920s Chicago, while celebrating the jazz music and dance of the era, has sold out in Alloa.

Starting tonight, Wednesday February 26, Alloa Musical Players (AMP) will be on the familiar stage at the town hall with their production of the hit musical Chicago.

Local singers, dancers and musicians will be delivering live music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb while the dancing choreography will be faithful to the style of Bob Fosse, interpreted with huge energy by AMP’s artistic director Kaye Finlay.

The story is set in the jazz age and is based on a play of the same name by US reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins.

She wrote about real life offenders and their unlawful deeds in what is a satire on corruption and the concept of celebrity criminals.

One key character is chorus girl Roxie Hart, played by Lesley Kettles, who murders Fred Casley, Richard Cook taking on the role, as he attempts to break off an affair with her.

She convinces her husband Amos, played by Gavin Orr, that the victim was in fact a burglar and he agrees to take the blame.

However, he belatedly realises she lied to him and Roxie confesses, soon ending up in prison where the women’s block is looked after by the outrageous Matron Mama Morton, played by Kirsty Gillies, who often takes bribes and exploits the murderesses in Cook County Jail.

Indeed, the matron helped Velma Kelly, Laura McPherson taking on the role, become the media’s top murderer of the week, but soon Roxie will be stealing not just the limelight, but her sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn, played by Alan Musgrave.

The rest will be played out on the Alloa Town Hall stage from tonight until Friday, February 29.

Tickets for all five shows have sold out, but AMP says it is worth checking on the door as there may be a few returns.

Anyone looking to get involved with Alloa Musical Players, whether that is on or off the stage, can visit alloamusicalplayers.org or find AMP on Facebook.

Young people between the ages of 11 and 16 should also look out for opportunities as Junior AMP is set to be launched this spring.