On the weekend of April 24, students from the Burton Center for Arts and Technology’s performing arts program presented their rendition of Chicago: The Musical at Glenvar High School.

The Burton performing arts program is a specialized course designed to train students in stage presence and performance skills while helping them build confidence. Mrs. Victoria Barrow, one of the program’s instructors, said the curriculum provides students in Roanoke County with training in “dance, acting, and voice.”

William Richardson, a senior at Cave Spring High School, said he enjoyed “growing as a theatre performer along with other kids in my district.”

The production was a long-time goal for Mrs. Kelli Manor, the show’s director and Burton Center’s dance teacher. Chicago features many jazzy dance numbers—an ideal match for what Manor described as her “advanced” group of students.

The cast began preparations months in advance, holding auditions in December. One of Hidden Valley’s own, sophomore Layla Diaz, performed in the ensemble. She said, “All of our class time went to going through rundowns,” including practice with “blocking” and “different ways to interpret the script.”

Both Diaz and Richardson pointed to the number “They Both Reached for the Gun” as a standout moment in the show, as it was the first scene to feature the entire cast. Richardson, who portrayed Billy Flynn—the slick lawyer and male lead—during the weekend shows, said he especially enjoyed the number.

“I had loads of fun switching vocal registers to portray not only myself but Roxie Hart [the protagonist] as well,” he said.

The cast’s hard work was evident during their performances. The students brought the iconic musical to life through strong vocals, choreography, and stage presence, delivering a memorable and polished production.