Two Maple Leaf residents star in 'Chicago'

“Chicago” plays Nov. 12-Dec. 4 at Seattle Musical Theatre starring Roxie (Danielle Barnum), Billy (Troy Johnson) and Velma (Lindsey Larson).

When Seattle Musical Theatre’s performance of “Chicago” opens Friday, Nov. 12, you can put a little hometown pride in your ticket purchase while receiving a discount just for reading Maple Leaf Life.

The show – which continues through Dec. 4 with performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and on Dec. 2, as well as at 2 p.m. on Sundays – stars two residents of Maple Leaf: Bradetta Vines, who plays Mama Morton, and Krista Gibbon, a member of the ensemble.

Maple Leaf Life spoke with both Vines and Gibbon about their experience with the performance and their love of Maple Leaf.

Vines, who first moved to Maple Leaf in 1993, previously performed with Seattle Musical Theatre in “Ragtime” in the mid-1990s, and is excited about her role as Mama Morton, the matron of the Cook County Jail. Yes, that’s the role played by Queen Latifah in the movie.

“She’s been a lot of fun to play with an amazing cast,” said Vines, who started performing at age 12. In addition to her Seattle Musical Theatre roles, Vines has worked with The 5th Avenue Theatre and the former Group Theatre, before she left Seattle for a couple of years.

But now she’s back and it sounds like Maple Leaf might have been one of the reasons: “Cloud City‘s my favorite place to go,” Vines quipped.

Gibbon just moved to Maple Leaf this summer from her hometown of Renton.

“I love it,” she said of her new neighborhood. “It’s really a family-oriented, nice little neighborhood.”

Gibbon has been performing since she was about 10, and has worked extensively with At the Ridge Theatre and also has had roles with The 5th Avenue Theatre.

“It’s my passion,” said Gibbon, who just graduated from the University of Washington. “I hope to make a career out of it, so we’ll see what happens.”

This is her first show at Seattle Musical Theatre, and she wants everybody to see it.

“Come see the show,” Gibbon said. “It’s going to be awesome.”

Oh, did you keep reading to find out about the buy-one-get-one-half-off discount? Just call the Seattle Musical Theatre box office at 206-363-2809 and mention the code Billy Flynn’s Blog Fee. Seattle Musical Theatre is located in Building 47 at Magnuson Park, 7120 62nd Ave. N.E.

And hats off to Maple Leaf’s own Vines and Gibbon!