Temple Theatre, Central Carolina's Center for the Performing Arts, announces "Chicago" as its season opener for the 2010-2011 season. "Chicago" is playing through Oct. 3.

The play, by Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb and John Kander, is an electrifying tale of greed, murder and show biz set in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties.

Chorine Roxie Hart, played by Lea Kohl, murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, played by Temple's Michael Brocki, to take the rap - until he finds out he's been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another "Merry Murderess," Velma Kelly, played by Peggy Taphorn, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the "American Dream": fame, fortune and acquittal.

Billy Flynn, the manipulative attorney hired to help help these two ladies escape death row, is played by Corey Brunish.

Peggy Taphorn, who is also Temple's producing artistic director, choreographs and directs this show. Taphorn says her cast of 20 includes "some of the most talented performing artists and are challenging one of Broadway's sexiest musicals. I'd suggest everyone get their tickets now."

Matron Mama is played by Patty Cucco, with musical direction by Michael Hoagland. "Chicago," one of Broadway's most popular musicals, is the winner of six Tony Awards with favorites like "All That Jazz" and "Razzle Dazzle."

Sasha T. Fuller is the stage manager. David Castaneda is the lighting designer, and Eileen Greenbaum-Mintz is the set designer.

"With 20-plus musical numbers, the majority of the cast has been rehearsing six days a week," Taphorn says.

Shows are available for Thursday matinees at 2 p.m. and Thursday evening performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

The theater is located in downtown Sanford.

Tickets are $20, and are available by (919) 774-4155, or online at www.templeshows.com.