Similar programs charge high school students tuition, but Summer Stock Austin not only offers the experience to all participants free of charge, many of the college students work as mentors throughout the process. Led by a host of professionals with experience ranging from Austin to Broadway, students begin making invaluable connections as they embark on their professional careers and gain firsthand knowledge of working in a professional setting.

As a self-proclaimed theatre nerd, I have a bit of an embarrassing confession: I have never seen Chicago on stage. I’ve belted the soundtrack, seen the movie countless times, and even walked past the Ambassador Theater on Broadway (that counts-right?). But I had not yet seen this musical favorite live, until Wednesday night at the opening of Summer Stock Austin’s Chicago.

And yes, was it all that and a side of jazz.

The musical, which proved to be a modest success on Broadway back in 1998, is based on the 1998 film of the same name. Teenager Ren McCormack (Donelvan Thigpen) moves from Chicago to a small town which, due to the prodding of the town’s minister (Vincent Hooper), has outlawed dancing. It’s up to Ren to get the town dancing again, and in the process, he attracts the attention of the Reverend’s rebellious daughter (Mariel Ardilla).