The Palmerton Drama Club is ready to razzle-dazzle audiences with its upcoming production of “Chicago: Teen Edition,” which opens Thursday night in the high school auditorium.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday with the curtain going up one hour later on a story that delves into themes of ambition, fame, and the lengths people go to in pursuit of the “American Dream.”

Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. They can be purchased at www.palmertondramaclub.com or at the door.

According to Brent Harris, the drama club adviser, “Chicago: Teen Edition” stood out for its deceptive simplicity.

“It has a mostly stationary set, but a set that is significant in size and structure,” Harris said.

The lack of elaborate scene changes puts the spotlight squarely on the talent of the student performers.

“The vocal work and the choreography might seem simple,” Harris added, “but the Bob Fosse style that is heavily displayed in Chicago is very distinct and difficult to get right.”

The challenge, however, is exactly what excites the drama club.

“Some of the students in this production have been involved in as many as 14 shows here,” Harris said, “and this is one that really allows them to showcase their talent.”

The road to opening night has been paved with dedication and hard work. Rehearsals began in December, with the cast and crew putting in countless hours to perfect the intricate dance moves and complex vocal arrangements.

“Our rehearsal schedule runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday,” Harris said. “We ask a lot of both our cast and our crew.”

Harris is particularly proud of how the team has pushed the boundaries in terms of technical aspects.

“For Chicago, we focused on trying to improve our lighting designs,” he said. “This rehearsal process also included a great deal of shifting lights, colors, and angles to provide a new element that our shows have not had before.”

The Palmerton Drama Club has a well-deserved reputation for delivering high-quality productions and expectations for “Chicago: Teen Edition” are no different.

“We have always tried to include new elements in our productions that audiences have not seen before,” Harris said. “The concept of raising-the-bar for us is as simple as doing something fresh and new with each production.”

Looking at their recent productions, the variety speaks for itself, with shows ranging from the classic “White Christmas” to the energetic “Grease,” “The Play That Goes Wrong,” and now the captivating “Chicago.”

“These four shows could not be more different from each other,” Harris said.

What sets “Chicago: Teen Edition” apart, according to Harris, are the “Fossy-specific dance, the stylized jazz vocals, the significant set structure, and the new lighting designs.”

However, the most crucial ingredient remains the talent and commitment of the students.

“We just continue to be fortunate to work with tremendously talented students who are willing to put in the time and effort that it takes to get these shows right,” Harris said.

Harris extended a special thanks to Brandyn Miller, Resa Hall, and Chrissy Rehatchek for their tireless dedication behind the scenes.

Overcoming challenges is an inevitable part of any theatrical production, and “Chicago: Teen Edition” is no different.

“Chicago: Teen Edition is a little non-traditional in how music and dance-centered it is,” Harris said. “The scenes that include lots of dialogue are few and far between.”

However, this unique characteristic has fostered a strong sense of teamwork among the cast and crew.

“Our work on this show has been all about time and repetition,” Harris said. “I can’t believe how excited our students are to come in on Saturday mornings and run songs and dances over and over. They are a truly special group.”