Sex, murder, song and dance encompass the 1920s-inspired, razzle-dazzle musical, Chicago, which will be coming to the Eisenhower Auditorium next Wednesday.
The Center of Performing Arts' presentation of the Broadway touring company will be for one night only at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 1.
After one Tony Award and six Oscars, Chicago is still expanding on its national Broadway tour. Based on a play from 1926 written by Maurine Dallas Watkins, the musical is about an ignorant nightclub dancer, Roxie Hart, who realizes after she murders her lover the truth will not set you free. Her journey to fame is paved with lies and deception as she turns her courtroom battle into the gossip of Chicago streets.
Laura Sullivan, marketing director for the Center of the Performing Arts, said she couldn't think of a better way to open the season than with a splashy Broadway show.
"The show has always been very popular and we have been waiting to bring it here for a while," Sullivan said.
Brent Heuser plays the role of Billy Flynn, Roxy Hart's devious lawyer. He said he is looking forward to another college-town audience after already visiting others.
"You can absolutely tell it's a different crowd," Heuser said. "They get a little rowdy and always have more feedback during the show."
Heuser, who graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City in 2007, landed his dream role in Chicago after he was originally told he was too tall at 6-foot-6-inches to even make the chorus. He got a call to audition one Tuesday, during the producers and directors lunch hour, for the male lead, Billy Flynn.
"It was a 20-minute audition," Heuser said. "By the time I had gotten off the subway they told me I had gotten the part and I needed to come back and start rehearsal."
Heuser's dream of performing in Chicago had come true, a dream since he had a part-time job selling merchandise for the show on Broadway.
Heuser said watching the show every night prepared him for his future role.
"I watched a lot of guys play Billy Flynn and it really helped me understand and get into the role," Heuser said.
He added that after watching the show so many times, he loves the characters, even though they are corrupt.
"It's sexy, dangerous and touching," Heuser said. "It's got an edge with murder and it's not your old school, standard musical."
The excitement is apparent in Heuser's voice when he spoke about his favorite musical even after the long drives and one-night-only performances in small towns.
"It's just so cool and alluring," Heuser said.
Sullivan said she thinks Penn State students agree with his statement.
At the "Student Patio Party," a promotional event held earlier this year, Chicago had the highest ticket sales, beating out other Broadway shows such as Hairspray that are scheduled this year.
"More people are familiar with the storyline because of the movie," Sullivan said. "The popularity keeps it out there longer and makes it easier to sell."
Dana Pidliskey (junior-advertising) interned for the Center of the Performing Arts last year and has been involved in theater all of her life.
Now a resident assistant, Pidliskey said she will bring a few female residents from her building to the show. She said the show is a seductive and glamorous piece of musical theater.
"If you have an appreciation for song and dance you would enjoy this work of a well-rehearsed show," Pidliskey said.
Heuser said the cast is still constantly rehearsing even though they are on the road.
"It depends on where we are, but sound checks are always a mini rehearsal," Heuser said.
Constantly together, Heuser described the cast as "a big family on the road for six months."He added they are all positive people.
"When you have so much divided up sleep," Heuser said, "fun people help to keep spirits up."
Heuser and the rest of the Chicago cast will be "living the dream" on tour until Nov. 2. Regardless of his future, Heuser said this job definitely beats his old one at the Olive Garden where he told his employers, "Sorry, I quit to do what I love."
Tickets for the musical are $49 for adults and $44 for people ages 18 and under. Student tickets are $34 and are available through Eisenhower Auditorium, the Penn State Downtown Theatre, 146 S. Allen St., HUB-Robeson Center information desk. Tickets can also be purchased by phone (1-800-ARTS-TIX) or online at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster include a $4 per seat convenience charge.
