Broadway show debuts at IU Auditorium

"Chicago," known to many as the star-filled musical that made it to the Hollywood big-screen, is coming to the IU Auditorium Tuesday and Wednesday. But what you'll see is not what you got from the Academy Award-winning film. In fact, the film originated from the Broadway revival that is coming to Bloomington. \nThe Broadway production of "Chicago" was so successful that it sparked its current national tour. The show's producers, Barry and Fran Weissler, have received Tony Awards, as have the choreographer and director. "Chicago's" success includes international fame as well. Canadian-born actor Terra MacLeod, who stars in the show as Velma Kelly, preformed in Paris, Canada and Japan before joining the American tour. \n"The great thing about this show is that it works in any language; I've performed in three different languages and everyone gets it, anywhere you go," she said.\nMacLeod describes the show as having a simple concept; it pokes fun at the media while simultaneously showing how powerful they are. The plot centers around two women who are charged with murder and shows how the media manipulate the minds of the public to believe certain things about the women. \nMacLeod said she considers the show a vaudeville piece, and not your typical musical. \n"It's not what you expect," she said. "It doesn't matter if you've seen the movie. This is live theater. There is an energy in the room that creates a different effect. There's nothing like it." \nShe encourages students to come out and see it, insisting that live theater is an art, which many miss out on.\n"Don't rely on movies to be the only art you see -- missing theater is missing art," she said.\nThe production of "Chicago" has taken different routes of delivery to audiences in its time, and with that reached people in different ways. \n"In any production of 'Chicago,' you have characters bring their own truths to the roles," MacLeod said. "So many people have done this show, and each brings their truth. That's what makes it so great."\nFor those who have experienced the film version of "Chicago," the colorful and dramatic stage settings for some of the music and dance pieces might come to mind, as well as the shining lights on a sign exclaiming "ROXY," or the audience full of awe-struck men in Queen Latifah's character's elaborate delivery of "When You're Good to Mama."\nBut MacLeod, who plays the Broadway role that Catherine Zeta-Jones held in the film, said the audience can expect something less lavish from their show,\n"The setting is different. Don't expect to see what you saw in the movie," she said. "In this production, we are the scenery." \nBoth performances begin at 8 p.m. Event ticket prices for IU students range from $17.50 to $37.50 and ticket prices for the general public are $34.50 to $57.50. Tickets are available at IU Auditorium Box Office or online at www.iuauditorium.com.