Two old ballerinas, a baseball great, a teen angel, and fifteen sequined Rockettes walk into a women's prison with Gene Kelly. No, it's not a joke, it's just some of what you can expect from the upcoming dance extravaganza "Give My Regards to Broadway" opening April 22 at the NIU School of Theatre and Dance.
A cast of over 50 of NIU's finest dancers, actors, and faculty members will perform an eclectic mix of rock, jazz, tap, and ballet numbers from such famous musicals as "A Chorus Line," "Anything Goes," "Singin' in the Rain," "Grease," "Damn Yankees," and "Chicago."
Most of the musicals featured in "Give My Regards to Broadway" dance went on to become successful movies and permanent fixtures in pop culture, so even audiences who haven't been exposed to Broadway theatre will recognize them.
One of the choreographers for the show is NIU School of Theatre and Dance faculty member Karen Williamson. She stresses the wide-ranging appeal of a Broadway dance production.
"This is not a performance that people need to come and try to 'figure out' what is going on in the choreography," says Williamson. "There's not necessarily a message to get out of the work, like there is so often in modern works. This is 'fun' dance."
Williamson shares choreographing duties with fellow NIU faculty members Randy Newsom, Paula Frasz, and Judy Chitwood. "Give My Regards to Broadway" dance affords each of them the luxury of reinterpreting the classic choreography of great Broadway masters like Gene Kelly and Bob Fosse.
"Give My Regards to Broadway" dance runs April 22-25 in NIU's O'Connell Theatre. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays and 2:00 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $14 for general admission, $8 for seniors, and $7 for students. To purchase tickets and for more information call the Stevens Building box office at 753-1600.