Broadway hit arrives in Ningbo with a sizzle

 Sarah Soetaert (left) and Michelle Antrobus (middle) participate in a roadshow at a shopping mall in Ningbo on Nov 5. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

Stars Sarah Soetaert and Michelle Antrobus of the Broadway hit musical Chicago thrilled local audiences with fiery jazz dance roadshows at two shopping malls in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Nov 5.

Following their dynamic performances, Chicago will be staged at the Ningbo Grand Theatre from Dec 12 to 15, with six consecutive performances promising a musical feast.

Dressed in their performance costumes, Soetaert and Antrobus captivated the crowd with classic scenes from the musical, including My Own Best Friend and the renowned duet dance Hot Honey Rag.

In Chicago, Soetaert and Antrobus portray Roxie and Velma, respectively. Antrobus explained that the Hot Honey Rag scene occurs when Roxie and Velma meet and realize they must team up to reach the pinnacle of fame.

Chicago holds a prominent place in Broadway's musical landscape, according to Soetaert. She emphasized that the show offers something new with every viewing and eagerly anticipated its reception in Ningbo.

The roadshow also attracted students from Ningbo University's Notes & Beats musical club, who performed imitations of dances and songs from the musical.

"We were truly amazed by the overwhelming response at the venue. We plan to invite performers to venture beyond the theater walls into shopping malls, communities, and public squares to engage more young audiences through innovative performance settings," said Li Ting, deputy general manager of the Ningbo Grand Theatre.