'Chicago' broads compete for stage spotlight

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Katie Leiva, left, is Velma Kelly, and Trisha Marciel is Roxy Hart in the award-winning Broadway musical "Chicago." Velma and Roxy are tough characters who become embroiled in murder. Both roles are physically and musically demanding with the added challenge of finding sympathy with the audience. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser 'Chicago' A musical by Fred Ebb and John Kander, book by Ebb and Bob Fosse; produced by Diamond Head Theatre 8 p.m. today; repeats at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 13 Diamond Head Theatre $10-$40; discounts for students, seniors and military 733-0274

It's no wonder Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, the one-two punch in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical opening tonight at Diamond Head Theatre, have so much appeal for musical theater actresses.

"I went into auditions thinking I wanted Roxie, but the more I thought about it, I was pleased to get Velma," said Katie Leiva, who just had to play one of the baddies. "They're both tough broads, with Roxie appealing more to the audience, I think, than Velma."

"I really didn't care who I played, so long as I was in the show that showcased female talent," said Tricia Marciel, cast as Roxie. "Interestingly, I think I can relate to her, as disturbing as it may sound. We all have disappointments and regrets, though how she expresses her disappointments — murder — is the polar opposite of my personal character. But I've had Roxie days."

Leiva and Marciel are typical community theater actresses.

Leiva is supervisor for student services at the University of Phoenix. Marciel is marketing and recruitment coordinator for Big Sisters/Big Brothers.

Theater is a passion for both, but mostly an avocation — since you can't pay the rent or mortgage on stage credits. But they had killer

instincts that this was a show, which takes place in the Roaring Twenties, they couldn't pass up.

"Chicago" looms as that rare opportunity for both to strut, sizzle and soar as musical actors. Velma and Roxie are not mere murderesses — they love the spotlight and compete for headlines and are popular among the populace.

In its warped ways, "Chicago" is about camaraderie, about bonding, about manipulation.

"From the minute I step out and start singing 'All That Jazz,' I believe Velma is establishing toughness and sass and having some command of what's around her," said Leiva. "But the defining moment for Velma comes when she realizes Roxie's stealing the publicity; we get to see Velma's heart when she convinces Roxie to do a sister act, knowing some things she can't do it alone."

"My challenge with Roxie is that of the two, she's a little more despicable; Velma kills her husband in a compromising situation; she was hurt," said Marciel. "Roxie is just bitter, and lashes out because of this bitterness. Making her despicable, yet trying to have the audience warm up to her, is really the challenge. She's very complex one minute, tough the next, and finding that common ground and keeping it consistent is the trick."

Leiva has fond memories of "Chicago," since it was the first show she worked on while in high school in North Carolina.

"I was a techie in a summer program for kids, and I helped with lights, but I knew I wanted to do this show someday," she said. "And having seen it on Broadway, there's a level of professionalism I'm striving for, but I have to remember it's not real life; it's a place where people break into song and dance at random."

Marciel's link with the show is the earlier touring company she saw at Blaisdell Concert Hall. "I'm always looking for something that's a little different, always challenging myself," she said.

"This role has been a diversion from anything I've ever done theatrically. The singing is no problem, but the dancing. ... Andrew (Sakaguchi, the director-choreographer) has been phenomenal. Katie and I have a big height difference and in one sequence, we have to remain tight and together, yet keep an even spacing; her legs are much longer than mine, so we have this job mirroring each other despite the differences."

"Oh, the dancing is physically demanding, so I know this show will be the most rewarding one I've done, as a result," said Leiva. "I have confidence in singing, but I've been going to dance classes. The dances (originally choreographed in his landmark style) by Bob Fosse have a distinctive style, great to look at, but not that easy to pull off."

Leiva won a Po'okela Award for her last stage outing, "Song of Singapore."

"As one of my friends said, doing theater means you have an instant social life," said Leiva. "I have met some fabulous folks from all walks, who share this job of singing, dancing and performing. It's all about telling a story and being a part of it; I find joy in that. Music brings me sanity; music can tell a story itself, but put it together with dance, lights and color, it becomes richer, kind of a 3-D thing, more than mere notes on a page."

"Really, even if it's a musical with great tunes and great production numbers, you have to dig deep to find someone you can relate to," said Marciel. "The job for the actor is to know you're dealing with a person so far removed from who you are, to create a rush that just doesn't exist anywhere else."

Despite the frustrations, Leiva likes to be pushed, and said that Sakaguchi has done just that early on in the rehearsal process. "When he gave me one of my first (dance) moves, I felt, 'Oh, God, this is hard.' But I felt better to be so challenged; it would be wrong for him to change it just because I'm one of the stars, to make it easier. I have learned that I can expect more of myself and still achieve what they want from me; I can't say I didn't know I had it in me or not, but I can say that I've learned that I can be pushed to do something well."

"Fosse goes against the grain of what your body tells you to do, but his (style) shapes the show," said Marciel. "I feel a lot of people are familiar with this show now and have great expectations, so there's real pressure to stay true to the spirit of the show. As for being a killer in this show, after the first time, it gets a little more comfortable."