It's been two decades in the making, but Illawarra product Natalie Bassingthwaighte says she's landed her "dream role" in the new production of Chicago.
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The actress, musician, presenter and author will play the role of Roxie Hart in the Australian version of the long-running Broadway musical.
The 43-year-old was audibly excited to be a part of the production.
"It's absolutely my dream role," she said.
"Twenty years ago, I was fortunate enough to be in the ensemble as one of the dancers... And I also got the understudy of Roxie, who I'm now playing.
"During the rehearsal period I did a lift and got a hairline fracture in my rib.
"I was off for six weeks, and I never got to play the role... So it really is a dream come true 20 years later, that I get to live out that dream."
The show also stars Alinta Chidzey as Velma Kelly and Casey Donovan as Matron 'Mama' Morton.
While a long-time fan of the musical, Bassingthwaighte admits she's never seen the hit film version of Chicago, released in 2002 and starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere.
"So I can't really compare," she laughed. "But apparently they're very similar.
"I don't know why I didn't see it in the past, but when I auditioned for the role, I deliberately decided not to watch it.
"Even now, after I got the role, I thought that I didn't want to be influenced by Renée Zellweger. I really wanted to make Roxie my own."
Bassingthwaighte said she'd been offered roles in various productions during recent years, but the timing hadn't been right, largely due to family commitments.
"Now the kids are at school, so it makes it a little easier," she said.
Physical preparation for the part has been demanding, though.
Bassingthwaighte's regime has included dance classes, personal training and other physical activities to ensure her body is up to the rigours of performing eight shows a week.
"Now we're in the rehearsal phase, and it's six days a week, eight hours a day; singing, dancing and acting in heels," she said.
"You tend to get home and have quite a sore body, and sore feet."
Bassingthwaighte, who grew up in the Illawarra and still has family there, expected a healthy turnout of relatives and friends from the region when the show debuts.
"It's such a short run, so I don't think anyone wanted to miss out," she said.
"I'm sure I'll have lots of people there on opening night, that's for sure."
Chicago will be performed at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney from August 20 until mid-October.
Tickets are on-sale via Ticketmaster.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
