It might seem like an unusual pairing, but Kean Theatre director Tom Madden says the marriage of Broadway and Las Vegas is one of the longest and most successful around.
"Look at 'The Lady is a Tramp,' " he said, referring to the Frank Sinatra tune that has become a Vegas standard. "Many people don't know it's really from Rodgers' and Hart's musical, 'Babes in Arms.' "
With the Broadway-Vegas connection as inspiration, Mr. Madden has put together a Vegas-style musical revue for one performance only on Saturday.
Audiences can expect "a mix of Vegas and Broadway, with a lot of Bob Fosse choreography," he said, adding that the show includes 19 song and dance numbers performed by a seven-member cast.
Mr. Madden wants some of the numbers to be a surprise, but he said they included songs popularized by Johnny Mathis, Paul Anka, Bobby Darin and Sinatra.
The four dancers -- Cecily Sunday, Kelly Scanlon, Morgan Voltz and Kean Theatre choreographer Shawna Sunday -- will wear "full Vegas regalia," said Mr. Madden, with outfits costing up to $2,500 each.
Kean Theatre regular Ricardo Vila-Roger is one of the singers, along with Natalie Schaefer and Sarah Marince, both of whom competed together in "Kean Idol" program in 2006.
Ms. Schaefer, 18, was a Kean Idol finalist in 2005 and 2006 and sings in the All-Star College Choir for Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she is a freshman.
Audiences may have heard of 17-year-old Sarah, a high school senior at Lincoln Park Performing Arts, because she has performed the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins, and she released a CD in January that has been played on country radio stations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. She also has opened for touring country stars such as Trisha Yearwood and Lonestar.
Despite her country credits, Sarah said "Viva Broadway" is right up her alley.
"Broadway is very close to my heart," she said, noting that she is studying musical theater.
Mr. Vila-Roger said that in his many years on stage, this is his first time in a musical revue. "I'm used to having a character to play," he said, but added he was enjoying his role as master of ceremonies in the production.
"A lot of this show is about audience interaction," he said. "And it's my job to put it out there and say to them, 'Come on in.' "
Mr. Madden said the show's goal is to have audiences enjoy classic tunes from a new perspective.
"I want people to hear a song and say, 'I didn't realize that came from Broadway,' " he said.
"Viva Broadway" will be performed at 8 p.m. Saturday at Kean Theatre, The Washington Place at St. Barnabas, 5847 Meridian Road, Richland. Tickets are $29; $35 for director's circle. An optional dinner is available at 6 p.m. for an additional $18. For information, call 724-444-5326 or visit keantheatre.com.