From tawdry love affairs to cold-blooded murder, audiences at Stephens Auditorium will be razzle dazzled by the hit musical “Chicago” Friday.

“We’ve sold quite well for this show,” said Sara Huber, advertising and promotions coordinator for the Iowa State Center. “`Chicago’ is definitely an edgy show that is erotic and stylish. It is a must see performance.”

Huber said “Chicago” was chosen to be a part of the season at Stephens because it is “a musical we thought would have mass appeal, especially for ISU students.”

“Troika Entertainment has a reputation for quality presentations that we like to bring to our audiences,” Huber said.

“Chicago” is based on the 1926 play of the same name written by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins. Watkins based the play on actual events that she wrote about in her columns in the mid-1920s.

“This musical is sort of like a soap opera,” Huber said. “It includes murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation and treachery. All core elements for the making of a sultry performance. Chicago’s plot will keep you on the edge of your seat.”

“Chicago” tells the story of Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart. Kelly has killed both her sister and husband after finding them together in bed, and Hart committed murder based on the act of love after her lover, Fred Casely, tried to leave her.

The two end up as cellmates, dueling for top billing, brownnosing their way through the judicial system and eating up the publicity that comes with being the “bad girls” in town.

Eventually the two end up performing together for the few fans they have managed to keep throughout the lusciously intricate and intriguing story.

Maria Tsiolis, assistant marketing director for Troika Entertainment, said that the dark comedy of “Chicago” makes it appealing to audiences.

“It’s a funny show,” Tsiolis said. “Very jazzy and sensual.”

“Chicago” has been met with mixed reactions since its beginnings as a musical on Chicago’s premiere 46th Street Theatre in 1975. Critics were harsh on the show and audience members felt it was “harsh.”

When the show was revived by director Walter Bobbie in 1995 things began to look up for “Chicago.” In 1997, Bobbie’s production of “Chicago” won a slew of prestigious awards-including six Tony Awards.

Tsiolis also said that this production is very true to the initial run of “Chicago.”

“We’re using all of the original choreography, costumes . everything,” Tsiolis said.

Morgan McChurch, sophomore in pre-business, has been eagerly waiting for the one-time performance of “Chicago” at ISU.

“I basically know nothing about the show,” McChurch said. “I heard a song from the show that I thought was funny – something about a whole bunch of women killing their husbands. The time period also appealed to me.”

McChurch, who says he’s “been hooked” on musicals since he saw “Annie Get Your Gun” in the third grade, admires the hard work the actors and technical crew put into a show such as “Chicago.”

“I have a lot of respect for a person who can sing, dance and communicate a character at the same time,” McChurch said.

Tickets are available from all TicketMaster locations and from the Iowa State Center Ticket Office. Tickets are $36, $30 and $20 for adults. ISU students and theater patrons under 18 may purchase tickets for $18, $15, and $10. A $2 discount is available for groups of 10 or more.