The Broadway production of Saturday Night Fever wowed audiencemembers Monday night at Emens.
The cast included former student Ryan Overberg. He was involvedin the theatre department and University Singers from 1999 to2001.
Overberg auditioned in New York City three weeks ago and joinedthe cast mid-tour in Pennsylvania two weeks ago. He is in thechorus and plays the role of Lou. He is also the understudy forfour other parts.
"I think it's an amazing experience," Overberg said. "You get anopportunity to go all around the country and work with reallytalented people. It's a challenge each night because we are in adifferent venue and have to modify our show. It never getsboring."
The show is currently in the midwest part of its yearlongtour.
"The only disadvantage (of being on tour) is that you're awayfrom home, but you have your own family within the cast," he said."Everyone takes care of each other."
Overberg said he was happy with his experience at BallState.
"University Singers is one of the most amazing organizationsI've ever been in. They are very professional and have a great workethic," he said.
One of Overberg's deciding factors to join the tour was its stopat Ball State, where he performed throughout the whole show for thefirst time since he joined the cast.
Jeff Carter, assistant professor of music, worked with Overbergwhile he was in University Singers.
"He was one of the most talented people we had on stage," hesaid. "I distinctly remember him as being a triple threat. He couldsing, dance and act, which is exactly what Broadway is lookingfor."
Senior Rebecca Reichert also has close ties with Overberg. Theybecame friends while they were in University Singers.�
Reichert's best friend from high school, Tony Gonzalez, playsthe lead part of Tony Manero, whom John Travolta made famous in the1977 movie.
Reichert said she saw the opening of "Saturday Night Fever" atthe Harrah Casino in Atlantic City during the summer.
"I thought it was amazing," she said. "The cast is very young,but I think it will be one of the best tours that has come to BallState.�There is nothing bad about the show."
Bob Myers, director of Emens Auditorium and Pruis Hall, has beenactively involved in selecting this performance since August oflast year.
"This was one of the top selections we wanted to present thisseason," he said. "We committed late last fall. It was selected forits broad appeal. People want to remember the 1970s and the discoage," he said.
Myers also said that after negotiating prices, the productioncost between $50,000 and $60,000 to sponsor.
The musical includes songs from the original soundtrack,including "Stayin' Alive," "Night Fever," "If I Can't Have You" and"Jive Talkin'."
Sophomore Sarah Emerick said she enjoyed the musical.
"It just made me want to dance!" she said.
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