If you enjoyed Chicago in 2007 your hearts will skip a beat when CQUniversity's Bachelor of Performing Arts students present their foot-tapping, all-singing and all dancing production of the Tony Award-winning musical Sweet Charity at Rockhampton's Pilbeam Theatre next week.

The cast of Sweet Charity rehearse for their debut performance next week.Professional industry mentors Wayne Scott Kermond and Katie Kermond once again join with the student company to stage this popular story of Dance Hall Hostess, eternal optimist, and unlucky romantic, Charity Hope Valentine (played by Jenna Saini).

With not much more than her shoulder bag and a heart tattooed on her arm, Charity always gives her heart and her dreams to the wrong man.

Sweet Charity is renowned for its snappy Neil Simon dialogue and dynamic choreography to the show's ‘huge' musical numbers - "Big Spender", "Rhythm of Life," and "If They Could See Me Now".

Bursting onto the Broadway stage in 1966 and starring Gwen Verdon, Sweet Charity broke new musical theatre ground with its brassy drama and stylised dance routines.

The rhythm and sounds of New York were captured by Bob Fosse's direction and choreography combined with the witty script of Neil Simon, and a host of hit songs created by Cy Coleman.

It was no great surprise when Sweet Charity went on to be nominated for 12 Tony awards with Fosse taking home the coveted Best Choreography award. Tony, Theatre World and Drama Desk awards again came through for Sweet Charity when it was revived on Broadway in 1986 and again in 2005.

The 2008 CQUniversity production features performers already well-known to Rockhampton audiences together with some new faces.

Charity shares her 1960s world of dance halls and Times Square with Oscar Lindquist (Justin Sharrock), Helene (Stephanie Bacon), Nickie (Meegan Fox) Herman (Dean Sorensen), Vittoria Vidal (Nicholas Arnold), Ursula March (Alexis Coward), and Daddy Brubeck (also played by Dean Sorensen in his first dual role). Cherry Greer, Tamara Poole, Jenna Mears, Shelly Carew, Courtney Rice, and Julie Gorman are unforgettable as the beautiful Fandango Hostesses. The male ensemble features Lincoln Tapsell and Michael Donnellan.

The Pilbeam Theatre will be transformed into Charity's dance hall next week, with performances at 7.30pm Friday and Saturday (October 10 and 11) and a 2pm matinee performance on Saturday (October 11).

Admission prices for these performances are adults $30, pensioners $25 and juniors $10.  There is a special family discount of $70 for 2 adults and 2 children and groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets at a price of $20/ticket.

Let Sweet Charity give you the rhythm of life and come see us now by contacting the Pilbeam Theatre (Dial'n'Charge 49 274111 or online at http://www.pilbeamtheatre.com.au/.)