HERSHEY, Pa. — Song, dance and all that jazz visit the Hershey Theatre this weekend as the national tour of "Chicago" visits Dauphin County.
But for one cast member, it's a homecoming dream come true to start the holiday season.
"[It] means the world to me to come back to a stage that taught me how to fill a theatre and perform to the back of the house," said Kodiak Thompson, a cast member of the show and Hershey High School graduate.
Thompson performed at the theatre growing up as part of a local dance academy. Now, for the first time, he visits the stage he grew up on as a professional on a national tour.
"I remember seeing shows with my parents growing up. I would watch every national tour coming through the theatre and say 'Someday, I will do that,'" Thompson said. "And my dad would nudge me and say 'There's a role for you up there. Just wait.'"
Thompson was able to give back to the community upon his return with the tour. Days before Thanksgiving, he led a master class of dance to thirty local young artists.
"High school, dancers, singers and actors [to] sort of pass the torch to them," Thompson explained.
And as that torch is passed, Thompson reflects on the musical theatre icon that brought him here on tour that continues to wow audiences across the country.
"Each time you come back to ["Chicago"], you're entertained by the music, choreography and storytelling," Thompson said. "It's dazzling and captivating, but you see it brought to life in a new way."
Performances of "Chicago" at Hershey Theatre run through November 26. For more information, visit the theatre's website here.