"Chicago" features a cast of larger-than-life, colorful characters who delight in their debauchery.
But two characters who are more saint than sinner include a Hungarian woman by the name of Hunyak and Roxie Hart's downtrodden husband, Amos, played in the Dark Horse Company Theatre production by Weber State University graduate Andrew Nadon.
"They are probably the only two characters in the show who have any redeeming qualities whatsoever," said Daniel Simons, co-owner/producer of the theater company. "But the rest of them are so much fun to watch that you can't help but have a good time."
The innocent Hunyak is falsely imprisoned with the other merry murderesses in Chicago's Cook County Jail. Things don't end well for Hunyak when she is convicted and executed. Although things don't end as tragically for Amos, his story is still rather sad. One of the most poignant moments in the musical comes when Amos sings the understated "Mr. Cellophane."
"He's so sweet, he will break your heart," said director Anne Stewart Mark.
WSU audiences may remember Nadon as Mr. Smee in the university's production of "Peter Pan." Nadon also played Annas, one of the evil pharisees in last December's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Park City theater.
Nadon sees Amos as an Everyman who simply wants to love Roxie and can't believe he is married to such a glamorous, beautiful woman. However, nice guys finish last, particularly if they're not too smart.
"He is a schlub," Nadon said. "He's not intelligent or smart ... and he doesn't have the tools to fight off what comes his way and take a stance for himself."
In the end, Amos' story is never resolved, and he fades quietly into the background.
"He's left alone and is just a very tragic little character," Nadon said. "He does everything right and he doesn't get anything he wants. I think that's what the writers Kander and Ebb were trying to say, that if you are the person that does the right thing all the time, you will not succeed."
Nadon said he is grateful to be playing the part, which he said is a "dream role."
"I can't even believe the caliber of talent in the cast, it's really just a such a blessing and it's going to be wonderful," Nadon said.
Other WSU students and alum in the cast of 19 include William Richardson, Ginger Bess, Marc Nielson, Elise Groves, Liz Corona, Stephanie Jameson, Seth Barney, Marc Nielson and Gamyr Worf.