Chicago actress embraces the spirit, lessons of 'Fancy Nancy'

For Chicago actress Katrina Kiss, the most rewarding part about performing in this summer's production of "Fancy Nancy The Musical" is not during the show, but after.

"I would have to say meeting the audience members after the show is one of my favorite experiences," said Kiss, who plays Nancy. "Most of the audience is young girls, and they come dressed up with boas and long dresses on. They really do think I am Fancy Nancy. Some of them are kind of shy and unsure, and some are full of joy. I feel very grateful to be able to do this because they look up to this character."

Broadway in Chicago and the Emerald City Theatre are presenting "Fancy Nancy" at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place through Aug. 23. The show has appeared in the past at stages like the Apollo Theater in Chicago.

The musical is adapted from the children's book series written by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. The show is specifically based off the book "Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet."

"There is a lot of dancing and the costumes are colorful," Kiss said. "The props are big and touching. It's more of a spectacle show, and I think this really draws the audience in. The book's illustrations are very beautiful, so the show's design team is trying to capture this as much as possible."

The musical follows Nancy, a girl who believes that the world is better when it's more fancy, as she prepares for her first dance recital. Instead of receiving the role of the prima ballerina, Nancy is stuck as a tree. Yet, she makes the best of her circumstance and ends up adding her own flair to the role.

"This show is trying to get across the lesson of being a good friend and using your manners," Kiss said. "The overall theme is that sometimes you may get what you want and sometimes you don't, but you can make the best of this situation regardless."

Emerald City Theatre created "Fancy Nancy" for audience members ages 3 and older. Even though it's accessible to younger audiences, the musical is directed toward viewers of all ages.

"These stories are stories that parents are often reading to their kids before bed," Kiss said. "These parents know these characters as well. The joy for adults coming to the show is in seeing their kids excited and there's something magical about that."

The musical contains lessons that viewers of any age can appreciate.

"Nancy tries to get across the idea that you can have all of these beautiful boas and tiaras and you can play dress up all the time," Kiss said, "but being fancy comes more from the inside."