If you think Terra C. MacLeod is sexy in tonight's production of "Chicago" at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, then you should have seen her perform it in French. MacLeod comes to the national touring production after making her Broadway debut in the role of Velma Kelly, a part she originated in the French production in Montreal and Paris.

The French version is sexier than the English one, she confided in a phone interview from a tour stop in West Palm Beach, Fla.

"French is such a sexy language as it is," said the actress, who is from Montreal and is fluent in French and English.

"There's an allure to (the language)," she added. "With the sexy show that ‘Chicago' is, the language makes it even more risque."

But that's not to say the English version is any less dazzling or eye-popping. 

"No, not at all," MacLeod said. "But there's something to be said about singing in Paris and sounding like a typical Parisian. (The performances) had a flair — a jazzy, smoky element to them."

"Chicago" will begin a five-performance run tonight at the Lied. The Kander & Ebb musical is still a hot ticket in and out of New York City.

Winner of six Tony Awards, including best musical revival, "Chicago" is Broadway's longest running revival. It's in its eighth year at the Ambassador Theatre in New York City.

The revival was directed by Walter Bobbie and featured Tony-winning choreography by Ann Reinking in the style of the legendary Bob Fosse.

"Chicago" is the story of two real-life murderesses and the lawyer who turns them into media celebrities.

Gregory Harrison, best known for his seven seasons on the television drama "Trapper John, MD," portrays the lawyer, Billy Flynn, and is the drawing card for the tour.

MacLeod has been a part of the show for almost two years and with the touring company since February 2004.

Her theater credits include "West Side Story" (Anita), "Damn Yankees" (Lola) and  "A Chorus Line" (Cassie). She also has various  film and TV credits, including "The Reagans" on Showtime and USA Network's "The Dead Zone."

MacLeod said she sees a little bit of Velma — the character that  won Bebe Neuwirth a Tony and Catherine-Zeta Jones an Academy Award in the movie version — in herself.

"No, I haven't murdered anybody or committed a crime of passion," she laughed. "But each of these characters are vulnerable and go through all the emotions any human goes through."

And for those who like to compare and contrast, MacLeod said the Academy Award-winning movie is a great companion piece to the musical.

"If anything, it has introduced a lot of people to a show they may never have heard of before," she said.

She said people who have seen both comment on the intimacy of the stage version.

"They feel a part of the story," MacLeod said. "They enjoy the interaction."

 Sets and costumes are minimal for the stage production, and the musicians are on stage with the actors and dancers instead of in the pit. The emphasis, MacLeod said, is placed on storytelling.

"I love a feisty show, and this, by far, is feisty," she said.

MacLeod also is big on the choreography of Reinking, who was a Fosse protege. The Fosse style — jazz hands and all — is one that MacLeod believes will stand the test of time.

"I'm one of the artists who will make sure it does," she said.

Fosse's sexy style translates well on stage — regardless of what language is spoken.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.

If you go

What: "Chicago"

Where: Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 N. 12th St.

When: 7:30 p.m. today, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday

Tickets: $55, $50, $45; student tickets are half price except to the Saturday evening performance; 472-4747