Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - On Jan. 25, University of Wisconsin-Platteville sophomore Kelsey Klug will leave Platteville to perform in a concert with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, in Philadelphia, entitled Broadway Showstoppers. Klug will perform with five Broadway stars including Tony Award winner Sutton Foster, Donna McKechnie, William Michals, Matt Bogart, and Dee Hoty. With two days of rigorous rehearsals, the show features scenes from Broadway's most popular musicals including "West Side Story," "South Pacific," and "A Chorus Line."

As a soprano member of Kids from Wisconsin Klug has experience performing for sold out crowds. The auditioned group of 20 male and female singers/dancers and a band of 13 members perform daily during the state fair's 11-day run each summer in Milwaukee. The "Kids" also perform at county fairs, festivals, and conventions throughout the state for a total of 70 shows during June, July, and August. Klug was selected to perform in Philadelphia through an audition process where Steven Haines, a former "Kid", chose one male, one female, and one band member to participate in Broadway Showstoppers.

Aside from "Kids" stage experience isn't new for Klug who has played a myriad of characters including Kim MacAfee in "Bye, Bye Birdie," Cinderella in "Cinderella," and last year Sandy in the annual UWP musical, "Grease." Aside from production numbers, she is also a member of the UWP Chamber Choir and women's choir, Coro d'Angeli.

"This is a huge honor. It's an opportunity for her to perform with professionals who are at the top of their field," commented UWP Music Professor Bob Demaree. Added Klug, "I'm incredibly excited and honored to have been selected for this event. It's another step toward the dreams I've always wanted."

Klug is a music education major with a double emphasis in piano and voice. She is the daughter of Al and Janet Klug from Sun Prairie.