A man who knows all about heat is bringing it from Broadway next week. The perpetually suntanned George Hamilton has suited back up in the role of Billy Flynn for the national tour of "Chicago," which opens Sept. 4 at the San Diego Civic Theatre.

The art-imitates-life world of Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart landed the actor at downtown San Diego's Westgate Hotel one day last week. Despite professing that it was a fabulous day, the 68-year-old Hamilton said one joy was absent. "The only thing I miss is that I won't be able to get in the sun today."

"Chicago" kicks off its tour in San Diego, and its star reported that he learned something from his participation in the second season of "Dancing With the Stars."

"I told producers 'please give me a month.' It's been six years since doing the show," Hamilton said, referring to his last stint as Billy Flynn in the Broadway production of "Chicago" in 2001. While rehearsing for the Broadway show, Hamilton injured his knee and it never really healed until ABC asked him to co-star on the popular reality dancing series.

"On 'Dancing With the Stars' I had a month to get ready for that show, and my knee got very strong. What I found, by giving me the month lead time, I'm able to do more," Hamilton said. "You can't just turn around and be into it. That's what got me into trouble the first time was to only have two weeks to get ready."

Hamilton, six years removed from his Broadway debut, admits the Civic Theatre holds its own daunting power. "There's 2,600 people in that theater. By that time I won't be afraid of anything going back to Broadway."

In November, the revival production of "Chicago" marks its 11th anniversary. As the production illuminates theaters from Japan to Italy, Hamilton believes the musical's long-lasting appeal comes from its cultural commentary (about America's flawed justice system) by its creators John Kander and Fred Ebb and choreographer Bob Fosse.

"Kander, Ebb and Fosse were amazing in themselves," Hamilton said.

Although "Chicago" is now an international smash (thanks, in part, to an Oscar-winning film adaptation five years ago), it was not a success when it debuted in 1975. Critics and audiences felt its cynical, pessimistic message (that crime pays) was out of step with the post-Watergate times. But the musical was trimmed down and revamped into a vaudeville-style show in the early 1990s, and the revival edition has been a hit ever since.

"It's so fast-paced. There's nothing laborious or long in it. The band is onstage and it's a combination of what theater was all about from vaudeville -- it's set up in punches," Hamilton said.

The updated Fosse choreography by Ann Reinking and direction by Walter Bobbie has created not only flash but substance, Hamilton continued.

"There's a universal storyline underneath it. Flashy characters, two murderesses and an enormous engagement with fame and fortune, and finding out how fickle it is. It's Broadway at its best."

A product of the old Hollywood studio system, Hamilton was signed by MGM at the age of 17 and has appeared in more than 100 films. If anybody asks, he grew up in Florida by the beach, and that explains his affinity for sunlight. That persona took on an ironic comic twist in the 1979 film "Love at First Bite." Hamilton's willingness to portray a campy Dracula, and to don a tuxedo and dance on live television illustrates the mantra that has kept him in the public eye for more than five decades.

"'Dancing With the Stars' seemed like a fun idea, but it was like the Bataan death march," he said and laughed. "I'd shoot myself in the foot. I'd do anything to get off that show, but what happens is you realize -- this is a generation where if they don't know you, you're out of date within two years. Cary Grant once told me, if you don't make a movie every three years, people won't know you. Now it's gotten worse."

After launching the "Chicago" tour, Hamilton will return to the Broadway production in December.

"Every three years I put something in my way that's really hard for me to do," Hamilton said. Returning to Flynn after six years with his dancing skills improved has him treasuring the task. "It's a landmark in the theater."

After this latest razzle-dazzle run ends, would Hamilton return to the Broadway stage again?

"I want to come back and play Amos (Hart)," he said. "I have this strange feeling I could pull it off. The thing about it is it is a challenge. That's the hard part for an actor."

Hamilton oozes classic Hollywood charm and weaves tales that had a room full of reporters falling over in laughter. What keeps him so young?

"I really think it's how I think," he said as he leaned forward. "If you take yourself seriously in your life, it's really a car without shock absorbers, boring and laborious, and I don't do that."

"Chicago"

When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 and Sept. 6; 7 p.m. Sept. 5; 8 p.m. Sept. 7; 2 and 8 p.m. Sept. 8; 1 and 6 p.m. Sept. 9

Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, Third Avenue at B Street, San Diego

Tickets: $19-$75

Info: (619) 570-1100

Web: www.broadwaysd.com