Ever wished your favorite comic book characters could come to life?

Your wish has now come true, thanks to Marvel Universe LIVE!, a live-action show for all ages featuring more than 25 Marvel characters. The show has been credited as “the most technologically advanced live show ever” and is coming to the DCU Center in late August.

With an original storyline, the show follows well-known Marvel characters such as Spider-Man, Wolverine, the Hulk, Black Widow and Captain America, among many others. The superheroes embark on a quest to find the scattered pieces of the all-powerful Cosmic Cube, which was shattered by Thor to prevent it from falling into the hands of his evil brother Loki. Throughout their journey, these characters must battle countless enemies to win back the Cube’s pieces and save the universe.

Featuring incredible aerial stunts, martial arts and motorcycle tricks, this action-packed show makes intense battles look unbelievably real and promises energizing special effects and pyrotechnics. The show’s 55 performers include professional dancers, bikers and stuntmen.

“It’s all choreographed, so we all know where we’re going constantly, but it honestly looks like controlled chaos. It’s really cool,” said Louise Forsley, a professional dirt bike rider who plays the Black Widow. Forsley, a 27-year-old native of Bernardston, has been riding dirt bikes since she was 7 and, thanks to this show, has been able to turn her lifelong passion into a career.

As the Black Widow, Forsley teams up with Captain America and Falcon to fight Red Skull and Madame Hydra in an intense motorcycle chase scene. She also has a few stage combat scenes, for which she had to learn how to learn how to throw fake punches and kicks, as well as take them.

“It’s very physically demanding,” Forsley explained, adding that she is pretty tired by the end of each show. “I’m very excited to have a physical, but fun, job.” She has also come to enjoy performing for fans and has gotten used to the tight, low-cut leather suit that her character wears, along with the stage makeup and wig. “It’s funny because I grew up kind of tomboy-ish,” she laughed. “[The costume] was so out of my comfort level. I had to get used to wearing a catsuit. I had a lot of hours being taught how to act more feminine, how to walk while moving my hips and my arms, and how to strike a pose with my hip popped out. It took a little while, but now I feel completely comfortable. Because I actually feel like I’m just playing the character; I’m not Louise in this awkward outfit.”

Forsley was at a race when she first heard that there was a stunt show looking for female riders, and she decided to audition because her background was a perfect fit for what show organizers needed. She landed the part in December 2013 and has been part of the show, now in its second year, ever since. Although she has a busy schedule, with shows every week from Thursday through Sunday, Forsley loves getting to travel around the U.S. and Canada. And, she added, she gets better and better with each performance.

Because of its unique combination of well-known superheroes and live-action stunts, the show attracts a mix of different people, Forsley said.

Forsley is looking forward to performing in her home state. “I’ve always been waiting to be closer to home so more of my friends and family can come see the show,” she said.

For Forsley, as for many of the performers, participating in Marvel Universe LIVE! is a dream come true. “It’s pretty cool to say that I work for a stunt show playing the Black Widow.”

Marvel Universe LIVE! is Aug. 27-30 at the DCU Center. Tickets range from $20-$90. For more information, visit marveluniverselive.com.

By Anna Spack