Jennifer Holliday to play Mama Morton in ‘Chicago’
The Tony-winning actress will return to the show for eight weeks.
When you're good to Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Holliday's good to you. The Tony and Grammy-winning actress will reprise the role of Matron Mama Morton in Chicago on Broadway. Chicago is at the Ambassador Theatre. Get Chicago tickets on New York Theatre Guide.
Holliday will star in Chicago for eight weeks from June 9 - July 31. She first played the role for a limited engagement in summer 2001.
Holliday is best known for portraying Effie White in Dreamgirls on Broadway, notably singing "And I am Telling You, I'm Not Going" and winning a Tony for Best Actress in a Musical. In 2016, Holliday played Shug Avery in The Color Purple on Broadway. To date, Holliday has released seven albums and enjoyed five top 10 singles.
The Chicago cast alongside Holliday includes Emma Pittman as Roxie Hart, playing the role from June 6 - 19. Lana Gordon plays Velma Kelly, with Ryan Silverman as Billy Flynn, Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart and Ryan Lowe as Mary Sunshine.
Chicago centers on Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two vaudeville performers-turned-murderesses in 1920s Chicago. While in jail, they compete for the attention of the sensational press and a slick lawyer in the hopes of becoming celebrities and getting off scot-free.
Chicago features a book by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb, with music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb. Walter Bobbie directs Chicago, and the production features choreography by Ann Reinking, set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer.
Chicago is at the Ambassador Theatre.
Get Chicago tickets on New York Theatre Guide.
Photo credit: Jennifer Holliday (Photo courtesy of production)
Frequently asked questions
What is Chicago about?
See why this second-longest-running Broadway show has razzle-dazzled so many audiences. A scorching satire of celebrity culture with classic Kander and Ebb tunes, Chicago shows how two ladies use showbiz pizzazz to get away with murder. Get tickets to witness the criminally fun revival that won six Tony Awards.
Where is Chicago playing?
Chicago is playing at Ambassador Theatre. The theatre is located at 219 West 49th Street, New York, 10019.
How long is Chicago?
The running time of Chicago is 2hr 30min. Incl. 15min intermission.
What's the age requirement for Chicago?
The recommended age for Chicago is Ages 13+. Children under 4 are not permitted..
How do you book tickets for Chicago?
Book tickets for Chicago on New York Theatre Guide.
Who wrote the Chicago musical?
The music for Chicago is written by composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb. Ebb also co-wrote the show's script with Bob Fosse. They adapted the musical from a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, also titled Chicago.
What songs are in Chicago on Broadway?
The songs for Chicago, written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, include "Cell Block Tango," "All That Jazz," "Razzle Dazzle," "Roxie," and "We Both Reached for the Gun." Learn about all the songs in Chicago on Broadway.
Is Chicago on Broadway appropriate for kids?
Chicago is not recommended for young children; the age recommendation is 13 and up due to its themes of murder, sex, crime, and adultery. Please note that children 4 and younger are not permitted in Broadway theatres.
When did Chicago open on Broadway?
The current production of Chicago opened in 1996. It was the musical's first revival following its 1996 premiere. Chicago is now the second-longest-running show and longest-running revival in Broadway history.
Who directed Chicago on Broadway?
Walter Bobbie directs the current production of the Chicago musical. He has worked on Broadway as a writer, director, and performer since 1971, and he's also known for staging musicals like Sweet Charity, Footloose, and Bright Star.
Is Chicago on Broadway good?
New York Theatre Guide's 20th-anniversary review of Chicago calls the show "a living, breathing piece of musical theatre history, which rightfully remains at the Ambassador Theatre and reminds us that all you need is class and, of course, all that jazz," rating it five stars. Chicago is now more than 25 years old, proving the lasting appeal of its story, songs, and talent.
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