NeNe Leakes returns to Chicago as Mama Morton
"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star NeNe Leakes last night began performances on Broadway in Kander & Ebb's musical Chicago for a limited engagement, in the role of Matron Mama Morton at the Ambassador Theatre from 23 November to 20 December 2015.
NeNe Leakes made her Broadway debut in 2014 as the wicked stepmother 'Madame' in Rodger's & Hammerstein's 'Cinderella.' She is best known for her TV appearances on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," "Glee," and "The New Normal."
The current principal cast of Chicago features Amra-Faye Wright (Velma Kelly), Jason Danieley (Billy Flynn), Raymond Bokhour (Amos Hart), NaTasha Yvette Williams (Matron Mama Morton), and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).
Chicago is the second longest-running production currently playing on Broadway, Broadway's longest-running musical revival, as well as the longest-running American show in Broadway history. It has been playing on Broadway since 14 November 1996, and it moved to its current home, the Ambassador Theatre, on the 29 January 2003.
Chicago follows not your usual housewife, Roxie Hart, who gains dubious notoriety when she kills her boyfriend, invents her defence and manipulates everyone from her trustworthy husband to the fickle media and the unsuspecting public. The show features the well known songs, 'All That Jazz,' 'Razzle Dazzle' and 'Mr. Cellophane'.
The musical features a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb, with a book by Bob Fosse & Fred Ebb. The revival production is directed by Walter Bobbie, with choreography by Ann Reinking, scene design by John Lee Beatty, costumes by William Ivey Long, lighting by Ken Billington and sound by Scott Lehrer.
Chicago is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.
The show is currently booking through to 3 July 2016.
Nene Leaks and cast in ChicagoOriginally published on