Jennifer Nettles is Broadway's next Roxy Hart
It has been reported that Grammy award winning country music singer Jennifer Nettles will be Broadway's next Roxy Hart as she begins performances in Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre 2 February 2015 to 29 March 2015.
Speaking on 'The Today Show' this morning, Nettles revealed that she has always dreamed of starring on the Great White Way, and that she is "beyond excited" to star in the iconic musical.
Nettles formed the band 'Sugarland' in 2003 alongside Kristian Bush and Kristen Hall, and was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy Award in 2006. After Hall left the group, the two took home two Grammys in 2009 for their single "Stay". As a solo artist Nettles also received a Grammy for her collaboration with Bon Jovi, and earlier this year released her first solo album, 'That Girl'. This will mark her Broadway debut.
She will take over the role of Roxy Hart in the Tony Award winning revival, which has recently become the second longest running musical on Broadway. The current cast includes Amra-Fay Wright as Velma Kelly, R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine, Paul C. Vogt as Amos Hart and NaTasha Yvette Williams as Matron Mama Morton.
Chicago is 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.
The musical tells a story of "Murder, Greed, Violence, Exploitation, Adultery and Treachery", as it follows 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'.
Chicago 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 to 4 January 2015.
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