'RuPaul's Drag Race' winner Jinkx Monsoon to join 'Chicago' on Broadway
She will perform for an eight-week engagement.
UPDATE: Chicago has set additional casting, with James T. Lane also joining the cast on January 16 as Billy Flynn.
When you're good to Monsoon, Monsoon's good to you! Two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon will make her Broadway debut in Chicago this winter. She will take on the role of Matron "Mama" Morton for eight weeks, from January 16 through March 12.
"“To be making my Broadway debut, as my favorite role, in one of my favorite shows— that lifelong dream is coming true and then some," Monsoon said. "The first number I performed in drag was 'All That Jazz,' so this feels almost too serendipitous."
Monsoon becomes the first drag queen to play the role of Mama. She previously made history as the only queen to win RuPaul's Drag Race twice, during regular season 5 and All-Stars season 7, earning the title "Queen of All Queens."
She is also known for sketch comedy series Sketchy Queens, her podcast Hi, Jinkx, her EP The Virgo Odyssey: Prologue, and for performing on tour internationally.
Chicago follows vaudeville performers-turned-murderesses Roxie and Velma as they fight for the attention of a skilled lawyer, and the sensational press, in the hopes of getting acquitted and becoming overnight celebrities. The musical, at the Ambassador Theatre, is Broadway's second-longest-running show of all time.
Who is in the Chicago Broadway cast?
Jinkx Monsoon joins the Chicago musical cast as Matron "Mama" Morton on January 16.
The current Chicago cast includes Charlotte d’Amboise as Roxie Hart, Lana Gordon as Velma Kelly, Ryan Silverman as Billy Flynn, Charity Angél Dawson as Matron “Mama” Morton, Isaac Mizrahi as Amos Hart, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.
Get Chicago tickets now.
Photo credit: Jinkx Monsoon. (Photo by José Alberto Guzmán Colón)
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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