Unveiling the A-List Celebrities Who Set Broadway Afire in 'Chicago'

Erika Jayne made a transition from Beverly Hills to Chicago as she announced in September 2019 that she would be starring in the Broadway production of Chicago in New York City. Taking on the lead role of Roxie Hart, a woman facing trial for her husband's murder, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star shared her excitement on Instagram. The highly anticipated run was scheduled from January 6 to March 29, 2020.

"BROADWAY. ROXIE HART. JAN 6." she wrote alongside a Chicago poster featuring her dressed in a leopard-print suit.

However, just two months into her captivating performance, the singer's Broadway journey abruptly came to a halt as the COVID-19 shutdown compelled her to conclude her run prematurely.

In March 2020, Jayne expressed her farewell to Roxie and her Chicago family through an Instagram post. She expressed her gratitude to all those who attended the shows, acknowledging that although she leaves NYC with a sense of unfinished mission, she will always cherish this time.

Chicago has seen its fair share of celebrities and Bravolebrities making their Broadway debut, and Jayne joins the ranks of stars such as Mel B from the Spice Girls and model Christie Brinkley. The musical is based on Maurine Dallas Watkins' 1926 play of the same name, which drew inspiration from the journalist's coverage of various murder cases. The story revolves around Roxie's legal troubles, from her arrest to her trial, and serves as a satirical take on the notion of a "celebrity criminal."

In 1975, Chicago made its debut on Broadway, receiving nominations for multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical for Bob Fosse. The production enjoyed a successful two-year run. A revival of Chicago took place in 1996, garnering six Tony Awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical and Outstanding Choreography. This revival holds the distinction of being the second longest-running musical revival in Broadway history, after The Phantom of the Opera.

In 2002, the musical was adapted into a movie with the same title, featuring renowned actresses Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The film achieved critical acclaim, earning six Oscars at the 75th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Zeta-Jones, who portrayed Velma Kelly, a showgirl arrested for the murder of her husband and sister and later becoming a mentor to Roxie.

Scroll through for more celebrities who have starred in the Broadway production of Chicago:

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From Ashlee Simpson to Erika Jayne, These Celebs Have Starred in ‘Chicago’ on Broadway

Erika Jayne made a transition from Beverly Hills to Chicago.

In September 2019, the renowned star of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills took to Instagram to announce her upcoming role in the Broadway production of Chicago. From January 6 to March 29, 2020, she graced the stage in New York City. The talented Bravo personality secured the coveted role of Roxie Hart, the lead character in the musical. Roxie Hart is a woman facing trial for the alleged murder of her husband.

"Captioning a Chicago poster of herself in a striking leopard-print suit, she announced her presence on Broadway as Roxie Hart on January 6th."

Jayne expressed her disappointment in having to bid farewell to Roxie and her Chicago family in a less-than-ideal manner. In a heartfelt Instagram post in March 2020, she thanked everyone who attended the shows and conveyed her feelings of incompleteness as she left NYC. Despite this, Jayne stated that she will always cherish the time she spent on Broadway.

It is worth noting that Jayne is not the only celebrity, or even Bravolebrity, to have made her Broadway debut in Chicago. Notable figures such as Mel B from the Spice Girls and model Christie Brinkley have also graced the stage in this musical. Chicago is based on journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins' play from 1926, which was inspired by the murder cases she covered. The story revolves around Roxie's legal troubles, starting from her arrest to her trial, and is known for satirizing the notion of a "celebrity criminal."

Chicago made its Broadway debut in 1975 and received numerous Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical for Bob Fosse. It enjoyed a successful two-year run before being revived in 1996, winning six Tonys for Outstanding Revival of a Musical and Outstanding Choreography. This revival holds the distinction of being the second longest-running musical revival in Broadway history, just behind The Phantom of the Opera.

In 2002, Chicago was adapted into a film of the same title, starring Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The movie garnered significant acclaim, securing six Oscars at the 75th Academy Awards. It won in categories such as Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Zeta-Jones, who portrayed Velma Kelly, a showgirl arrested for the murders of her husband and sister. Throughout the story, Velma becomes a mentor of sorts to Roxie.

Scroll through for more celebrities who have starred in the Broadway production of Chicago:

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Olivia Holt

The Cruel Summer alum made her Broadway debut in April 2023, playing Roxie Hart in Chicago. Her run concluded two months later.

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Pamela Anderson

The Baywatch alum will take on the lead role from April 2022 to June 2022.

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Erika Jayne

The Bravolebrity announced in September 2019 that she will star as Roxie Hart in Broadway’s production of Chicago for three months in 2020. 

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Christie Brinkley

The supermodel first graced the Broadway stage in 2010, taking on the iconic role of Roxie in Chicago. Her exceptional performance led to her reprising the character during two stops on the Chicago national tour in 2019. In April of the same year, she triumphantly returned to Broadway to once again bring Roxie to life.

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Kandi Burruss

In 2018, the acclaimed reality TV personality from The Real Housewives of Atlanta took center stage in Chicago for a remarkable three-month run. Making her highly anticipated Broadway debut, she flawlessly portrayed the role of Matron “Mama” Morton, a nurturing figure within the women's section of the Cook County jail. This is the same character that was famously portrayed by Queen Latifah in the beloved Chicago movie adaptation.

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Mel B

Melanie Brown, also known as Mel B, showcased her talents as a member of the iconic girl group, the Spice Girls. However, she has proven her versatility as a performer beyond the realm of pop music. In 2016 and 2017, she took on the role of Roxie in the renowned musical Chicago. This was not her first foray into the world of theater, as she made her Broadway debut in 2004 as Mimi in Rent. As a testament to her connection with her Spice Girls roots, during her final performance in Chicago in February 2017, Mel B delighted the audience by incorporating a line from the group's hit song "Wannabe" into one of Roxie's songs.

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Rumer Willis

The role of Roxie in Chicago was also portrayed by Demi Moore and Bruce Willis' eldest daughter. In 2015, the Dancing With the Stars alum made her Broadway debut by performing as the character for a period of six weeks.

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NeNe Leakes 

Leakes, known for her role in The New Normal, made history as the first cast member from RHOA to grace the Broadway stage in the acclaimed production of Chicago. In 2015, she captivated audiences with her portrayal of Matron "Mama" Morton, a role that her RHOA co-star Burruss would later take on three years later. Prior to this, Leakes made her Broadway debut in 2014, dazzling audiences as the wicked stepmother in Cinderella.

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Ashlee Simpson

In 2009, the talented singer, known for her hit song "Pieces of Me," made her debut on Broadway as Roxie in the musical Chicago. Prior to that, she had already showcased her talent in the London West End production of the same musical in 2005.

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Billy Ray Cyrus

In 2012, the renowned singer of "Achy Breaky Heart" took on the role of lawyer Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago. Portraying Roxie's defense attorney, he skillfully won the case for both Roxie and Velma. This marked the country star's debut performance on Broadway.

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Sofia Vergara

In 2009, the Modern Family star made her Broadway debut as Matron “Mama” Morton in Chicago. She performed in the musical for five weeks. 

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Lisa Rinna

Before Jayne's announcement on RHOBH, the former Days of Our Lives actress had already graced the stage as Roxie in Chicago. This was 12 years ago, back in 2007, when she showcased her talent in the musical for a two-month run. Interestingly, her husband, Harry Hamlin, joined her in the production, portraying the character of Billy Flynn.