Bianca Marroquín Returns to Broadway's Chicago March 13

Chicago veteran Bianca Marroquín returns to the Broadway production of the Tony-winning revival March 13 at the Ambassador Theatre.

Marroquín once again steps into the role of merry murderess Velma Kelly, succeeding Lana Gordon. She is scheduled to stay with the production through April 9.

Marroquín has played Roxie Hart in the Broadway company of Chicago more than 4,000 times over the past 20 years. She first performed the role of Roxie in 2002 in Mexico City’s Spanish-language production. She was later invited to join the Broadway company, where she made history as the first Mexican woman in a leading role on Broadway. For Broadway’s return in 2021, she made her debut in the role of Velma Kelly, joining a short list of women who have both played Roxie and Velma in the show: Chita Rivera, Bebe Neuwirth, and Ruthie Henshall.

The current cast of Chicago also features Charlotte d’Amboise as Roxie Hart, James T. Lane as Billy Flynn, Jinkx Monsoon as Matron “Mama” Morton, Evan Harrington as Amos Hart, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine. The ensemble includes David Bushman, Christine Cornish, Jennifer Dunne, Jessica Ernest, Jeff Gorti, Arian Keddell, Mary Claire King, Marty Lawson, Joseph London, Barrett Martin, Sharon Moore, Drew Nellessen, Celina Nightengale, Brian O'Brien, Denny Paschall, Jermaine R. Rembert, Rachel Schur, and Michael Scirrotto.

The revival of Chicago began life as one of the three annual Encores! presentations offered by City Center. The musical opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in November 14, 1996, where it remained through February 1997. The musical transferred to the Shubert Theatre, and played that house through January 26, 2003. The revival reopened at the Ambassador Theatre January 29 that year.

Since its debut in 1996, Chicago has played in 36 countries and been seen by 33 million people worldwide. It is now the second-longest running show in Broadway history (after The Phantom of the Opera).

READ: How the Chicago Costumes Have Evolved Over 25 Years

With a book by the late Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Ebb, Chicago features direction by Walter Bobbie, choreography by the late Ann Reinking, set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Scott Lehrer, and casting by Stewart/Whitley.

The current production, produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997 as well as awards for actors Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, director Bobbie, lighting designer Billington, and Reinking. The original production was directed and choreographed by the late Fosse.