Orfeh, Tony-nominated for creating the role of Paulette in Legally Blonde: The Musical, will join the Tony-winning revival of Chicago beginning August 26 at the Ambassador Theatre.
The actor—whose Broadway credits also include Pretty Woman: The Musical; Saturday Night Fever; The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm; and Footloose—will step into the role of Matron "Mama" Morton, who rules the roost at Cook County Jail, for a limited engagement through September 15.
READ: Alyssa Milano to Make Broadway Debut in Chicago
The current cast of Chicago features Robyn Hurder as
Velma Kelly, Ariana Madix (through September 1) as Roxie Hart, Max von Essen as Billy Flynn, NaTasha Yvette Williams as
Matron "Mama" Morton, Red Concepción as Amos Hart, and R. Lowe as Mary
Sunshine.
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The ensemble includes David Bushman, Jennifer Dunne, Jeff Gorti, Jaquez, Arian Keddell, Mary Claire King, Marty Lawson, Joseph London, Barrett Martin, Sharon Moore, Celina Nightengale, Kristen Faith Oei, Denny Paschall, Jermaine R. Rembert, Mikayla Renfrow, Michael Scirrotto, Rachel Shur, and Matthew Winnegge.
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 been seen by more than
34 million people and played over 33,500 performances worldwide in 38
countries and in more than 525 cities. It is now the second-longest
running show in Broadway history (after the recently closed 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 Duncan Stewart of ARC Casting.
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.
Laura Bell Bundy and cast of Legally Blonde
