RuPaul’s Drag Race Winner Jinkx Monsoon Extends Run in Broadway's Chicago

Two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon, who made her Broadway debut in the Tony-winning revival of Chicago January 16 in the role of Matron "Mama" Morton, has extended her engagement at the Ambassador Theatre.

Monsoon, originally scheduled for an eight-week engagement through March 12, will now continue an extra 14 performances through March 26.

READ: To Jinkx Monsoon, Starring in Chicago On Broadway Is Just Another Round of Snatch Game

Monsoon says, “The kids are saying ‘she ate,’ so I figured, I might as well have seconds. In all seriousness, playing for standing-room-only crowds throughout my run as Mama has got my mind blown and my heart full. Audiences from all over the world have generously brought so much joy to this show. The Chicago cast has become my family, and I’ve made friends for life. I’m super excited for what the rest of the year holds, but first, I’m gonna keep feeling my oats on the Broadway stage.”

READ: Chicago Star Jinkx Monsoon to Launch 44-City North American Tour This Summer

The current cast of Chicago features Charlotte d’Amboise as Roxie Hart, Lana Gordon as Velma Kelly, James T. Lane as Billy Flynn, Monsoon as Matron “Mama” Morton, Evan Harrington as Amos Hart, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

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The cast also 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.