Bianca Marroquín (In the Heights), a frequent presence in the record-breaking revival of Chicago, will return to the Tony-winning production as Velma Kelly beginning August 11 at the Ambassador Theatre.

Hailing from Mexico City, Marroquín is part of a short list of actors to have played both Roxie and Velma in the long-running John Kander and Fred Ebb musical, debuting her Velma as part of the revival's post-COVID re-opening cast in 2021. When she joined the company for the first time as Roxie in 2006, Marroquín became the first Mexican woman to play a leading role on Broadway. Over the years, Marroquín has periodically stepped into the role of both Roxie and Velma.

The record-breaking production will also welcome to the cell block for the first time Tam Mutu (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) as Billy Flynn and Jacqueline B. Arnold (Smash) as Matron Mama Morton, both also beginning August 11.

The current cast of Chicago features Dylis Croman as Roxie Hart, Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma Kelly, Max von Essen as Billy Flynn, Rema Webb as Matron “Mama” Morton, Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart, and J. London as Mary Sunshine. 

The company is completed by Zach Bravo, David Bushman, Jessica Ernest, Jeff Gorti, Chelsea James, Arian Keddell, James T. Lane, Marty Lawson, Barrett Martin, Sharon Moore, Celina Nightengale, Kristen Faith Oei, Denny Paschall, Mikayla Renfrow, Sean Samuels, Samantha Sturm, Matthew Winnegge, and Jayke Workman.

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 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 ARC.

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.

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Every Velma Kelly in Chicago on Broadway

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