Theater News

Bebe Neuwirth Makes Broadway History With a Hat Trick in Broadway's Chicago

The two-time Tony winner will rejoin the cast for the third time as Matron “Mama” Morton.

Bebe Neuwirth
Bebe Neuwirth
(© David Gordon)

Stage, television, and film star Bebe Neuwirth is slowly making her way through the entire company of Broadway's long-running hit Chicago. "When the revival opened 17 years ago, Bebe was honored with a Tony Award, an Astaire Award, a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Drama League Award for her unequalled performance as Velma Kelly," said producer Barry Weissler. "Ten years later, she rejoined the company to star as Roxie Hart, and the results were equally spectacular. And this January she's back again, now as Matron 'Mama' Morton, making her the first leading lady in Broadway history to play all three principal roles."

Neuwirth will take on her newest role as the manipulative prison matron for a limited eight-week run from January 14-March 9, 2014. Her other Broadway credits include A Chorus Line, Dancin', Little Me, Damn Yankees, Fosse, The Addams Family, and Sweet Charity, for which she earned her first Tony Award, a decade before her starring turn in Chicago. Neuwirth is also well known for originating the character of Dr. Lilith Sternin on the television sitcoms Cheers and Frasier — a role that earned her two Emmy Awards.

Chicago, featuring a score by songwriting team John Kander and Fred Ebb, has become the third-longest-running show in Broadway history, since opening its 1996 revival production. The musical follows two Fosse-fied murderesses, Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, as they vie for stardom and freedom on the mean streets of Chicago.

Chicago currently stars Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, Ryan Silverman as Billy Flynn, Tony nominee Christopher Fitzgerald as Amos Hart, and Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton. Roz Ryan will return as Matron "Mama" Morton for one week, from January 6-12.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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