Jinkx Monsoon to Play Matron "Mama" Morton in Chicago on Broadway

Two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon will make her Broadway debut in an eight-week limited engagement as Matron "Mama" Morton in the cast of the long-running musical Chicago. She will perform the role at the Ambassador Theatre from January 16-March 12, 2023, becoming the first drag queen to play the role on Broadway.

"I cannot stress enough that this has been a lifelong dream of mine," said Jinkx Monsoon in a statement. "To be making my Broadway debut, as my favorite role, in one of my favorite shows— that lifelong dream is coming true and then some. The first number I performed in drag was 'All That Jazz,' so this feels almost too serendipitous. But I never question my blessings, I just thank Hecate for them."

Since rising to fame, Jinkx has toured the world performing her original cabaret shows with music partner Major Scales. Their shows include The Ginger Snapped, The Vaudevillians, and their most recent production, Together Again, Again. She is presently on tour with fellow Drag Race star BenDeLaCreme for their annual holiday spectacular. Jinkx was recently crowned "Queen of All Queens" after winning the all-winners version of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

The current cast of Chicago features Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart, Lana Gordon as Velma Kelly, Ryan Silverman as Billy Flynn, Charity Angél Dawson as Matron "Mama" Morton, Isaac Mizrahi as Amos Hart, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine. The cast also includes David Bushman, Christine Cornish, Jennifer Dunne, Jessica Ernest, Jeff Gorti, Arian Keddell, Mary Claire King, Joseph London, Barrett Martin, Sharon Moore, Drew Nellessen, Celina Nightengale, Brian O'Brien, Denny Paschall, Jermaine R. Rembert, Rachel Schur, Michael Scirrotto, and Brian Spitulnik.

Chicago features a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Directed Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking, this revival has been playing on Broadway since 1996 and is one of the longest-running Broadway productions in history.

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids.