Model and trailblazing entrepreneur Ashley Graham will make her highly anticipated Broadway bow this spring, gracefully stepping into the dazzling musical "Chicago," infusing the show—a gleeful takedown of celebrity culture—with her star power. Having been honored as one of Time's "100 Most Influential People in the World" in 2017 and Glamour's "Woman of the Year" in 2016, Graham will captivate audiences from April 15th to May 25th at the Ambassador Theatre, portraying the iconic Roxie Hart.
"I am deeply honored to embark on my Broadway journey as the unforgettable Roxie Hart," she exclaimed in a statement, her enthusiasm palpable. "I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to embrace a fresh challenge and thrilled to share the spotlight with this extraordinary ensemble."
Graham's mainstream breakthrough came in 2016 when she graced the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, a milestone that paved the way for her Vogue cover feature and a judging gig on "America's Next Top Model." She has also penned the insightful memoir, "A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, & Power Really Look Like," and more recently, hosted Roku's "Side Hustlers" and HGTV's "Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge," further cementing her status as a multifaceted force.
Set against the jazzy backdrop of the 1920s, "Chicago" is a scathing satire that skewers the symbiotic relationship between show business and the media in creating celebrities from criminals. Featuring Bob Fosse-inspired choreography, revealing costumes, and timeless tunes like "All That Jazz" and "Cell Block Tango," the musical tells the tale of Roxie, a housewife and aspiring dancer who, after murdering her lover who threatens to leave her, hires Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer to orchestrate a publicity stunt that dupes the public, media, and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, through sensational headlines.
Since its debut in 1996, the role of Roxie, the celebrity-obsessed protagonist at the heart of "Chicago," has been brought to life by an illustrious list of women, including Pam Anderson, Melanie Griffith, Christie Brinkley, Marilu Henner, Brooke Shields, Lisa Rinna, Gretchen Mol, Ashlee Simpson, Brandy Norwood, Jennifer Nettles, and Robin Givens, among others. Graham's interpretation promises to add a new layer of intrigue and elegance to this timeless story.
