NEW YORK — This spring, model and businesswoman Ashley Graham will step onto Broadway’s stage, debuting in the musical “Chicago,” an acclaimed production that pokes fun at the culture of celebrity worship.
Graham, noted for her influence and honored as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2017 and Glamour’s “Woman of the Year” in 2016, is set to take on the role of Roxie Hart at the Ambassador Theatre from April 15 to May 25.
In a recent statement, Graham expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m honored to make my Broadway debut as the iconic Roxie Hart. I’m deeply grateful to be able to embrace this new challenge and excited to share the stage with this incredible company.”
Ashley Graham’s mainstream breakthrough came with her appearance on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition in 2016. This propelled her into further success, including gracing the cover of Vogue and serving as a judge on “America’s Next Top Model.”
She is also an accomplished author, having penned the memoir “A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty & Power Really Look Like,” and has most recently been seen hosting Roku’s “Side Hustlers” and HGTV’s “Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge.”
Set in the flamboyant 1920s, “Chicago” is a biting satire that critiques how the entertainment industry and media can turn criminals into celebrities. Packed with Bob Fosse-inspired dance sequences, revealing costumes, and unforgettable tunes like “All That Jazz” and “Cell Block Tango,” the musical offers a gripping narrative.
The storyline follows Roxie Hart, a housewife and dancer caught in a web of crime when she murders a lover who was threatening to end their affair. In her quest to escape conviction, Roxie hires Chicago’s cunning criminal lawyer to manipulate the media, the public, and even her fellow cellmate and rival, Velma Kelly, proceeding to engineer sensational headlines that captivate the audience.
Since its grand opening in 1996, the role of the fame-hungry Roxie has been portrayed by a star-studded roster of women, including Pamela Anderson, Melanie Griffith, Christie Brinkley, Marilu Henner, Brooke Shields, Lisa Rinna, Gretchen Mol, Ashlee Simpson, Brandy Norwood, Jennifer Nettles, and Robin Givens.
