Actor, vocalist, drag queen and two-time “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Jinkx Monsoon will take on the role of Matron “Mama” Morton in “Chicago,” marking her Broadway debut.
Monsoon joins the cast beginning Jan. 16, 2023, and will continue through March 12. She succeeds current cast member Charity Angél Dawson.
Best known for her appearances on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Monsoon is the only queen in the show’s history to have won the competition twice. She appeared on Season 5 and “All Stars” Season 7 and won both, earning her the title of Queen of All Queens. Her latest studio EP, “The Virgo Odyssey: Prologue,” was released on PEG Records over the summer. Though “Chicago” marks her Main Stem debut, Monsoon’s previous stage credits include the title role in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and Velma Von Tussle in “Hairspray.” She holds a BFA in Theater from Cornish College of the Arts.
“I cannot stress enough that this has been a lifelong dream of mine,” said 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.”
Monsoon joins a cast that currently includes Charlotte d’Amboise as Roxie Hart, Lana Gordon as Velma Kelly, Ryan Silverman as Billy Flynn, Isaac Mizrahi as Amos Hart (through Nov. 26) and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.
They are joined by David Bushman, Christine Cornish, Jennifer Dunne, Jessica Ernest, Jennifer Fouché, 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.
Mizrahi, nearing the end of his three-week limited engagement, will be succeeded by “Chicago” alum Evan Harrington, who previously appeared as Amos Hart from June through November of 2022.
“Chicago” celebrated its 26th anniversary on Broadway on Nov. 14. The musical is produced by Barry and Fran Weissler. Casting is by Stewart/Whitley.
