Alyssa Milano is headed to Broadway. The former star of “Charmed” and “Who’s the Boss?” will join “Chicago” in the role of Roxie Hart beginning on Sept. 16 at the Ambassador Theatre. Milano is scheduled for an eight-week tenure through Nov. 10. She will replace current Roxie Ariana Madix, who will vacate the role on Sept. 1. In the interim, frequent Roxie-portrayer and two-time Tony Award nominee Charlotte d’Amboise will play the role from Sept. 2 through Sept. 15.
Milano is best known for her television work as Samantha Micelli on “Who's the Boss?,” Phoebe Halliwell on “Charmed” and Jennifer Mancini on “Melrose Place.” Her stage credits include replacing in the roles of both Kate and July in the second national tour of “Annie” in 1981. She hosts the weekly podcast “Sorry Not Sorry” and is the co-author of the children’s book series “Hope.”
“I could not be more excited to be getting back to my roots in musical theater,” Milano said in a statement. “When I was eight and first joined the national touring company for ‘Annie,’ I never could have imagined the 40+ year career ahead of me. To finally be making my Broadway debut in the role of Roxie Hart in the iconic musical ‘Chicago’ and to stand on the shoulders of such honorable lineage is all that a little girl who loved to sing and dance and make people smile could have ever dreamt of. I can’t wait to hit the stage.”
In addition to Madix, the current principal cast of “Chicago” includes Robyn Hurder as Velma Kelly, Max von Essen as Billy Flynn, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Matron “Mama” Morton, Red Concepción as Amos Hart and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine. Casting is by ARC/Duncan Stewart.
Featuring a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse, “Chicago” is directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking. The musical opened on Nov. 14, 1996 and is the second-longest running show (play or musical) in Broadway history.
“Chicago” is produced by Barry and Fran Weissler.
