Grammy Winner Mya to Join Broadway's Chicago
By Andrew Gans
11 Feb 2008
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Mya
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| photo by Amy Arbus | Mưa — the Grammy-winning singer known for such hits as "Case of the Ex," "Ghetto Superstar" and "Lady Marmalade" — will join the Tony-winning revival of Kander and Ebb's Chicago in May.
According to a press notice, the multi-platinum recording artist will begin performances as merry murderess Velma Kelly May 12 at the Ambassador Theatre. Mưa will stay with the long-running musical through July 13.
A Washington, DC, native Mya made a splash with her 1998 debut album, "Mưa," which yielded three top 10 singles: "It's All About Me," "Movin' On" and "My First Night with You." Her second CD was titled "Fear of Flying." In 2001 Mya joined Lil' Kim, Pink, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliot to record "Lady Marmalade" for the "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack, which won a Grammy Award. Her third solo recording, "Moodring," featured the hits "My Love Is Like. . . Wo" and "Fallen." In 2005 the singer founded TMATF: The Mya Arts & Tech Foundation, which is dedicated to "providing disadvantaged youth growth and opportunity through arts and technology education."
Mưa's association with the razzle-dazzle world of Chicago dates back to 2003 when she played Mona in the Rob Marshall-directed film version of "Chicago."
In a statement Chicago producer Barry Weissler said, "It's not often that one encounters a performer with the level of accomplishment that Mưa brings to the table. She is a true triple-threat – a wonderful actor, an amazing singer, and an insanely talented dancer. She has an incredible sense of drive, intensity and showmanship that I'm confident will make her portrayal of Velma Kelly unlike anything we’ve ever seen."
Chicago won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997 as well as awards for actors Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, director Walter Bobbie, lighting designer Ken Billington and choreographer Ann Reinking. The original production was directed and choreographed by the late Bob Fosse.
Chicago currently features Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Brenda Braxton as Velma Kelly, John Schneider as Billy Flynn, Ron Orbach as Amos Hart and Roz Ryan as Matron "Mama" Morton.
Chicago plays the Ambassador Theatre, located at 215 West 49th Street.
For more information, visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com.
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Mya with (l.-r.) Eric Jordan Young, Michael Cusumano and Denny Paschall.
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| photo by Amy Arbus |
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