Kecia Lewis-Evans Will Join Broadway's Chicago Prior to Shrek

By Andrew Gans
26 Feb 2008

Kecia Lewis-Evans
Kecia Lewis-Evans

Kecia Lewis-Evans, who originated the role of Trix in The Drowsy Chaperone, will join the Broadway company of Chicago in March.

Beginning March 18, Lewis-Evans will portray Matron "Mama" Morton in the Tony-winning revival of the Kander and Ebb musical at the Ambassador Theatre. The singing actress will play an 11-week run through June 1. Lewis-Evans has also been signed to play The Dragon in the Broadway-bound Shrek the Musical.

Chicago will welcome a familiar face when Broadway veteran Jeff McCarthy begins another stint as slick lawyer Billy Flynn, also on March 18.

In addition to The Drowsy Chaperone, Kecia Lewis-Evans has been seen on Broadway in Once on This Island, Ain't Misbehavin', Big River, The Gospel at Colonus and Dreamgirls. Her other theatrical credits include Dessa Rose, From the Mississippi Delta and Once on This Island.

Jeff McCarthy has been seen on Broadway in The Pirate Queen, Urinetown, Side Show, Beauty and the Beast, Smile, Zorba and Pirates of Penzance and Off-Broadway in Dream True and Sympathetic Magic. His other theatrical credits include The Opposite of Sex, Les Misérables, Three Sisters, City of Angels, Arms and the Man, Follies, The Misanthrope, Henry IV, Sunday in the Park with George and A Lie of the Mind. McCarthy's screen credits include "Law & Order," "Star Trek," "L.A. Law," "Cheers," "Designing Women," "Heat of the Night," "RoboCop II," "Eve of Destruction," "Rapid Fire" and "Cliffhanger."

Chicago currently features Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly, John Schneider as Billy Flynn, Ron Orbach as Amos Hart and Roz Ryan as Matron "Mama" Morton. As previously announced, Grammy winner Mýa will make her Broadway debut as Velma Kelly May 12.

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 plays the Ambassador Theatre, located at 215 West 49th Street.

For more information, visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com.