Marroquin Returns to Broadway's Chicago Sept. 15

By Andrew Gans
and Kenneth Jones
September 15, 2008

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Broadway's Chicago welcomes back Mexican actress Bianca Marroquin to the role of merry murderess Roxie Hart beginning Sept. 15.

Marroquin, who first portrayed Roxie Hart in the Mexico City production of Chicago in 2002, is fresh from playing Rose at North Shore Music Theatre's Bye Bye Birdie in Massachusetts. For her Mexican Chicago performance, she received five awards from the Mexican Critics Association, including New Revelation and Best Actress.

Following the critical and popular success of that production, she was then invited to crossover from Mexico City to New York City, and made her English-language debut as Roxie Hart on Broadway later in 2002.

Chicago, by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, plays the Ambassador Theatre, 219 W. 49th St.

Marroquin holds the distinction of being the first — and only — Latina actress to crossover from Mexico to Broadway in a leading role.

Marroquin later took Roxie on the road, kicking off the third national tour of Chicago and earning a 2004 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress.

Earlier this year, she was recognized by the General Consulate of Mexico for her success as a Mexican actress on Broadway. This citation was presented to Marroquin at a special ceremony hosted by Mexican Consul General Ruben Beltran on April 8, 2008.

Marroquin returns to Chicago this month in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Hispanic Heritage Month, a nationwide observance to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States and to celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture. The observation was enacted in August 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. The annual celebration begins Sept. 15 and continues through Oct. 15.

Chicago also stars Tony nominee Brenda Braxton as Velma Kelly, Tony nominee Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn, Tony nominee Kevin Chamberlin as Amos Hart and Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton.

Visit www.chicagothemusical.com for additional information.