Broadway’s longest-running American musical is welcoming an international star to its cast. South Korean singer and musical theater actress Ivy will make her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago for a limited three-week engagement beginning Aug. 17 at New York City’s Ambassador Theatre.
The acclaimed performer, whose real name is Park Eun-hye, will appear in the iconic role through Sept. 6 before returning to South Korea to reprise her performance in the Seoul production of Chicago later this year.
The casting marks another milestone in the growing global appeal of Broadway productions and highlights the enduring popularity of Chicago in South Korea, where the musical has become one of the country’s most successful licensed stage productions.
Since its Korean premiere in 2000, Chicago has been performed approximately 1,700 times and has attracted around 1.8 million theatergoers, according to producer Park Myung-Sung.
“I believe it is the result of years of steady and dedicated work, taking one step at a time to carefully sustain the production,” Park said, thanking audiences, performers, and production staff for supporting the show over more than two decades.
Ivy is no stranger to the role of Roxie Hart. She has earned acclaim for portraying the ambitious nightclub dancer in the Korean production and has built an extensive career in musical theater. Her stage credits include Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Wicked, Aida, Ghost the Musical, Jekyll & Hyde, Kiss Me, Kate, and Dracula.
She is also an award-winning recording artist whose music career began in 2005. Over the years, she has earned honors including Best Female Artist at the Mnet KM Music Festival and multiple Golden Disc Awards. In theater, she won Best Leading Actress at the 2018 Yegrin Musical Awards and Best New Actress at the 2012 Korea Musical Awards.
Chicago continues to be one of Broadway’s biggest success stories. Featuring music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, the musical has become the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.
Set during the roaring 1920s, the story follows Roxie Hart, a woman accused of murder who manipulates the media and public opinion in hopes of escaping conviction with the help of charismatic attorney Billy Flynn.
The current Broadway cast includes Rachel Schur as Roxie Hart, Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma Kelly, Nik Walker as Billy Flynn, Jacqueline B. Arnold as Mama Morton, Greg Hildreth as Amos Hart, and J. Workman as Mary Sunshine.
Ivy’s limited engagement is expected to draw both Broadway audiences and international fans eager to see one of South Korea’s biggest musical theater stars make her New York debut in one of Broadway’s most iconic roles.