Ivy lands rare Broadway lead in 'Chicago' after years of preparation
Ivy / Courtesy of Seensee Company
"Broadway felt like something that had already passed me by, something that would never happen. No, no, no."
That was how Korean singer and actor Ivy reacted after learning she had been cast as Roxie Hart in Broadway's long-running production of “Chicago,” fulfilling a dream she once believed was out of reach.
The production company behind “Chicago” announced on June 9 (local time) that Ivy would join the Broadway cast as Roxie Hart, one of the musical's lead roles. She is scheduled to perform at New York's Ambassador Theatre from Aug. 17 through Sept. 6.
The casting is drawing attention because it is rare for a Korean to take on a leading role in an English-language Broadway production alongside American performers. It is even more notable because Ivy will be playing the same character she has portrayed for more than a decade in Korea.
According to Ivy, she first heard about the possibility of appearing on Broadway four years ago. At the time, however, concerns about performing in English prevented her from seriously pursuing the opportunity.
She started studying English and eventually received what she described as a "dream offer." After completing three rounds of video auditions over the course of a year, she earned the role.
A poster for "Chicago" / Courtesy of Seensee Company
"'Chicago' is my first leading role and Roxie Hart is the character I love most," Ivy said. "I feel honored and happy to be making my Broadway debut with this role."
She added, "During the yearlong audition process, I received feedback each time that I was improving. I will continue preparing and do my best to deliver a great performance as an actor representing Korea."
Set in 1920s Chicago, the musical follows Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two women accused of murder who draw media attention, turning their cases into spectacles. Originally directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, the show premiered on Broadway in 1975.
The current revival production opened in 1996 and went on to win six Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival. It remains one of the longest-running productions in Broadway history.
Ivy first took on the role of Roxie Hart in the Korean production of “Chicago” in 2012, winning a Best New Actress award at the Korea Musical Awards. She returned for six seasons and performed the role nearly 600 times, making Roxie one of the defining characters of her stage career.
Ivy / Courtesy of Seensee Company
Industry observers say the casting also reflects the growing international reputation of Korean musical performers.
As Korea's musical theater market has expanded and exchanges with overseas productions have increased, Broadway producers have had more opportunities to see Korean performers on stage.
Performing arts columnist Park Byung-sung said Korean musical actors are already recognized for world-class singing and acting skills.
"Asian actors have appeared on Broadway before, but often in productions with Asian characters, such as 'Miss Saigon' or 'The King and I,'" Park said. "The fact that Ivy has been cast as a lead in 'Chicago,' where the character is not written with a specific ethnicity in mind, makes this especially meaningful."
After completing her Broadway run, Ivy will return to Korea and reprise the role of Roxie Hart in the Korean production of “Chicago,” which opens Dec. 5 at LG Arts Center Seoul.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.