Former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star NeNe Leakes will return to Broadway with a limited run in “Chicago,” the play’s producers announced Thursday.
Leakes will play the role of Matron “Mama” Morton for four weeks beginning Nov. 23. She will perform through Dec. 20, 2015 at the Ambassador Theatre.
She returns to Broadway after making her stage debut last year in the role of Cinderella’s wicked stepmother ‘Madame’ in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.” She also appeared as the recurring role of Coach Roz Washington on Fox’s hit comedy “Glee,” a role she played over four seasons.
Set in the 1920s, “Chicago” is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring the city’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines.
The production currently stars actress and “Dancing with the Stars” winner Rumer Willis as Roxie Hart (thru Nov. 1), Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, Jason Danieley as Billy Flynn, Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Matron “Mama” Morton and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.
Williams continues in the role of “Mama” through Nov. 1. “Chicago” veteran Carol Woods will return to the role on Nov. 2 and play through Nov. 22.
With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, “Chicago” is now the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.
Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, the musical won six Tony Awards in 1997 including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy for Best Musical Cast Recording.
Directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking, “Chicago” features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer.