Comic Matteo Lane made his Broadway debut in the Tony-winning revival of Chicago June 22 at the Ambassador Theatre. Watch Lane, who has stepped into the role of slick lawyer Billy Flynn, perform “Razzle Dazzle” in the Instagram video below.
Lane joined a cast that includes Krysta Rodriguez (Smash) as
Roxie Hart, Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma Kelly, Jacqueline B. Arnold as
Matron “Mama” Morton, Red Concepción returning as Amos Hart, and J.
Workman as Mary Sunshine.
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The company also includes Tia Altinay, Nicole Benoit, Ronnie S.
Bowman Jr., Austin Dunn, John Michael Fiumara, Danielle Marie Gonzalez,
Chelsea James, Christopher Kelley, James T. Lane, Jenny Laroche, Marty
Lawson, Joseph London, Kristen Faith Oei, Denny Paschall, Mariah Reives,
Sean Samuels, Samantha Sturm, and Jeff Sullivan.
Lane, known for his blend of
stand-up comedy, musical prowess, and artistic versatility, was
previously named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch.” His specials Hair Plugs & Heartache and The Advice Special have garnered millions of views, and his credits also include
Abbott Elementary, Upgraded, Maintenance Required, Survival of the
Thickest, Molli & Max in the Future, The Joan Rivers Tribute, and Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution.
Lane, who is fluent in five languages, was an oil painter and a
classically trained opera singer before beginning his comedy career.
Lane is playing a limited engagement through July 19. Dancer, choreographer, and actor Mark Ballas will return to the role of Flynn July 20.
The revival of Chicago began life as one of the three annual Encores!
presentations offered by City Center. The musical opened on Broadway at
the Richard Rodgers Theatre November 14, 1996, where it remained
through February 1997. The musical transferred to the Shubert Theatre,
and played that house through January 26, 2003. The revival reopened at
the Ambassador Theatre January 29 that year.
Since its debut in 1996, Chicago has played in 36 countries
and been seen by 33 million people worldwide. It is now the
second-longest running show in Broadway history (after the now closed The Phantom of the Opera).
READ: How the Chicago Costumes Have Evolved Over 25 Years
With a book by the late Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Ebb, Chicago
features direction by Walter Bobbie, choreography by the late Ann
Reinking, set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey
Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Scott Lehrer,
and casting by ARC.
The current production, produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, won the
Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997 as well as awards for
actors Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, director Bobbie, lighting
designer Billington, and Reinking. The original production was directed
and choreographed by the late Fosse.
