Bianca Marroquín celebrates 20 years in ‘Chicago’, on Broadway, the theater mecca

(CNN Spanish) – The musical “Chicago” closes with a flourish the Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States with the staging starring Ana Villafañe, like Roxie Hart; Bianca Marroquin, like Velma Kelly, and the Tony award winner, Paulo Szot, like Billy Flynn.

Zona Pop CNN spoke with Mexican Bianca Marroquín in a video call from her apartment in New York, to learn more about this special feature.

“I had been very alone in the wonderful musical that I love so much. I was the only Latina until Jaime Camil arrived for a brief season, the two Mexicans being at the forefront of this musical at the same time, and now with Ana Villafañe, we are the two Latinas who star in ‘Chicago’ at the same time, which is very nice, “says Marroquín.

Chicago, which is presented at the Ambassador Theater, is celebrating 25 years on Broadway and is considered the longest running American musical in the history of the industry. (Photo ¡Viva Broadway! The cast of Chicago is currently starring three Latin stars who They include Ana Villafañe, as Roxie Hart, Bianca Marroquín, as Velma Kelly, and award winner Tony Paulo Szot, as Billy Flynn.

The return of “Chicago” … to Broadway

The pandemic caused all the theaters in New York to close. That the classic marquees with all the lights were turned off and that hundreds of actors stopped performing on the stages of the most representative place of the theater in the world, Broadway.

“This return is very important, I feel like an ambassador and it has always been my work with Long live Broadway! so Latinos know that Broadway is for them too. What the producers of ‘Chicago’ have done and that they are open to having three Latinos as protagonists is so great and important, because they see us as artists, “says the native of Monterrey, in the state of Nuevo León, Mexico.

How is this return to “Chicago” lived? Marroquín explains: “First it was accepting that I could not return to work. It was living 18 months with anxiety, sadness, nostalgia and accepting this closure and being told that I was not returning with the role that I have been doing for 20 years -Roxie- and that I return with Velma, it is a very big challenge because the characters are very different in every way, vocally, acting and choreographically. “

“Chicago” is about to celebrate 25 years on Broadway. He raised the curtain on November 14, 1996, at the Richard Rodgers Theater. Being part of this celebration for Bianca is something wonderful: “with this return to Broadway, we not only celebrate the return to the stage, this year is celebrating 25 years of ‘Chicago’ and it is my 20 years in this musical”.

“My heart becomes very big and I am very proud to be Mexican and Latina and to be here. I have realized that more and more Latinos are going to the theater on Broadway and that makes me feel like a peacock, that my people have fun in the various musicals there are, “he adds.

Bianca Marroquin: 20-year career in “Chicago”

Bianca Marroquín began her career on the Mexican stage in the musicals “La Bella y la Bestia”, “RENT” and “El fantasma de la opera.” But her big break came in 2001 in the role that would change her life: Roxie Hart, along with Argentine actress Sandra Guida.

20 years later, he is still in this great musical. “I have to keep reminding myself where I am constantly. Do you know at what moment ‘twenties’ falls? When I talk to the press and relive everything I have done in my career in musicals.”

How will you celebrate these 20 years of career? “On November 10 I give a concert in Green Room 42, which I am already putting on with my choreographer, director and musical director, celebrating my path. I always began my shows with the phrase: the only constant is change. The only constant in my life is Roxie Hart. And now, I have to change it because I am already Velma Kelly, “she says.

In addition to the musical, it is part of the “Chicago” concerts with symphony orchestras in the United States. “We tour several cities giving concerts with 60 members of the symphony orchestras in different cities. It is a privilege that I can do that and I join the short list of women who have done it like Chita Rivera, Bebe Neuwirth and Ruthie Henshall.”

What is “Chicago” about?

Set in the 1920s, it tells the story of two women: Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly. Both are ambitious and have been locked up for crimes of passion. Her attorney, Billy Flynn, used the tabloids of the day to win her clients’ freedom.

Among the most stunning themes of the musical are “All that Jazz”, “Cell Block Tango”, “We Both Reached for the Gun”, “Razzle Dazzle” and without a doubt, “Hot Honey Rag”, the closing where Velma and Roxie show the strength of the Charleston of the time.

The special performance of “Chicago”, starring Ana Villafañe, as Roxie Hart, and Bianca Marroquín, as Velma Kelly, will be the night of this Monday, October 18 at the Ambassador Theater at 8:00 PM, Miami time.