Angelica Ross is making her Broadway debut! On Thursday, “Chicago”‘s official Instagram account announced that the “Pose” actor will be starring as the one and only Roxie Hart in the musical beginning Sept. 12. “The name on everybody’s lips is gonna be . . . A N G E L I C A!,” the account captioned a photo of Ross as Roxie.
Ross also reacted to the news on Twitter, writing, “This day is full of mixed feelings for me! I want to celebrate being on Broadway, but I don’t feel like celebrating with #BrittneyGriner sentenced to 9 years in prison. This world is messed up. She doesn’t deserve this.” Brittney Griner, an American basketball player for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, was sentenced to nine years in prison by a Russian court after she was found guilty of drug smuggling with criminal intent, Reuters reported on Aug. 4.
Ross’s turn as Roxie marks the first time an openly trans actor has taken on the lead role. “‘Chicago’s’ Roxie Hart is one of the most recognizable, iconic, and beloved characters in the history of Broadway, and a true talent like Angelica Ross will delight audiences with her impressive acting, singing and performance skills,” GLAAD VP of Communications & Talent Anthony Allen Ramos said in a press release. “Angelica is also a respected leader in the transgender community, and joins L Morgan Lee as trans women of colour currently starring on Broadway.”
Ross now joins the ranks of previous stars who’ve stepped into Roxie’s shoes, including Pamela Anderson, Ashlee Simpson Ross, Michelle Williams, and Gwen Verdon, who originated the role.
