Approaching any leading role can be intimidating, but there are few parts as iconic and easily recognizable as Roxie Hart from “Chicago.” Whether you’re looking to gain inspiration, learn the history behind this classic character, or just enjoy performances from some of the most famous Roxies, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll be razzle-dazzling ’em in no time.
This musical is based on a little-known 1926 satirical play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins, which was inspired by two different women who stood trial for murder in 1924. Beulah Annan (the inspiration for Roxie) and Belva Gaertner (the inspiration for Velma Kelly) were both accused of killing their lovers and eventually acquitted. Watkins, who reported on their trials for the Chicago Tribune, saw the dramatic possibilities of their stories. She used them as loose inspiration for a play that examined society and the media’s obsession with crime, celebrity, and the intersection of the two.
In 1927, Frank Urson and Lenore J. Coffee adapted the play into the silent film, “Chicago,” which starred Phyllis Haver as Roxie. A second movie version arrived in 1942 with William A. Wellman’s “Roxie Hart,” which saw Ginger Rogers take on the titular role.
Solo Stunners: The Best Monologues from Musicals But “Chicago” truly exploded in popularity in 1975, when a musical adaptation opened on Broadway, with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. (Fosse also directed the original production.) This version expanded on the themes of Watkins’ play by adding Vaudeville-style numbers to amp up the 1920s atmosphere, highlighting the thin line between media circus and performance art.
The original production was fairly successful, running for a respectable 936 shows. But Walter Bobbie’s 1996 revival is now the second-longest-running musical in Broadway history, wowing audiences for 27 years and counting.
Charlotte d’Ambroise as Roxie Hart in “Chicago” Credit: Jeremy Daniel
While both Roxie and Velma appear to be protagonists in terms of stage time, it’s the former who drives the plot. The story begins when she shoots her lover, Fred Casely, after he attempts to call off their affair. She tries to convince her husband, Amos, to take the blame, but he refuses. Once Roxie snags big-shot lawyer Billy Flynn, the resulting media coverage rockets her to celebrity status. But when her notoriety starts to wane in favor of another accused female murderer, she claims to be pregnant to maintain her relevance.
How to play Roxie Hart
To put it bluntly, Roxie is not a good person. Unlike her real-life counterpart, the audience knows she killed someone, since they witness the homicide at the beginning of the show. On top of that, she lies about it—a lot. She’s thrilled with the idea of being famous for any reason, and she’s ruthless in her pursuit of attention. She’s deceitful, conniving, and self-absorbed. Despite all this, Roxie is still, somehow, likable. She’s a character the audience roots for and has sympathy for. How can an actor achieve this?
12 Great Audition Songs for Young Women Decide how Roxie relates to fame. One of the biggest variables in portrayals of the character is how she deals with the newfound celebrity she’s always dreamed of. The script makes it clear that she’ll go to great lengths to hold onto fame—but how does she feel about it once she has it? Thrilled? Comfortable? Scared? All of the above?
Keep it charming. On paper, Roxie isn’t the kind of character the audience should root for. But for “Chicago” to work, they need to. So any actor playing the role has to ensure that she’s captivating, whether through wide-eyed ambition, self-aware dryness, or something all their own. Whatever direction you take your performance, know that the audience has to love her.
Bring a part of yourself to the role. The best way for Roxie to seem honest and grounded is with a personal touch. The writers offer very little information about Roxie apart from her actions during the show; her age, upbringing, and the specifics of her life aren’t defined. This vagueness is a gift for an actor: To make your performance sincere and lived-in, fill in those gaps with details that feel authentic.
After nearly 50 years, the better question is: Who hasn’t played her? While it would be impossible to pay tribute to the hundreds of Roxies who have danced their way across stage and screen, here are some standouts you can learn from.
Gwen Verdon (Broadway, 1975)
When Verdon originated the role, she gave a subtler, dryer performance than many of her successors. Her conversational tone is oddly captivating: She sucked the audience in early and kept them in the palm of her hand.
Ann Reinking (Broadway, 1996)
In contrast to Verdon, Reinking’s take in the revival (which she also choreographed) was polished and highly stylized. Her monologue before the character’s big song, “Roxie,” doesn’t feel off the cuff or conversational, but rather as if she’s rehearsed it in front of a mirror and has been dying to perform it. (Reinking first played Roxie in 1977, replacing Verdon in the original production, then returned to the role in the ’90s.)
Renée Zellweger (2002 film)
Zellweger is perhaps the most recognizable Roxie thanks to her iconic turn in Rob Marshall’s best picture winner. (She also earned a best actress Oscar nod for the role.) She employed a weaponized ditsy-ness, fussing and batting her eyelashes for the audience while actually being in complete control. Zellweger had the added challenge of differentiating the “real” Roxie from the one who performs the film’s dreamlike musical numbers.
Ruthie Henshall (The West End, 1997)
Definitely the goofiest take on this list, Henshall’s performance is all earnest excitement, especially compared with Reinking’s restrained poise. This Roxie is just a girl who’s living her dream and couldn’t be more thrilled about it. She’s bubbly, giddy, and having the time of her life. It’s impossible not to be happy for her.
Chita Rivera (Las Vegas, 1999)
This Tony-winning legend originated the role of Velma in the 1975 Broadway production. But she returned to “Chicago” several times over the years to play Roxie, most famously in a Vegas production of the revival. Chita’s take has shades of her iconic Velma: Her Roxie is scrappy, no-nonsense, and tough as nails.
Brandy Norwood (Broadway, 2015 and 2017)
Bobbie’s revival has made a habit of stunt-casting Roxie with celebrities who aren’t known for their stage work, and this Grammy-winning pop star is among the standouts. Her take on the role marries wide-eyed enthusiasm with a wry delivery and quick sense of humor—and, of course, killer vocals.
Emma Pittman (Broadway, 2022)
This newcomer brought a breath of fresh air to the character when she won Broadway.com’s highly publicized 2019 talent competition “The Search for Roxie.” Her Roxie is still sophisticated, but with a youthful, wide-eyed energy. Though we don’t know Roxie’s age (other than that she’s “older than [she] ever intended to be”), Annan was only 24 years old at the time of her conviction. There’s a certain eagerness to Pittman’s portrayal (she was 29 during her Broadway run) that isn’t as easily captured by an older actor. (Verdon was 50 when she first played Roxie, while Ann Reinking was 47.) There’s also something meta about Pittman’s take: Like Roxie, she was experiencing fame for the first time.
If you aren’t sick of watching videos that start with, “You wanna know somethin’?” Check out this supercut of nine well-known Roxies, including Melanie Griffith, Sandy Duncan, Bebe Neuwirth, Lisa Rinna, Charlotte d’Amboise, and Karen Ziemba.
