Lala Kent, Ariana Madix and Scheana Shay pose backstage as Madix makes her broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the hit musical ‘Chicago’ on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre on Jan. 29 in New York City.Photo:Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Bruce Glikas/WireImage
TheVanderpump Rulesstar, 38, made her debut on the Great White Way Monday night, starring as Roxie Hart in the Tony-winning, record-breaking revival of Kander & Ebb’sChicago.
Madix’s mother, Tanya, was also on hand to cheer her daughter. She sat alongside Daniel Wai, Madix’s boyfriend (the two started dating shortly after herheadline-making split from ex-Tom Sandovalin March 2023).
Ariana Madix poses with boyfriend Daniel Wai backstage as she makes her broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the hit musical ‘Chicago’ on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre on Jan. 29 in New York City.Bruce Glikas/WireImage
She even blew a kiss to Wai from the stage.
Monday closed the loop on a goal Madix had long been working towards.
To pay the bills during the gruesome grind of auditions, Madix learned to bartend and kept the gig up when she decided to relocate to Los Angeles to build a résumé in Hollywood. There, she got a job ata bar called SUR[“Sexy Unique Restaurant”], which would become the setting ofLisa Vanderpump’sReal Housewives of Beverly Hillsspinoff,Vanderpump Rules.
A decade of drama onBravoand one “Scandoval” later, Madix now finds herself right back where she started — this time with the Broadway contract she once coveted.
Ariana Madix takes her curtain call as she makes her Broadway debut in ‘Chicago’.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
“To say this is a fulfillment of a lifelong dream would be an understatement,” she told PEOPLE during aChicagopress call earlier this month at 48 Lounge in New York City. “This is quite literally everything to me. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. And to be here now, having this full-circle moment … I feel so beyond grateful.”
That doesn’t mean she’s resting on her laurels. Madix knows the discipline it takes to do this job and is putting in the work to make sure audience members see every ounce of talent she has to offer.
“I’m keenly aware what brought me here, but I don’t want that to be what people think about when they leave the theater,” Madix says, hinting that this isn’t just a stunt-casting like it might have been for others in the past. “As cool as it is, it’s veryHamiltonfor me: I cannot throw away my shot. When I go out there, I really want people to say, ‘She belongs here.’ I don’t want people to say, ‘Oh, she got cast because of whatever and nothing else.’ "
She added, “I’m here to prove to people that I deserve my opportunity.”
Chicagowas a flop when the original 1975 production premiered, despite the star power of legendary leading ladiesGwen VerdonandChita Rivera.
The story, about two murderous women who use their criminal notoriety to find fame in the Vaudeville circuit, was deemed too dark at the time but received a new appreciation when it was revived in 1996, this time withAnn ReinkingandBebe Neuwirth.
It won sixTony Awardsincluding best revival, and is Broadway’s longest-running American musical in history.
Ariana Madix greets fans after making her Broadway debut in ‘Chicago’.Bruce Glikas/WireImage
A film was made in 2002, starringRenée ZellwegerandCatherine Zeta-Jones. That won severalAcademy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Zeta-Jones.
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Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellweger in ‘Chicago’.Mary Evans/MIRAMAX/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection
Madix follows in the footsteps of an impressive line of Bravo stars who have taken their turns in the show, includingRHOBHstarsErika GirardiandLisa Rinna, as well asReal Housewives of AtlantastarsKandi BurrusandNeNe Leakes.
Reflecting then on what it would feel like on opening night, Madix told PEOPLE earlier this month that she imagines that’s when her dream will finally feel like a reality.
“It’s going to be a really emotional feeling,” she said. “I think that’s when it will really hit me. Because right now I’m remaining focused on learning the role as best I can. But that will be the moment it sinks in that I can do it. Because I did. I finally did.”
Tickets forChicagoare on sale now atchicagothemusical.com.
source: people.com
