Valerie Simpson (of Ashford & Simpson fame) made her Broadway acting debut in the Tony-winning revival of Chicago March 12.
Simpson steps into the role of Matron 鈥淢ama鈥� Morton at the Ambassador Theatre, taking over for Grammy winner and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss. Joining Simpson is Chaz Lamar Shepherd (the original Broadway production of The Color Purple) as Billy Flynn; recent Billy Flynn Tom Hewitt departed the production to appear in The Sting at Paper Mill Playhouse.
Chicago currently also stars Bianca Marroqu铆n as Roxie Hart, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, Evan Harrington as Amos Hart, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.
Flip through photos of their first bows below:
Valerie Simpson
Valerie Simpson
Chaz Lamar Shepherd
Evan Harrington, Valerie Simpson, Brian Spitulnik, and Sam Lips
Donna Marie Asbury, R. Lowe, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Bianca Marroquin, Amra-Faye Wright, Evan Harrington, Valerie Simpson, Brian Spitulnik, and Sam Lips
Bianca Marroquin, Amra-Faye Wright, Evan Harrington, Michael Scirrotto, Valerie Simpson, Brian Spitulnik, and Sam Lips.
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Evan Harrington, Valerie Simpson, Brian Spitulnik, and Sam Lips
Donna Marie Asbury, R. Lowe, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Bianca Marroquin, and Amra-Faye Wright
Donna Marie Asbury, R. Lowe, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Bianca Marroquin, and Amra-Faye Wright
Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Bianca Marroquin, Amra-Faye Wright, and cast
Donna Marie Asbury, R. Lowe, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Bianca Marroquin, Amra-Faye Wright, Valerie Simpson, and Evan Harrington
Katie Mitchell, Jessica Ernest, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Bianca Marroquin, Amra-Faye Wright, Evan Harrington, and Valerie Simpson
Katie Mitchell, Jessica Ernest, Donna Marie Asbury, R. Lowe, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Bianca Marroquin, Amra-Faye Wright, Evan Harrington, and Valerie Simpson
Amra-Faye Wright, Bianca Marroquin, Evan Harrington, Valerie Simpson, Brian Spitulnik, and Sam Lips
Bianca Marroquin, Amra-Faye Wright, Evan Harrington, Valerie Simpson, Brian Spitulnik and Sam Lips
Jessica Ernest, Donna Marie Asbury, R. Lowe, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Bianca Marroquin, Amra-Faye Wright, Evan Harrington, Valerie Simpson, and Brian Spitulnik
