Roxie Hart's Razzle-Dazzle: 5 Shocking Facts And The Latest Celebrity To Play Chicago's Lead Character

Roxie Hart, the fame-hungry murderess at the heart of the long-running musical *Chicago*, remains one of Broadway's most coveted and complex roles, a testament to the enduring allure of celebrity and crime in the American consciousness. As of December 2025, the role continues to see high-profile casting, keeping the production fresh and relevant for a new generation of theatergoers. The latest star to step into the iconic shoes of the aspiring vaudevillian is reality TV personality and dancer, Whitney Leavitt, who is set to make her highly anticipated Broadway debut in early 2026.

This constant stream of celebrity casting highlights the character's core theme: the pursuit of fame at any cost, transforming a scandalous crime into a stepping stone for stardom. Roxie Hart is not just a character; she is a satirical mirror reflecting the public's obsession with "murderess row" and the media's power to manipulate narratives. Her story, set in the razzle-dazzle of the Jazz Age, continues to be a sharp, cynical commentary on corruption and the American justice system.

The Complete Biography and Profile of Roxie Hart

Roxie Hart is the central protagonist of the 1975 musical *Chicago*, which was revived in 1996 and adapted into the Oscar-winning 2002 film. The character is a blend of naive ambition and dangerous selfishness, driven by a singular desire to become a famous vaudeville star. Her story begins with a crime of passion that she quickly learns to exploit for media attention.

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• Full Name: Roxie Hart (née Roxie Morgan in the original play/film adaptation)
• Occupation: Aspiring vaudeville performer / Chorus Girl
• Spouse: Amos Hart, a simple, easily manipulated mechanic, whom Roxie constantly dismisses as "Funny Honey."
• Crime: The murder of her lover, Fred Casely, after he tries to leave her.
• Setting: Cook County Jail's "Murderess Row" in 1920s Chicago, during the height of the Jazz Age.
• Key Personality Traits: Narcissistic, vain, desperate for fame, deceitful, cunning, and self-absorbed.
• Rival: Velma Kelly, a fellow murderess and established headliner whom Roxie initially tries to emulate and later surpasses in media attention.
• Legal Counsel: Billy Flynn, the charismatic and corrupt lawyer known for his "Razzle Dazzle" legal strategy.
• Signature Songs: "Funny Honey," "Roxie," and "Me and My Baby."

The True Crime That Inspired Roxie Hart: Beulah Annan

The cynical narrative of *Chicago* is not a work of pure fiction; it is based on real-life events and the reporting of journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins. The character of Roxie Hart is directly inspired by a real-life Chicago murderess named Beulah Annan.

The Scandal of Beulah Annan

In 1924, Beulah Annan, a 23-year-old married woman, was accused of the murder of her lover, Harry Kalstedt. Her initial story to her husband, Albert "Al" Annan, was that she had shot Kalstedt in self-defense after a struggle. This is mirrored in Roxie's initial lie to her husband, Amos Hart, that the victim was a burglar.

The public fascination with Annan was immense. She was dubbed "the most beautiful slayer on Murderess Row." Like Roxie, Annan quickly learned to manipulate the press and public sympathy. She claimed to be pregnant, a tactic Roxie famously uses in the musical to divert attention and garner sympathy from the jury and media.

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Watkins’ reporting, which formed the basis for the original 1926 play, highlighted how the press turned these murderesses into celebrities, focusing on their looks and sensational stories rather than the crime itself. Annan was ultimately acquitted, but her story—and that of fellow murderess Belva Gaertner (the inspiration for Velma Kelly)—exposed the corrupting influence of celebrity and money on the legal system.

The Legacy of Roxie: Actresses Who Defined the Role

Since the original 1975 production, the role of Roxie Hart has been a magnet for both established Broadway veterans and high-profile celebrities, cementing its status as a pop culture phenomenon. The character's minimal vocal demands and heavy emphasis on dance and charisma make it an ideal vehicle for celebrities looking to make a splash on Broadway or the West End.

Here is a list of some of the most notable actresses who have taken on the role of the infamous murderess, Roxie Hart:

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• Gwen Verdon (Original Broadway, 1975): The role was originally created for the legendary dancer and actress, who was married to the show’s co-creator and choreographer, Bob Fosse.
• Liza Minnelli (1975 Replacement): A true superstar, Minnelli stepped in as a replacement shortly after the original production opened, bringing her own unique star power to the role.
• Ann Reinking (1996 Revival): Reinking, a Fosse protégé, not only played Roxie in the highly successful 1996 revival but also choreographed the show in the iconic Fosse style, winning a Tony Award.
• Renée Zellweger (2002 Film): Zellweger earned an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal in the critically acclaimed movie musical, bringing the character to a global audience.
• Brooke Shields: The actress and model played Roxie on Broadway and later reprised the role in the West End and on a U.S. national tour.
• Ashlee Simpson: The pop star and actress played the role in the West End in 2006 and later on Broadway and at the Hollywood Bowl.
• Michelle Williams: The former Destiny's Child member has also taken on the role, adding to the list of celebrity singers who have played the scheming chorus girl.
• Pamela Anderson: The *Baywatch* icon made a highly publicized Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in 2022, drawing significant media attention.
• Bianca Marroquín: A veteran of the show, Marroquín is one of the few actresses to have played both Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, and she frequently returns to the role, demonstrating her deep connection to the material.
• America Ferrera: The Emmy-winning actress, known for *Ugly Betty*, also played the role in the West End production.
• Whitney Leavitt (Upcoming 2026): Leavitt, known from "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," is the latest celebrity to join the cast, with her run scheduled from February 2 to March 15, 2026, at the Ambassador Theatre.

The Enduring Topical Authority of the Chicago Musical

The continuous appeal of Roxie Hart and the musical *Chicago* lies in its masterful exploration of timeless, dark themes that resonate deeply with contemporary culture. The show, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, is structured as a series of vaudeville acts, each one a satirical take on a different aspect of the corrupt world of 1920s Chicago.

Media Manipulation and Celebrity Culture

The central theme is how the media can turn criminals into overnight celebrities. Roxie's song "Roxie" is a narcissistic fantasy about her newfound fame, while "We Both Reached for the Gun" is a brilliant piece of staging where Billy Flynn literally uses Roxie as a puppet to feed a fabricated, sympathetic story to the press. This commentary on "fake news" and media sensationalism feels as current today as it did in the 1920s.

The Jazz Age and All That Jazz

The setting of the Roaring Twenties is crucial, defined by the themes of "Sex, Jazz, [and] Liquor," as referenced in the opening number "All That Jazz." This atmosphere of moral decay and hedonism provides the perfect backdrop for Roxie's amoral quest for stardom. The iconic choreography by Bob Fosse—all turned-in knees, hunched shoulders, and suggestive movements—is inseparable from the show's identity and its cynical worldview.

The character of Roxie Hart, whether played by a Broadway legend or a reality star making their debut, remains a potent symbol of American ambition. She is the ultimate anti-heroine: a charming, selfish, and utterly captivating figure whose pursuit of "All That Jazz" continues to draw audiences into the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. The upcoming debut of Whitney Leavitt is just the latest chapter in Roxie’s never-ending, razzle-dazzle pursuit of fame.