Christmas Eve on a Dance Floor

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS puts out a special holiday album every holiday season featuring a song from each Broadway show called Carols For a Cure. This year “Chicago” the musical made a special music video for our song. Directed by Jason Patrick Sands and starring the cast, band, crew and friends of “Chicago”. Take a peek here!

I don't know about you, but we're feeling 22!

Happy 22nd Anniversary Chicago the Musical!

On November 14, 1996 the Chicago revival opened on Broadway and here we are in 2018, 22 years later, still going strong! We are playing to sold houses 8 times a week, thanks to our incredible cast, musicians and crew. What a team! I am forever grateful to be a small part of this legacy.

Check out our special 22nd anniversary video:

Broadway in Bryant Park

When I first moved to New York City, I remember finding out that every summer Bryant Park offers free concerts of Broadway shows and I just HAD to be there as often as I could.  For a struggling actor it was a gift from above to see Broadway stars without paying a dime.  This past week I got to be a part of the first Broadway in Bryant Park of 2018!  And the cherry on top was that I got to perform the role of Roxie Hart!  It was a full circle moment to know that there might be a struggling actor out in the audience who was watching me live my dream up on that stage and is inspired to keep working and striving and dreaming no matter what.  I am so thankful for where I am right now.  These highs allow me to look back on all the rejections, self-deprecating times, tearful phone calls to my mom, and career choice questioning.  I am on the right path.  It hasn't been easy, but hard work pays off!

Watch highlights of our performance here: 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay/BWW-TV-CHICAGO-Paints-the-Town-at-Broadway-in-Bryant-Park-20180714

Don't quit your daydreams!

Inside Broadway

Inside Broadway is an nonprofit organization that works with New York City public schools to enrich their students lives through musical theatre. On June 12th, I had the privilege of getting to perform some of "Chicago" for two sold out houses of students.  Some of these students have never had the opportunity to sit in a theater like the Ambassador Theater, much less see Broadway performers do what they love to do.  It was an experience I will never forget.  Singing and dancing for them and feeling their love and joy was so special.  Even after the show, coming out of the stage door they made me feel like a super star. "There she is!" "I love you. I'll miss you!" Followed by screams of excitement!  I love giving back to the community. Who knows, maybe we could have inspired one student in the audience to pursue a carer in musical theater and they could be the next big Broadway star!!

 

Roxie Hart

Being an understudy is hard work!  You must be able to perform a leading role at the flip of a hat. Sometimes even switching tracks in the middle of a show! I thrive on that pressure and thrill.  The shortest amount of notice I have received is one hour before curtain!  But other times it is pre-planned because of a Personal Day or vacation, which allows for friends and family to come and support me.  Getting to watch so many different Roxies perform every night helps shape my performance when I get to go on.  It will never be exactly what I want it to be because I never get to settle into the role, but there is excitement in flying by the seat of my pants and being in the moment and trusting that I know what to do and that my scene partners will be there with me.  

"Chicago" Turns 21!

We're finally legal! Yay!  Chicago opened on Broadway November 14, 1996 at the Richard Rogers Theater and here we are 3 theaters and 21 years later still going strong, 8 times a week on Broadway.  We had a little birthday party and it was fantastic! 

The Name on Everybody's Lips is Gonna Be....

....Jessica Ernest!

On Monday, October 16th, I made my Roxie Hart understudy debut.  It was an incredible night, surrounded by people I love, getting to perform a principle role on Broadway!  What a rush!  Honestly, I don't remember a lot of what happened that night, but I am proud of myself for being able to perform with 3 days notice.  Getting to play Roxie Hart was really a dream come true.  I love this show so much and getting to see it from a different perspective made me truly appreciate my cast mates and the show that we are putting on 8 times a week.  I know that next time I get to go on will be even better!

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Broadway in Bryant Park

Last week, I got to perform at Broadway in Bryant Park with "Chicago".  It is a weekly concert series held during the summer here in NYC at Bryant Park that showcases different Broadway shows each week.  We performed alongside "Miss Saigon" and "The Great Comet of 1812". I met Tony-nominee Eva Noblezada, who plays Kim in "Miss aiagon", and she was so sweet. I was fan-girling!! I love doing press and getting out to meet the fans and other Broadway performers!  We performed a few numbers from "Chicago" to a huge crowd.  If you are ever in NYC during the summer, make sure you check it out!