Masterton actress Ellen Simpson, 18, is putting the razzle-dazzle into the touring musical Chicago, starring alongside such entertainment greats as British comedian Michael Barrymore and veteran New Zealand star Tina Cross, reports SALLY TRUMAN
Simpson plays the lead role of adorably lethal blonde, Roxie Hart, belting out such well-known numbers as
Funny Honey and Roxie, while Cross plays Velma Kelly, the husky temptress with a murderous streak, and Barrymore is smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn.
The daughter of Masterton-based actors Michael Wilson and Joanne Simpson, former Wairarapa College pupil Simpson is an accomplished performer when it comes to musicals, having starred in the school's productions of Oliver! and Les Miserables.
She also honed her considerable dancing talent at the Geraldine Inder School of Dancing & Drama in Masterton's Colombo Road.
Pat Snoxell, Chicago's co-director and producer yesterday described Simpson as "a young, up-and-coming star".
"She did a very good audition," he said, "which brought our attention to her."
Simpson has just finished starring in Big River, a Tony award-winning musical about Huckleberry Finn, at Wellington's Downstage Theatre.
She learned that she had won the part of Roxie in November after attending a last minute audition.
Of her co-stars, Michael Barrymore and Tina Cross, she said:"They're great. They're really nice people. Tina has played Roxie before so she's got a few tips to pass on."
Chicago opens at the Regent on Broadway in Palmerston North from Thursday March 3 and plays until Saturday March 12. It will then tour the North Island, showing at theatres in Hamilton, Napier, Takapuna and New Plymouth.
