Musical theater actor Ivy is preparing to make her Broadway debut in the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre in Manhattan, running from May 17 through September 6. According to a press conference held on May 12 at the Korean American Association of New York, the upcoming engagement has brought back memories of her early career, with the performer noting that she feels like she’s returned to her early twenties.
Ivy stated at the Manhattan press gathering that walking the streets of New York made her feel like an international student who had just arrived to study English. To cope with New York’s notoriously high cost of living, she even packed a water purifier from South Korea, jokingly describing herself during the briefing as a “poor student.”
A Veteran Roxie Hart Steps Onto the Broadway Stage
The musical Chicago is set in 1920s Chicago and follows criminal characters Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart as they seek vaudeville fame. The production has played more than 12,000 performances over three decades at the Ambassador Theatre.
Ivy is far from a newcomer to the role. She first joined the Korean licensed production of Chicago in 2012 and has since appeared across six seasons, completing nearly 600 performances as Roxie Hart through 2024. Broadway producers have highlighted her extensive background, previewing her casting on the official production website by introducing her as a K-pop star and seasoned musical actor.
Overcoming Language Barriers and Finding New Motivation
Reflecting on the timing of her international casting, Ivy explained that the opportunity arrived during a period of professional exhaustion. “It’s an opportunity that came to me when I was growing tired of musical acting and losing my motivation,” she said, adding that the experience reinforced her belief that people should never let go of their dreams and hopes.
Communication remains her primary hurdle in the United States. While she noted that her English is currently limited to basic greetings and that daily interactions require conscious effort, she believes that diving straight into the environment without a translator is gradually improving her conversational skills. Describing the long-running show as her “life’s work,” she aims to connect with American audiences by expressing Roxie’s distinct character traits and emotional depth entirely through English dialogue.
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