BWW Interviews: CHICAGO National Tour's Roz Ryan

"It's about murder, greed, corruption, and mayhem," says Roz Ryan, "...everything that's near and dear to our hearts." Who wouldn't love a show about that?! The National Tour production of Broadway favorite CHICAGO hits New Orleans' Saenger Theatre this week, and it's sure to be a hit! I recently caught up with Roz Ryan who play's popular character Matron Mama Morton. We talked a little about her career and a lot about what makes CHICAGO so great.

Ryan has a long-term relationship with CHICAGO. In fact, she has acted in more performances of CHICAGO than any other leading actress! "It's been 15 years, and in November CHICAGO will have been on Broadway for 17 years. I've been with it since 1999." Ryan said even though she has been with the show for so long, "it's always new because you work with so many people. It's a changing, evolving, new show every time you do it. It never gets old."

The story takes place in 1920s Chicago, Illinois, which is a very exciting but also a very dangerous time in American History. Many times when stories take place in the roaring 20s, we recall the parties and the fashion and prohibition, and we forget that at the same time people were committing these horrible, violent crimes. There was this weird phenomenon where criminals also had this sort of celebrity status, and CHICAGO showcases this. "They didn't have the Internet and cookie cutter celebrities back then. You don't even really need talent to become a celebrity now with reality shows. They didn't have that back then, but it was the sensationalism and excitement of corruption. Al Capone and them were in charge. Their power creates fame," comments Ryan.

Power creates fame, indeed! In CHICAGO, we see two jailed murderers fighting for fame. "It's is about a court case where a woman [Roxie Hart] kills her lover, and her husband takes the rap for it. She eventually goes to jail and there's another woman, Velma, who is already in there for murder. [Roxie] takes over and Velma doesn't like it," explains Ryan. "My character [Matron Mama Morton] pulls everything together. She makes it clear that if there's anything you want you have to go through her to get it... money, cigarettes, a lawyer. She's a loveable hustler." Although Ryan isn't a hustler, she does have some things in common with Mama, "I have over the top moments... [Mama's] aggressiveness, and funny, over the top moments. I say it's 50% what's on the page and 50% your personality that makes a full character."

CHICAGO isn't the only thing that Roz Ryan is known for. She got her start in show-biz singing in nightclubs, and enjoys performing live the most. But she has also done television, movies, commercials, concerts, and even voiceovers! Fans of Disney's HERCULES may recognize Ryan as the voice of Thalia the Muse of Comedy (aka the short muse known for shouting out, "Honey, you mean HUNK-ules!"). On her role in HERCULES, Ryan commented, "It was my first voiceover, and there was no ceiling. You can go over the top because there's no ceiling. You can go to the studio in your swimsuit, shorts, or no makeup. You can go over the top and have a good time." She has worked with Disney again on their upcoming television series K.C. UNDERCOVER.

Make sure to check out Roz Ryan as Matron Mama Morton in the unforgettable National Tour production of CHICAGO coming to the Saenger Theatre this week! Take her word for it: "Come sit back and relax and let us take you on an adventure you'll never forget!" Tickets and other information are available at http://www.saengernola.com.

Article may also be viewed here: http://www.nolabackstage.com/#!BWW-Interviews-CHICAGO-National-Tours-Roz-Ryan/ckwv/3E45917F-963F-40F8-9066-36BDDA26F691

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