Pamela Anderson is getting ready to razzle dazzle us with her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
A casting decision that makes so much sense, we're almost surprised it hasn't happened already, Anderson will embody the beautiful, whip smart — if a bit cunning — up-in-coming vaudeville star on stage starting April 12. For her part, however, Anderson was completely surprised (but delighted) when the opportunity presented itself.
“From Baywatch to Broadway. I am inspired by the unexpected,” Anderson told the AP in a statement. “This is it, and I will not hold back anymore. I am letting go. I am ready to see what I’m capable of. For Chicago, I’ll be putting all my cards on the table. I am doubling down — on me.”
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And we will be doubling down on getting tickets to what’s sure to be a captivating interpretation of the iconic character.
Roxie Hart (unlike industry veteran Anderson) is a star on the rise, and hungry for fame. After murdering her man-on-the-side, she seeks out the spotlight to escape conviction, trying to make it big by any means necessary.
Not one to play the villain in real life, the role will certainly be a change of pace for Anderson.
“Pam is a very moral person, extremely moral. She cares about animals. She cares about the planet. She cares about people,” said producer Barry Weissler. “The difference between her as Pam and Roxie is Roxie doesn’t care about anyone but herself, and she doesn’t give a damn about the outside world as long as she can be famous. So Pam comes with totally opposite attributes in life, but she fits because of her celebrity, what she’s gone through in life.”
Anderson’s life has been even more in the public eye than usual with the recent Hulu series Pam & Tommy fictionalizing her whirlwind romance with Tommy Lee, and an upcoming Netflix documentary detailing her own life.
According to Weissler, this isn’t the first time she’s been approached for the role, with past pursuits falling apart due to scheduling conflicts. But it was worth the wait.
“Now that we’re doing it, it’s even more opportune. It’s more timely,” shared Weissler, “She’s really standing for something now — as a professional, as an activist, as a very talented lady. She can surprise a lot of people. The woman has acting chops. She certainly can dance, and her singing voice is quite good. So here we go.”
Trading in choppy waters for acting chops, we can’t wait to ride this new wave with Anderson and will be giving her a standing ovation in no time.
Photo via Getty/ Edward Berthelot