New York City is a home of possibilities and dreams. One of them is many aspiring artists wanting to be on Broadway. The road to getting there is hard work, dedication, passion, and talent.
Most recently last year before COVID hit, the company of Chicago The Musical (which celebrates its 24th Anniversary today) teamed up with Broadway.com for a once in a lifetime talent competition entitled THE SEARCH FOR ROXIE. In case anyone may not know, this competition was to find a new leading lady to make her Broadway debut & star as aspiring vaudeville star turned MERRY MURDERESS "Roxie Hart" in the long running revival.
THE SEARCH FOR ROXIE originally began in January 2019 where over millions of hopefuls sent in their self-tape audition videos preparing a couple of special "Roxie Sides". All videos were reviewed and critiqued by Stewart/Whitley casting and several CHICAGO cast members (including longtime "Roxie" herself Tony nominee Charlotte d'Amboise). They broke it all down till they reached the TOP 10 semi-finalists.
From there, the TOP 10 finalists get voted by both CHICAGO and Broadway fans. This would then help determine the TOP 3 who immediately get a special American Airlines VIP treatment to fly to New York City and have their final callback audition in person.
After an intense bootcamp upon their arrival, the 3 finalists have their final callback. They are judged under the watchful eye of Stewart/Whitley Casting along with the revival's original MERRY MURDERESSES themselves Tony winners Ann Reinking (original "Roxie" and the revival's choreographer) and Bebe Neuwirth (original "Velma Kelly" who later went on to play both "Roxie" and "Mama Morton") along with another fellow longtime "Roxie" herself Bianca Marroquin.
After a crazy set of final decisions by the panel, the winning "Roxie" was Mississippi native Emma Pittman.
The newcomer was expecting to start her run in 2020. However, CHICAGO (and all Broadway shows) were abruptly shutdown on March 12th, 2020 due to the coronavirus. However, she is expecting to finally make her Broadway debut coming up in 2021 when Live Theater officially makes its long awaited RAZZLE DAZZLE return. We are so excited to see Emma REACH FOR THE GUN 8 times a week at Broadway's Ambassador Theatre.
In the meantime, follow the journey of Pittman's road to Broadway below. Broadway.com documented the entire audition process of THE SEARCH FOR ROXIE. It was hosted by both Paul Wontorek (of Broadway.com fame) and another fellow longtime "Roxie" Paige Davis.
Isn't this documentary so amazing to see what goes behind the scenes into an audition for a Broadway show?
Who is excited for Emma?!!!
Roxie Casting – Chicago the Musical
The longest-running American musical in Broadway history!
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