Erika Jayne on Return to Chicago as Roxie Hart: “It’s Unfinished Business”

The name on everybody’s lips is gonna be Erika Jayne… again! On January 20, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills showgirl is headed back to Broadway’s Chicago for an encore as Roxie Hart.

Coincidentally, the “Xxpensive” singer’s 24-show stint, which runs through February 9 at the Ambassador Theatre in New York City, is kicking off almost exactly five years after she first made her Broadway debut in the role in early 2020. At the time, the blonde bombshell earned rave reviews, but her initial run as Roxie was brought to an unceremonious end when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Broadway — and the rest of the world — that March.

Half a decade since Erika last sang “I’m gonna be a celebrity/ That means somebody everyone knows,” the manifestation has come strikingly true — though perhaps not in a way she could’ve predicted. Eight months after Chicago’s sudden closure, the RHOBH star filed for divorce from her husband, high-powered L.A. lawyer Tom Girardi, after 20 years of marriage. Girardi’s carefully constructed public persona as one of the legal industry’s most powerful litigators soon came crashing down amid allegations of fraud and misappropriating millions in client funds, and Erika found herself dragged into the maelstrom of lawsuits, scandal and reputational damage.

Over the next few seasons, Erika’s legal woes, and her associated public downfall, became a major storyline on RHOBH. She operated in pure survival mode, followed the advice of her legal counsel and struggled to rebuild a life out from under her husband’s now-disgraced shadow. Despite facing a level of controversy that would crush anyone else, Erika soldiered on, refusing to quit the show that made her famous or take blame for her husband’s malpractice. (Erika, meanwhile, has been found innocent of any wrongdoing or dismissed entirely from multiple multi-million-dollar lawsuits.)

Now, as she prepares to take her first bow as Roxie 2.0, Erika’s diamond is shining brighter than ever. As her character sings in her big, namesake number in the show, “And who, in case she doesn’t hang/ Can say she started with a bang?” Erika Jayne, that’s who. And that’s showbiz, kid.

Ahead of jumping back into rehearsals, Erika sat down with Ticketmaster to spill the tea on her Broadway return, her newfound connection to Roxie’s struggle after weathering scandal in the court of public opinion, what Roxie’s Real Housewives tagline would be, and more.

You’re back on Broadway, baby! Congratulations!

Hey! Thank you so much. It’s so great. Five years — to the month, really — back on Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago. And so much has happened since the last time. I’m just looking forward to getting back on Broadway and doing what I love, which is being on stage and entertaining people. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I just feel really good about it. Come see the show!

You were 80 shows into your original run as Roxie Hart when the pandemic hit and shut down Broadway in 2020. How did you process that at the time?

Well, I was 16 shows short of completing my three-month contract. I think that I, like the rest of the world, was caught off guard. No one knew what COVID was, it was spreading, and all of our lives, they’ve never been the same since March of 2020. Which is what makes this return so sweet — it’s almost completing unfinished business. And I’m grateful for the opportunity. Chicago‘s just a legendary show and there really is no better role than Roxie Hart. It’s great to be back on Broadway… there’s nothing like that.

What are you going to expect it to be like jumping back into rehearsals?

I expect it to be a little overwhelming. You know, you want to do a great job! Let’s be honest, it’s a big role in a well-known show, and I want to do my best. I have a week, all said, so…

Listen, 80 shows are in my body somewhere, and in my brain. When I was in New York this week, I went down and got fitted for costumes and my shoes from five years ago were there. I put my feet back in my old shoes, and I’m ready to be Roxie. You know what I mean? Like, I’m ready! It’s like they called [me] up and said, “Hey, can you get over here and do it?” and I said, “Hell yeah I can.”

Which of Roxie’s songs are you most excited to revisit on stage?

OK, that’s a really good question. I’m excited to see what “Roxie” does. Like, the number, the monologue. Her big moment, I think, is really cool. And there’s nothing like her entrance: “Funny Honey,” being on a ladder. I thought, “Oh my god, I gotta get on that ladder again.”

Also, “Me and My Baby,” recreating that sort of vaudeville opening of the second act. There’s the courtroom, which is also, in my opinion, a musical number ’cause it’s set to music. And then “Nowadays” and “Hot Honey Rag!” And to think that it’s going to be on Inauguration Day! [laughs] My god. It makes the ending speech that Velma and Roxie give about this country and justice…you know, the whole thing is so loaded. Like, if you think about it, it’s loaded.

And I can’t believe this, but I didn’t learn until recently that the musical is based on a pair of real-life murders that happened in Chicago during the Jazz Age.

It is based on true crime! I remember reading that when I first got the role years ago, and that this was based on two women [Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner]. They were performers, wannabe performers. I think one was a nightclub act and one wanted to be — it’s very close to the truth. And I think that that also speaks to why Chicago has remained so relevant, is because it’s really talking about just basic human behavior. That never goes away, you know?

Obviously, the original Broadway production was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, and his iconic choreography style is still the foundation of the revival. What is the secret to mastering Fosse?

The legacy. The people like [Chicago assistant choreographer] Greg Butler who keep the legacy alive — who keep Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, Ann Reinking, and that vocabulary alive. It really is handed down. It’s important. Because it is a work of art, you know? It’s a body of work that is kept alive. Down to the hands, the wrists, the fingers, the knee pops, the songs.

After you announced your return, this never-before-seen clip from Season 12 of RHOBH resurfaced, where Garcelle Beauvais shades you in a confessional, saying, “Oh my god, the chances of another Broadway show asking Erika Jayne back? It’s not gonna happen.” What was your reaction to seeing that?

I think it’s pretty spot on for Housewives. And the truth is, who cares? You know, I have a job to do. I have an opportunity. I’ve pulled my life together. So, what? Movin’ on.

Does this feel like vindication at all, though, towards some of your castmates who haven’t been that supportive?

Not really. I just don’t look at life that way. I have a mission that is: to rebuild my life. I cannot control what others think or say. What I can control are my thoughts, what I do, and go on. And I’m here now, and that’s the most important thing. People are gonna do and say whatever they want, let them do what they want. I could waste my time worrying about what they think or I can spend my time pulling myself together and I choose to spend my time on me.

Totally! And you’re a little bit busy being back on Broadway, so…

Yeah, I have this thing called Broadway and it requires my attention [laughs].

On Watch What Happens Live in early January, you also talked about art sort of imitating life and how you’ve become this real-life Roxie Hart of sorts since you were last on Broadway. Given everything you’ve gone through in the last few years, do you relate to the character on a different level now?

Well, of course! When you go to deliver that monologue — having gone through [sighs] heavy media scrutiny, heavy public scrutiny, and, like, the words “gone,” “all gone.” There’s certain things that just are true, you know? Let’s not get into the legal side of it, but when you look at the personal story of it all, it’s kind of… it’s kind of weird. You know, just saying some of these things like, “Let me tell you something, all my life I always wanted my name in the papers,” it’s like… yep, some of those things just hit a little differently.

In between your turns as Roxie, you also headlined your Las Vegas residency, Bet It All on Blonde. What did you learn from that experience that you can apply to going back to Broadway?

That I can do it! I mean, when you have your own show, it’s a big undertaking — making that entire thing happen and filming a special [2024’s Erika Jayne: Bet It All On Blonde] on top of it. It just confirms that I’m in the right place, at the right time, doing what I should be doing. I should be on stage, I should be performing, and that’s really what it means to me.

Switching gears to this season of RHOBH, it’s been really nice seeing you be the support that Dorit Kemsley really needs through her separation with PK, and also maintaining your friendship with Kyle Richards. Were you surprised to step into the role of mediator and be the sort of calm, cool head amid their feud this season?

Well, look, I’m in the middle of two women that are going through the worst time in their lives and, having been there myself, I think that I can offer just a little bit of support somehow, some way. I know what it’s like. And that’s what I was there to do, just be supportive. Everybody’s going to handle these huge life situations differently. Some people are patient; some people are not. Some people collapse; some people don’t. It’s a human experience and I’ve gone through it.

On the show, we also just saw the single release party for your song “Dominos” at the Viper Room. Which, like, how cool is that?

It’s legendary, right?

As I was watching, I was thinking, “Erika’s probably the only Housewife that has enough cred to get Bravo cameras into the Viper Room.”

It was a great event. I mean, you saw just a little bit of it, but it was connected to Pride and there were some great performers there. I was just there releasing the single and hosting, and it was a fun night. I thought it was great. The Viper Room is so legendary, and you know, it’s nice to be able to show that to other people around the world.

So what’s next for Erika Jayne the pop star?

Honey, let me get home from Broadway! Let me pull these 24 shows off and then it’s time to make some new music. And I’m actually going to London to do Mighty Hoopla in June, which I’m so excited about. And I’m sure that I will be out here on TV, making music, doing my thing and performing.

Can you tease anything else about what’s to come the rest of the season?

Lemme see, where are we? We’re at the Viper Room. You know what? Our trip to St. Lucia’s pretty great. We get into it, and we get to wear some really cool costumes. And the whole “kicking women when they’re down” conversation continues on. It’s something that I’ve said for years. But, you know. Here we are. [Some people] may never learn.

Do you think Roxie Hart would have what it takes to be a Real Housewife?

Not only does Roxie Hart have what it takes, she would have run so many psychological circles around those women.

What would Roxie’s Real Housewives tagline be?

Oh, s–t. I mean, obviously, “I did it, yes, but I’m no criminal!” And don’t you let that be the headline of this article because people will think I’m confessing to something! Let’s be super clear, ’cause these people are nuts. If Roxie Hart had a tagline, it would be, “I killed him, yes, but I’m no criminal.”

Tickets to Chicago are available on Ticketmaster.