On Tuesday, Ivy expressed her gratitude at the Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul, saying that she’s incredibly honored to have the opportunity to perform in the birthplace of musicals, thanks to the support of many people. As a representative of Korean musical actors, she feels a great sense of responsibility and pressure.
Musical actress Ivy is set to make her Broadway debut in the U.S., reprising her role as Roxie Hart in Chicago, which she has performed 592 times in Korea. After passing three rounds of video auditions over the course of a year, she reflected that her entire acting career feels like Roxie Hart. Performing in another language is truly a miraculous experience.
Following her 592 performances as Roxie in Korea, Ivy will grace the stage of the Ambassador Theatre in New York from August 17 to September 6. She’ll be expanding on the role she’s honed in the Korean production since 2012, now performing in the original English on Broadway.
Park Myung-sung, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shin Company, commented that Ivy’s Broadway debut is a testament to the elevated status of Korean musicals. Park always believed the leading actors possess world-class talent, capable of shining on any international stage.
Since 2012, Ivy has participated in six seasons of the Korean production through 2024, embodying Roxie Hart in 592 shows, including a national tour. She noted that she’s played this role more than anyone else in Korea. It’s remarkable that Roxie has been such a significant part of her musical journey. It feels like she’s reached the pinnacle of her career.
Reflecting on her journey, Ivy shared that over time, she believes she has showcased a more nuanced and mature version of Roxie. In Korea, her name has become synonymous with the character – it’s truly become my signature role.
A Year-Long Journey: Three Video Auditions and Starting from Scratch
Ivy secured her Broadway opportunity after completing three rounds of video auditions over a year. She meticulously prepared two of Roxie’s signature songs and a lengthy monologue in English, addressing feedback on her pronunciation and intonation at each stage.
Ivy candidly shared that she’s only been seriously studying English for about a year and a half, and Chicago is such an quintessentially American work. During the auditions, she wasn’t very confident about her chances, given her Korean accent.
She elaborated that she found Chicago to be the most American work she’s encountered. While studying the English script, she was surprised by how much was omitted in the Korean version. The hidden meanings in the clever wordplay and lyrics were fascinating to uncover.
Regarding the audition process, Ivy explained that she recorded all three auditions on video. For the last two, director Kim Tae-hoon and music director Oh Min-young were present to provide accompaniment and direction.
She recalled the challenges, saying that even though she had memorized everything diligently, it wasn’t her native language. If she got flustered, she would freeze up and struggle to speak. While filming, she worried about whether she could actually perform on stage if she got accepted.
Ivy filmed her final audition video while in the U.S. She shared an anecdote that she heard from three classical musicians that the jazz music in Chicago was difficult to accompany. Eventually, a church deacon practiced all night to provide accompaniment and even lent me their home to film the video in their living room.
Intensive Training: Nine Native-Speaking Instructors Focus on English and Acting
Since her acceptance, Ivy has been immersed in English, voice, and acting classes, with a particular focus on pronunciation and accent. She dedicates most of her weekdays to Broadway preparation, working with nine instructors, including native speakers and active performers.
Ivy detailed her rigorous training that she’s working with nine native-speaking teachers in total. She’s not only improving her English but also learning about accent and acting from seasoned professionals – acting coaches, voice instructors, and native actors who perform on Broadway.
Reflecting on her journey, she admitted that she went through three auditions, and she’s sure she wasn’t perfect. But she thinks they saw her progress and potential. To Ivy, this opportunity feels almost miraculous.
Ivy expressed her gratitude, saying that her colleagues from previous productions have been incredibly supportive, congratulating me sincerely. Actors with international experience like Yang Jun-mo, Michael Lee, and Kim Soo-ah have praised me, but she still feels the pressure when she thinks about delivering the English lines.
The Broadway production team revealed they first met Ivy in 2012 when she was preparing for the Korean version of Chicago and have been consistently impressed by her talent. They stated that her progress in relearning the entire work in English is remarkable. They’re eagerly anticipating the day she showcases her triple-threat talents – singing, acting, and dancing – on the New York stage.
Chicago: Broadway’s Longest-Running Show Celebrates 30 Years
Chicago is a satirical look at media, the judicial system, and public obsession, set against the backdrop of 1920s jazz-era Chicago. The story cynically portrays how Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart transform from murder suspects into celebrity sensations.
CEO Park emphasized, Chicago is a satirical work that demands strong acting chops from its performers. While the songs may sound catchy, many are incredibly challenging to sing.
The production is known for its minimalist black costumes, Bob Fosse-inspired choreography, and a prominent 14-piece live jazz band center stage. Standout numbers include Velma’s sultry “All That Jazz” and the infamous “Cell Block Tango,” which gives voice to six female inmates.
The Broadway revival, which premiered on November 14, 1996, will mark its 30th anniversary in 2026. It has garnered six Tony Awards, an Olivier Award for Best Musical, and a Grammy for Best Musical Album. The show was also adapted into an Oscar-winning film in 2002.
Global Phenomenon: Chicago Spans 38 Countries and 500+ Cities
Chicago has dazzled audiences in over 500 cities across 38 countries, with a staggering global audience of approximately 35 million, according to the production company. Following the 2023 closure of The Phantom of the Opera, it now holds the title of the longest-running show currently on Broadway.
CEO Park reflected, Chicago has been the backbone of Shin Company. When the original productions underperformed, it’d schedule Chicago the next season to recoup losses – a strategy it has relied on for nearly two decades. It’s a treasured piece that gives them the courage to continue creating new, original musicals and plays.
Ivy’s journey with Shin Company began when she watched Chicago at the National Theater. CEO Park recounted that it suggested starting with a smaller role to ease her into the world of musicals, rather than overwhelming her with a lead. This led to Ivy’s musical theater debut in a supporting role in Kiss Me, Kate.
Describing her connection to her character, Ivy said that Roxie is a clever survivor who dreams of stardom even while behind bars. She’s always finding ways to navigate crises. Ivy sees a lot of herself in her – she has a resilient, always positive side to her personality that’s very Roxie-like. She concluded that she’s incredibly grateful for this opportunity and am determined to make the most of it, enjoying every moment on that Broadway stage.
