Tina Arena
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Australian pop star Tina Arena is returning to the West End stage. The performer is taking over as Roxie Hart in the long-running production of
Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre from 2 April.
Arena previously appeared on the London stage playing the role of Esmeralda in the French musical Notre Dame de Paris that played at the Dominion Theatre in 2000. She also appeared onstage in the Australian production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and played Sally Bowles in the Sam Mendes production of Cabaret there. The Melbourne-born pop singer began her career, aged just seven, on an Australian TV series, Young Talent Time. She later emerged as an adult recording star with the album Strong as Steel in 1990, which included the single “I Need Your Body.” She released the album Don’t Ask in 1994, which included the hit singles “Chains,” “Heaven Help My Heart,” “Wasn’t It Good” and “Sorrento Moon.” Her next album, In Deep, released in 1997, was the highest selling Australian album of the year. Arena also recorded the theme song for the film The Mask of Zorro as a duet with Marc Anthony.
On her official website, Arena said, “Musicals are a different world… it’s really hard work, but I’m so excited to be back in the West End. I love
Chicago, it’s such a fabulous show and for me the opportunity to play Roxie and to be a part of such a great production is just awesome.”
She joins Chicago for a five-week season to 5 May only, co-starring with Annette McLaughlin who continues as Velma Kelly.