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We Take You Inside Ariana Madix's "Electric" Opening Night in Broadway's Chicago (PHOTOS)
Vanderpump Rules' Scheana Shay, Lala Kent, Dayna Kathan, and more cheered her on and The Daily Dish was on hand to experience the show first hand.
The name on everybody's lips is going to be... Ariana ... and The Daily Dish was seated and ready as Ariana Madix made her debut on Broadway in Chicago.
Fans packed into the Ambassador Theater in New York City on Monday, January 29, to see Ariana make her debut in the hit musical Chicago, the second-longest-running show in Broadway history. Seated among the fans were Ariana's mother, Tanya, as well as her boyfriend, Daniel Wai, who brought his girlfriend a bouquet of flowers.
But Tanya and Daniel weren't Ariana's only supporters. At least a dozen of Ariana's closest friends gathered for the big moment, including Vanderpump Rules castmates Scheana Shay and Lala Kent. They were joined by Ariana's close friends Dayna Kathan, Bradley Kearns, Logan Cochran, and more.
The show was sold out, with the box office selling last-minute tickets for standing room at the back of the theater. One usher told The Daily Dish that Monday nights don't usually sell out, making Ariana's opening night one for the books.
As the curtains rose at the start of the show, the audience roared with excitement and continued to cheer throughout the performance as Ariana hit every line and delivered every joke.
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Fans Support Ariana Madix on Broadway in Chicago
Arys Figueredo, an audience member and longtime Vanderpump Rules viewer, has seen the musical before but when she heard Ariana was playing Roxie, she jumped at the chance to see it again. "Why wouldn't I be here?" she said. "I'm rooting for her."
Attendee Melody Skipper, who describes herself as a "longtime Bravo and Vanderpump Rules fan," recalled Ariana's early days on the reality show, when she was still going to auditions and performing standup. Seeing her on stage, Melody said, was a "full-circle moment."
The excitement in the theater was palpable, with one attendee remarking that the show was basically a "mini BravoCon." Even the theater staff noticed, with usher Anastasia, who has worked at the theater where Chicago runs for the last five years, saying, "The audience's energy was very electric."
The night ended on a high note. By the end, everyone was on their feet, giving Ariana and the entire Chicago cast a standing ovation.
When the lights came on, audience members lingered to see if they could catch a glimpse of Ariana, though the ushers ultimately asked them to leave.
But even then, attendees stood outside the theater to wait in the cold in the hopes that Ariana would come out and sign their Playbill, on which Ariana was featured front and center.
Ariana Madix as Roxie Hart in Chicago: Dates and Details
Ariana will portray the fictional accused murderess through March 29. She joins an acclaimed cast that includes Amra-Faye Wright, Lili Thomas, Red Concepcion, Max Von Essen, and J. London.
Ariana's role in the musical fulfilled a lifelong dream of starring on Broadway. As Vanderpump Rules fans well know, Ariana moved to New York City with plans of becoming a stage actress. On the side, she began working as a bartender when she moved to Los Angeles.
"It wasn't getting anywhere so I moved to L.A. to try to make a name for myself, with hopes of coming back one day and doing it. Twenty years later, here we are," Ariana shared during a December appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Ariana Madix on Broadway: Erika Jayne Reacts to Chicago Casting
The role of Roxie Hart has previously been played by Melanie Griffith, Pamela Anderson, Christie Brinkley, and Brooke Shields, as well as Bravolebs like Erika Jayne — the latter even congratulated Ariana during a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
"Ariana, it's going to be the best experience of your entire life," the The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast mate said.
The Vanderpump Rules' Season 11 premieres Tuesday, January 30 at 8/7c on Bravo. Episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
