Every year since 2001, Amra-Faye Wright has starred as Velma Kelly in a world-wide production of Chicago. She’s played the U.K., Europe, Japan and her native South Africa; she’s headlined the record-breaking Broadway production more than 11 different times.
She is, without a doubt, an expert in Velma Kelly. So you can imagine how giddy we were for her to share with BroadwayBox the secret to her legendary creation and her three biggest Velma inspirations.
![Velma Kelly- Chicago- Chita Rivera- Bebe Neuwirth- Amra Faye Wright](https://img.broadwaybox.com/photo/image/Velma-Kelly.jpg)
The first thing would definitely be following in the footsteps of iconic performers like Chita Rivera and Bebe Neuwirth, because they set a standard and you've got to reach for that level. That was my first inspiration—to create something as wonderful as they did.
![Kander and Ebb- Songs- Scores- Broadway- Shows](https://img.broadwaybox.com/photo/image/Kander-and-Ebb.jpg)
Secondly, you can’t help but find inspiration from Kander & Ebb’s score. I’m just gaga about anything they ever did. The music speaks for itself. I’m standing in a black box under the stage when the “All That Jazz” vamp starts, and you get an injection of her. Then the lift comes up and light hits you and boom.
![Chicago- Original Broadway Cast Recording- Record](https://img.broadwaybox.com/photo/image/Chicago-Record.jpg)
I first came across Chicago when I was an exchange student in America many, many years ago. I saw the record of the original production in a record store, and what caught me was the cover. I had never seen something so unusual—all these willowy women in underwear—and I bought the record, not knowing anything about it. I listened and as soon as I heard the music, I was hooked.
See Amra-Faye Wright in our show of the month, ‘Chicago’ at Broadway’s Ambassador Theatre.