Chicago The Musical, an interview with actress Amra-Faye Wright

Amra-Faye Wright is the protagonist of the musical Chicago.

Q. In musical Chicago you play Velma Kelly. Can you tell us about this character, please?

A. Velma Kelly is a woman of the world, a vaudeville dancer, who has been jailed for murdering her husband and her sister. She has befriended the Matron of the jail, Mama Morton, and is queen of the cell block until Roxie arrives. 

Velma is a resilient and experienced woman, and when she is knocked down, she bounces back with a new scheme to put herself back on top again. 

Q. Velma is a character with many chances. What do you like most? Do you have a character similar to her or not?

A. There are some parts of my personality that coincide with Velma’s, especially her resilience. I consider myself a “self-starter”, and that is how I see Velma. But like everyone, she has different facets to her personality, and there is also a vulnerable side to Velma, and I like to remember that when I play her. It gives the character depth. 

Q. Can you explain how the preparation for a Broadway show takes place?

A. Preparation for a Broadway show takes at least 5 years from conception to workshops etc. But Chicago is a revival of an earlier production in the 70’s. Rehearsal periods can be anywhere from 6-10 weeks. Once the show is up and running, we have clean-up rehearsal every now and then to make sure we keep the standard of the show high. 

Q. How was your passion for dance born?

A. I trained in ballet and jazz dance from a very young age – 6 years old. Dance class was always more important to me than anything else. I trained every day, and I still go to classes. 

Q. How do you keep fit?

A. I take good care of myself, and watch what I eat….but I don’t deprive myself of chocolate. I hate the gym, but I love to do physical work that brings a result, like gardening and building things. I walk a lot. Every day I do push-ups and sit-ups

Q. You also performed in Monte Carlo. 

A. That was a long time ago, I was first a dancer at the Sporting Club (I danced back-up for many stars like Whitney Houston and Donna Summer). Then a spent 2 years at the Cabaret du Casino as the lead singer. It was a wonderful time in my life. I would like to go back and work there one day.

Q. What is your next project?

A. I will be doing Chicago on Broadway until January 2019, then I go to perform in South Africa, and then Chicago again in Japan.

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