‘It’s always opening night.’ Actress relishes role of Mama in the production ‘Chicago’

Illeana “Illy” Kirven hasn’t taken the time to count how many performances she’s given as jail matron/theatrical agent “Mama” Morton in the touring production of “Chicago.”

“Holy moly,” she said from a hotel room at a tour stop. “I may be reaching close to 700 or more. This is my third time out and we usually do eight a week.

“I’m pretty sure it’s astounding,” Kirven added. “I don’t feel like I’ve done that many. It still feels fresh and new to me, and the audiences always make it feel like it’s always special every time, and that’s what I love about it.”

The prospect of a new-to-her theater, new dressing rooms, new lobbies and a new city to explore at every stop — as she and the cast will when they land later this week here for Broadway in Wichita performances — keeps everything fresh, she said.

“It makes you feel like you’re opening every time,” Kirvin said. “It’s always opening night.”

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, and 1 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Century II concert hall in Wichita.

Kirvin is Mama on-stage and off, including being in charge of the cast’s Secret Santa gift exchange and shepherding the newcomers on tour.

“You still see the sparkle and everything, too,” she said. “I think I still have that sparkle. That’s what it feels like.”

The Tyler, Texas, native jumped onto the tour when it was beginning to tour South Korea. A fan of K-Pop music, she jumped at the chance.

“South Korean audiences love this show,” she said on her tour, where the cast sang in English and super titles translated into Korean. “It resonates with the people. They know this show so well that they could probably sing it in English and Korean.”

Once the tour left, its Korean co-producer launched a Korean-language version to play there.

Kirvin said she didn’t know what to expect from the Korean audience.

“They’re not as boisterous and loud throughout the show, but they’re really paying attention and they’re quiet and they laugh,” she said. “And at the end of the night, they’re on their feet, just like American audiences are. They get it.”

The Wichita performance is the last of the calendar year for the company, which will take a two-week holiday break before resuming in January in Kansas City.

“Chicago,” which debuted in 1975 on Broadway, has enjoyed a 28-year revival on Broadway, and is one of the rare shows with a current Broadway run and a long-running touring cast.

Should Broadway come knocking, Kirvin said she’d accept.

“I haven’t really thought about that a whole lot because I’m definitely living in the moment,” she said. “But if that would come my way, I would consider it.”

Kirvin said she likes being the mother hen to the cast, “but sometimes I’m the goofiest.”

“I know I look cool and composed on stage,” she said, “but I’ll probably trip over something when I walk off.”

‘CHICAGO’ BY BROADWAY IN WICHITA

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20; 2 an 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22

Where: Century II concert hall, 220 W. Douglas, Wichita

Tickets: $55-$80, from the Century II box office, selectaseat.com and 316-755-7328

This story was originally published December 15, 2024 at 5:00 AM.