Source: Axious
Angelica Ross — star of FX’s “Pose” — debuted last evening as Roxie Hart in the hit musical “Chicago,” becoming the first openly transgender woman to star on Broadway, Axios’ Ina Fried reports from New York.
Why it matters: Ross’ groundbreaking role comes amid a legislative attack on transgender civil rights in states around the country.
Ross and co-star Amra-Faye Wright acknowledged the juxtaposition at the show’s end, telling the audience that the performance comes as many people question the future of America and what the country stands for.
A host of celebrities and members of the LGBTQ community turned up to see Ross’ debut, including writer and activist Raquel Willis and the cast of “Strange Loop,” another Broadway musical.
“It meant so much,” Ross told Axios after the show. “Especially when I looked out into the audience when the lights came up and I saw so much family — so many trans folks, so many non-binary folks.”