Pamela Anderson is continuing her 2022 career comeback with a coveted new gig on Broadway.

The 54-year-old will make her stage debut next month in the musical Chicago as Roxie Hart, The Associated Press reported on Monday.

Anderson will take on the role previously played by the likes of Erika Jayne and Christie Brinkley from April 12-June 5 at the Ambassador Theatre.

From Baywatch to Broadway. I am inspired by the unexpected,’ Anderson told the AP in a statement. ‘This is it, and I will not hold back anymore. I am letting go. I am ready to see what I’m capable of.’
She added: ‘For Chicago, I’ll be putting all my cards on the table. I am doubling down – on me.’

Set in the 1920s, the musical is a scathing satire of how show business and the media make celebrities out of criminals. It has Bob Fosse-inspired choreography, skimpy outfits and killer songs such as ‘All That Jazz’ and ‘Cell Block Tango.’

Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to leave her.

To avoid conviction, Roxie hires Chicago´s slickest criminal lawyer to help her dupe the public, media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by creating shocking headlines.

‘Pam is a very moral person, extremely moral. She cares about animals. She cares about the planet. She cares about people,’ said producer Barry Weissler.

Adding: ‘The difference between her as Pam and Roxie is Roxie doesn´t care about anyone but herself, and she doesn’t give a damn about the outside world as long as she can be famous. So Pam comes with totally opposite attributes in life, but she fits because of her celebrity, what she´s gone through in life.’

Weissler said he had approached Anderson about the Roxie part over a decade ago, but their schedules didn’t work.

Now that we’re doing it, it’s even more opportune. It’s more timely. She’s really standing for something now – as a professional, as an activist, as a very talented lady. She can surprise a lot of people,’ he said.

‘The woman has acting chops. She certainly can dance, and her singing voice is quite good. So here we go.’

The celebrity-craving heroine at the heart of Chicago has been played by dozens of women since the show opened in 1996, including Melanie Griffith, Christie Brinkley, Marilu Henner, Brooke Shields, Lisa Rinna, Gretchen Mol, Ashlee Simpson, Brandy Norwood, Jennifer Nettles and Robin Givens.

‘I have always been a huge fan of Bob Fosse’s & Gwen Verdon’s work,’ Anderson said in a statement to Deadline. ‘Ann Reinking, too. Playing Roxie Hart is a dream fulfilled.’

‘Performing Fosse, you don’t have time to get in your head. You can’t dance, sing and think at the same time. There is a freedom, a unique joy in knowing it’s all about the work. Playing Roxie Hart is a sweet escape for me.’

Anderson has been having a career resurgence as of late, following the Hulu series Pam & Tommy, starring Lily James and Sebastian Stan as the titular tabloid couple.

Last week the former Playboy centerfold shared that Netflix is doing a documentary about her life from Canadian girl next door to Hollywood pinup.

Pamela revealed on Instagram a handwritten note on Netflix letterhead with a red lipstick kiss mark at the bottom.

‘My life/ A thousand imperfections/ A million misperceptions/ Wicked, wild and lost/ Nothing to live up to /I can only surprise you /Not a victim, but a survivor /And alive to tell the real story,’ the note said.

Anderson’s son Brandon Thomas Lee is a producer on the doc. He reposted Pam’s note to his Instagram story and placed emphasis on emphasizing ‘the real story.’ Her other son Dylan Jagger Lee did the same.

According to the streaming service, the 54-year-old activist ‘is ready to tell her story in a new documentary.’

They continued: ‘The film, which has been in the making for several years, will feature the pop culture icon setting the record straight as she looks back on her professional path and her personal journey.’

There will be interviews with Pam and new images from her collection as well as notes from her journals.

There has been an intense focus on Pamela ever since the series Pam & Tommy debuted.

The series explores how her career ended after her sex tape with rocker husband Tommy Lee (played by Sebastian Stan) was stolen then sold.

Anderson has been portrayed as a victim whose career was ruined when Tommy’s disgruntled carpenter sold their home video that saw the two having sex.

source: DailyMail