CHICAGO: Zoë Ventoura takes centre stage for a “bucket list role”

Posted on 2 September, 2024

Becoming a household name for her dramatic roles – from Home and Away to Doctor Doctor – actor Zoë Ventoura is no stranger to a tear-jerk moment. Let’s not even talk about her time on Packed to the Rafters.

So it might come as a surprise that a jazzy little number called the Hot Honey Rag was the thing that reduced Zoë to tears during rehearsals for beloved musical and Broadway sensation CHICAGO, which takes the stage at Canberra Theatre Centre from 7-29 September. Tears of happiness, that is.

Speaking about the experience of learning the choreography for the musical’s final number alongside co-star Lucy Maunder who plays Roxie Hart, Zoë says she found herself getting emotional.

“It sounds so cheesy, but we were literally tearing up in parts going ‘Oh my god, we’re learning this iconic choreography for this iconic show’. It’s just been such a gift.”

Lucy Maunder and Zoë Ventoura in the Hot Honey Rag.

It’s also the realisation of a long-held ambition for Zoë, who describes CHICAGO as a “bucket list” show. Classically trained as a dancer at the VCA, Zoë says she ‘fell’ into musical theatre after graduation, eventually moving into film and television acting. But she never gave up hope that one day, she might take to the stage to bring that beloved Bob Fosse choreography to life.

“When I heard they were remounting the show and they were auditioning Velmas and Roxies, it kind of rekindled something in me. It’s been such a long time since I was touring around with musicals in my twenties…But I thought, ‘Wouldn’t be great just to go in [to audition] do a bit of Fosse, have a sing, have a great day and just leave it there?”

With casting agents clearly not ready to leave it there, Zoë landed the role of Velma, CHICAGO’s femme fatale (well, one of many), and the tour opened to rave reviews at Perth’s Crown Theatre in late 2023. Starring alongside Zoë and Lucy are Anthony Warlow as smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn, Peter Rowsthorn as poor old Amos Hart and Asabi Goodman as the all-powerful Matron ‘Mama’ Morton.

Premiering in New York City in 1975, CHICAGO’s 1996 revival is the longest-running show currently on Broadway and was brought to life on the big screen in 2002. Even if you haven’t seen the show or film, you’re likely familiar with its non-stop-hit soundtrack, which contains classics like ‘All That Jazz’, ‘When You’re Good to Mama’ and ‘Mr Cellophane’ although Zoë says her favourite (apart from the ‘Hot Honey Rag’) has to be ‘Cell Block Tango’.

“Being up on stage with those five ladies – speaking those words and singing that song, doing that choreography – it’s so powerful and the audience just loves it.”

Speaking of audiences, there will be someone special in the Canberra audience who Zoë is very much looking forward to performing in front of – not that it will be her first time seeing the tour. Ruth Osbourne OAM might be one of Canberra’s brightest dance icons as Artistic Director of contemporary dance powerhouse QL2, but she’s also Zoë’s mum and her biggest fan.

Describing her as “relentlessly supportive”, Zoë says Ruth has already seen CHICAGO “about six times in about four different cities” but is of course “very excited about being front and centre on opening night”. No doubt much of Canberra will be joining her.

Ready to cell block tango the night away? Tickets are on sale for CHICAGO’s Canberra season – the final stop of their national tour. It would be a crime to miss it.

Feature image: Jeff Busby.