Queen Latifah Starts “Chicago”'s 30th Anniversary Tribute at 2026 Tony Awards but Pink Steals the Show with 'All That Jazz'
Queen Latifah Starts “Chicago”'s 30th Anniversary Tribute at 2026 Tony Awards but Pink Steals the Show with 'All That Jazz'
Jack Smart, Dave Quinn, Caroline KillileaMon, June 8, 2026 at 1:53 AM UTC
0
Pink performs during the Tony AwardsCredit: Theo Wargo/Getty -
At the 2026 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 7, Chicago celebrated its 30th anniversary with a starry performance featuring Queen Latifah, Pink, Whitney Leavitt and more
Broadway's longest-running American musical first opened in 1996, and is currently playing at the Ambassador Theatre in New York City
The 2026 Tony Awards air on CBS and stream on Paramount+
Chicago brought some razzle dazzle to the 2026 Tony Awards.
Broadway's longest-running American musical celebrated its 30th anniversary at the ceremony on Sunday, June 7, with a cast of superstar special guests taking the Radio City Music Hall stage for a major medley of hits.
The performance was anchored by Queen Latifah, who was Oscar-nominated for her portrayal of Matron "Mama" Morton in Chicago's 2002 film adaptation. She introduced the number, kicking it over to Tony winner Alex Newell, who started the tribute medley with a rousing rendition of "When You're Good to Mama" after playing the role on Broadway earlier this season.
Pink onstage at Radio City Music HallCredit: Theo Wargo/Getty
"At 30 years and counting, Chicago has proven to have more than just staying power," Latifah said. "And I count myself lucky to share in that legacy."
From there, the camera cut to the audience where another Chicago song — "Cell Block Tango" — began with Dylan Mulvaney, Whitney Leavitt, Adrienne Warren, Julianne Hough and Jesse Tyler Ferguson — stepping in for the six merry murderers of the Cook County jail. The action then returned to the stage, where the ensemble from the current company of Chicago took over.
All led to the medley's grand finale, Tony Awards host Pink performing Velma Kelly's big number, "All That Jazz." The Grammy winner didn't miss a beat, nailing Bob Fosse's iconic choreography while belting out the iconic John Kander and Fred Ebb tune.
Whitney Leavitt in 'Chicago' on BroadwayCredit: Bruce Glikas/Getty
— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Advertisement
Created in the early 1970s by Kander, Ebb and Fosse and based on the 1926 play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins, Chicago follows killers Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two murderesses who use their criminal notoriety to find fame in the Vaudeville circuit.
The musical's original, Fosse-directed production ran from 1975 to 1977 with Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera originating its lead roles. The revival, directed by Walter Bobbie, opened in 1996 starring Ann Reinking and Bebe Neuwirth, and went on to win six Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Latifah starred in the 2002 Rob Marshall-directed film adaptation alongside Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere. It earned six Oscars including Best Picture.
But Broadway still remains the gold standard. Over the past 30 years, the musical has seen a slew of celebrities step into the musical, including Pamela Anderson, Ariana Madix, Brandy, Michael C. Hall, Christie Brinkley, Melanie Griffith, Kandi Burruss, Billy Ray Cyrus and more.
Earlier this year, Leavitt broke box office records when she played Roxie.
The revival shows no signs of stopping. Just last week, PEOPLE announced exclusively that comedian Matteo Lane will join the cast as slick-talking lawyer Billy Flynn beginning Monday, June 22. It will be his Broadway debut.
The 2026 Tony Awards air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
