Matteo Lane shares Broadway advice to celebrate his star turn in Chicago
And here are some other current Broadway recommendations.
Mark
A lead role on Broadway must be a dream for any performer, whatever their background. Matteo Lane is currently living that dream after landing the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago for a month-long run. The iconic musical is currently playing at The Ambassador Theatre in New York City.
Chicago made its debut in 1996 and is the second-longest running show in Broadway history (after the now-closed Phantom of the Opera).
Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the best LGBTQ+ travel guides, stories, and more.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today
To coincide with his appearance in the show, Lane has been revealing some special Broadway moments from his life and offering tips for theatergoers. Chatting to Broadway.com, he revealed that if he could watch any show on the so-called Great White Way, it would be Cats: The Jellicle Ball.
The first Elphaba he saw in Wicked was Stephanie J. Block, who “changed my life.” Block played the role in the first touring US production in 2005 and reprised in on Broadway in 2007-2008.
Asked which Broadway legend he would like to enjoy a drink with, Lane says, “Liza Minnelli, only because I can do a perfect Liza Minnelli, and I would do Liza Minnelli to Liza Minnelli and wait to see how long Liza Minnelli would see that I’m doing Liza Minnelli.”
His favorite Broadway album is the original Funny Girl. As for a Broadway hack, Lane suggests, “know the show and get up and run to the bathroom right before the last note before the intermission.”
Does Lane have any recommendations where to eat before or after a show?
“Well, get away from Times Square,” he advises. “There’s nothing worse than eating Times Square food before you go see real culture. It’s like the antithesis. You know what I’m saying? You can’t eat at Margaritaville and then go see art.”
Watch more insights below.
Lane began his run as Billy Flynn on June 22. He finishes on July 19. Dancer and choreographer Mark Ballas returns to the role on July 20. Other cast members include Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma Kelly and Krysta Rodriguez as Roxie Hart.
In another video, posted to his YouTube channel, Lane shared a backstage tour of the theater. This includes the stage, the costume department, and his dressing room.
Watch below.
Related
[PHOTOS] This year’s Broadway Bares brought heat AND broke records
These dancers had a license to strip!
What’s on Broadway of queer interest?
If Chicago is not up your street, Broadway always has productions of LGBTQ interest. Check out the following shows running now or soon.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball
The wholly revamped revival of Cats features no one dressed as feline characters. It instead transports the action into the ballroom scene. Iconic actor André De Shields is just one of several queer performers. The show has won critical plaudits and played to capacity crowds since opening at the Broadhurst Theatre in April.
Oh, Mary!
A campy gay play about Mary Todd Lincoln that has kept audiences coming back by rotating stars through its title role, from Cole Escola and Jinkx Monsoon to Jane Krakowski, John Cameron Mitchell, Maya Rudolph and, now, Meg Stalter. It’s running at the Lyceum Theatre.
The Rocky Horror Show
Directed by Sam Pinkleton and nominated for nine 2026 Tony Awards, this production at the iconic Studio 54 leans entirely into the immersive, counter-culture roots that made the show a global lifeline for generations of queer theatergoers, with Luke Evans giving an iconic performance as Frank-N-Furter.
Titanique
A Céline Dion-narrated Titanic spoof built on diva worship, impersonation and knowing audience recognition that leans hard into queer jokes and aesthetics, including numerous RuPaul’s Drag Race references. Frankie Grande and Jim Parsons are among the cast at the St James Theater.
Related
Jim Parsons, Frankie Grande, Tituss Burgess and more at the Broadway opening of Titaníque
The spoof musical about the Titanic, as re-told by Celine Dione, is now on the Great White Way.
Join the GayCities newsletter for weekly updates on the best LGBTQ+ destinations and events—nearby and around the world.
