There used to be a time when actress Illeana “Illy” Kirven would get nervous when a show opened, but that time has passed.
The seasoned actress has been working in the theater professionally for more than 25 years with over 300 shows under her belt. She is currently appearing as Matron “Mama” Morton — a role she’s had since 2023 — in the touring production of Chicago, which will opens at Altria Theater on Friday and runs through May 11.
The winner of six Tony Awards, Chicago brought the razzle-dazzle to Broadway when it opened in 1975 for its original run and for the revival in 1996. The popular musical features two of Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses—vaudeville star Velma Kelly and chorus girl Roxie Hart—who become fierce rivals as they compete for headlines amidst a media frenzy.
While she may not show it on stage as “Mama,” a gusty, confident jail matron, Kirven was shy as a kid.
“I remember doing a play in elementary school,” says the Tyler, Texas native. “I thought ‘this isn’t bad.’ Who knew I would still be [performing] today. The bug hit me at that moment, and it stuck with me.”
Kirven made her professional debut in Showboat in Galveston, Texas and has now worked in the U.S. and South Korea.
She first performed the role of “Mama” in a Florida dinner theater production of Chicago in 2018 where she met the producer that eventually called her to help with the show’s South Korea tour.
“The person doing the role didn’t want to go,” she says of the 25th anniversary production. “I jumped in the role and stayed with it from then on.”
She admits she and “Mama” are different in some ways. Kirven describes herself as fun, engaging, caring and quite loving.
“My character in the show is a feisty business woman. She is in control of a lot of what’s going on in the prison,” she says. “She’s very happy to help the girls get what they need for their legal cases as long as they are willing to pay her the money. She’s all about being a business woman.”
To get into character, Kirven, who sings two songs in the show, stands offstage to the side and listens to the show through the intercom. “The story puts me in character as to what my character needs to do,” she says. “I know who she is and can stay in that character.”
She sees “Mama” as a fun character to play and enjoys the moments when the audience picks up on her character’s humor and reacts to her sly jokes. “I like the little touches in the show and the script,” she says.
What she finds interesting about the show is the fact that it is based on true happenings in Chicago in the 1920s. “I like how it shows the manipulation of the media,” she says. “Plus it has crazy beautiful girls singing, dancing and high kicking. It’s just really fun.”
She finds that the audience reacts differently in varying areas of the country. “When (vaudeville star) Velma Kelly first comes up, everyone starts cheering or sometimes there is just silence. I think it depends on how much the audience knows the show,” she says, adding that high school students who attend are often the most connected to show in their responses, which again vary. “I like that element of the show,” she says of watching the different reactions.
There are many reasons why people should come to see the show, she adds.
“It’s wildly entertaining and it can turn on a dime,” she says. “There are a lot of interesting characters and amazing male and female dancers. If you haven’t seen it or want to see it again, come on out. It’s a fantastic show.”
Chicago is recommended for ages 13+. Chicago The Musical is playing five shows at Altria Theater, Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11. Tickets are available at BroadwayInRichmond.com.
