Camil Makes Broadway History Opposite Bianca Marroquin in “Chicago”

Jaime Camil is making historia

The 42-year-old Mexican actor and Jane the Virgin star has made Broadway history.

Jaime Camil

With his performance in Chicago on Monday night, it’s the first time, two Mexican-born actors have lead a Broadway musical, as he plays Billy Flynn opposite Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart.

“One of my dreams has always been to be in a Broadway musical,” says Camil, who has led musicals in Mexico City including West Side Story, Hook and Aladdin. “I love the stage — the fact that you only have one take to get it right, the interaction with the audience, and how every show is different even though you’re doing the same thing.”

Eleven years ago, Camil nearly made his Broadway debut in The Mambo Kings —until producers pulled the plug on the musical adaptation just weeks before previews were to begin.

But Camil has finally had his moment on the Great White Way stage…

“Chicago is amazing because there’s no special effects or explosions. It’s just a group of talented human beings doing amazing things,” he says. “Billy Flynn is a character who manipulates these people like puppets. Everything happens because of him; it’s not a matter of if he’s going to win a case, it’s a matter of when. I love that he’s the mastermind behind everything that happens. He’s a fun character to play.”

In “All I Care About,” Camil even throws in a line in Spanish.

“That was the stage manager’s idea! When Eddie George was in this, he did his signature touchdown dance in ‘Razzle Dazzle.’ So when the girls are fondling me behind their feathers, I say in Spanish, ‘Oh please, stop it — you know I like it!’ It works nicely for the Spanish-speaking fans who come to the show.”

Camil will continue appearing in Chicago through July 31 at the Ambassador Theatre.