Reprising the role of Roxie Hart in Broadway’s “Chicago” is a “dream come true” for Erika Jayne — especially after surviving a public scandal that mirrored elements of the famed musical.
“I’m a completely different human being. I’ve gone through so much and the words just hit a little different,” the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star, 53, told Page Six’s “Virtual Real-Tea” Tuesday night during a VIP celebration for her “Chicago” return at Branch, the new private members club at Park Terrace Hotel overlooking Manhattan’s Bryant Park.
“Doing this show hits a little different,” she elaborated. “There are certain things that hit a little too close to home sometimes.”
Jayne was roped into estranged husband Tom Girardi’s criminal case that played out across multiple seasons of “RHOBH.” In August 2024, the disbarred attorney was found guilty of embezzling more than $15 million through his former law firm, Girardi & Keese.
Though Jayne was often questioned by her Bravo castmates — and the public at large — about her knowledge of Girardi’s misdeeds, the “Pretty Mess” songstress vehemently denied involvement and has since risen above any associated reproach.
With her marriage in the rearview mirror, Jayne told “Virtual Reali-Tea” that she feels “very connected” to some of “Chicago’s” lyrical content — especially “Nowadays,” Roxie’s powerful finale number with fellow vaudevillain Velma Kelly.
“When you do something like ‘Nowadays,’ when you say something like ‘gone,’ ‘all gone,’ it is all gone for me,” she said, acknowledging that she had yet to file for divorce from Girardi during her first “Chicago” stint five years ago.
Her time on stage at the Ambassador Theatre was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My whole previous life when I was here is gone, so now there’s a new life,” Jayne explained. “There’s a lot of themes like that in the show that resonate.”
While the singer resides in Los Angeles, she admitted to “Virtual Reali-Tea” that she believes New York is the “best city in the entire world.” Jayne raved that she’s “so happy” to be back decades after moving to the Big Apple in hopes of starring on the Great White Way.
“I moved here when I was 18, so I have been in and out of the city for over 30 years. I love New York City,” she shared. “I haven’t been able to have much fun because we’ve been rehearsing and working, but I’ll get to it.”
Reflecting on her experience living in the Big Apple as an aspiring performer, Jayne said that attending “all of the ‘80s heyday shows” was a beloved pastime.
“I saw them all. I saw ‘Cats,’ I saw ‘Starlight Express,’ I saw ‘Les Mis,’” she said. “I saw them all.”
These days, Jayne is hoping to score a ticket to “Gyspy,” starring Audra McDonald.
“I really want to see ‘Gypsy,’” she said. “Everyone has been telling me, ‘Hey bitch, you need to get over to “Gyspy.”’”
The blonde beauty has a bit of time to check out the show. She’ll be in town for the next month or so as her “Chicago” run was recently extended through Feb. 23.
“I did about 80 shows five years ago and we were cut short. We had unfinished business. So I came back just for three weeks and now we got extended. It’s lovely,” she gushed.
“Look, any time that you’re able to do something that you really love, it’s a dream come true — especially doing this, as a kid of musical theater.”
