NWSL forward Midge Purce delivered the opening monologue in Chicago on Broadway on Thursday, May 1
She called the experience “so so special” after the show
Purce appeared in the show to promote Gotham FC’s upcoming Broadway Night on May 16
Margaret “Midge” Purce can do it all!
The USWNT and New York Gotham FC forward, 29, proved she’s a star on the pitch and on the stage when she made her Broadway debut in Chicago on Thursday, April 1 in New York City.
Purce, who has been with Gotham since 2021 after stints with the Boston Breakers and Portland Thorns, delivered the show’s opening monologue, starring in the production alongside model Ashley Graham, who plays the lead role of Roxie Hart.
“It’s an incredible honor to step onto the Broadway stage in Chicago,” Purce said in a press release ahead of her debut.
Midge Purce/instagram
USWNT forward Midge Purce makes Broadway debut in ‘Chicago’ on May 1
She continued, “I’ve always poured my heart into everything I do, and this is no different. Performing in a show with such legacy and power is something I take seriously — and I couldn’t be more excited to embrace this challenge and celebrate the magic of live performance.”
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After the show, Purce shared photos from the performance on Instagram with the caption, “To everyone who said I was dramatic, you were right 😂 #broadway.”
She added, “Thank you to everyone who made this so so special 🙏🫶.”
Midge Purce/instagram
USWNT forward Midge Purce makes Broadway debut in ‘Chicago’ on May 1
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Including Purce in the show was an idea from Chicago’s marketing team, according to The Athletic, in an effort to introduce new audiences to Broadway and promote Gotham FC’s upcoming Broadway Night game on May 16.
“Women’s sports and folks who buy tickets for the theater are very similar,” Whitney Britt told The Athletic. Britt, the founder of Two Dog Circus agency, which works on promotion for Chicago, added, “They are both live entertainment audiences that are willing to spend a decent amount on a ticket and want to come out and have a good time.”
Midge Purce/instagram
USWNT forward Midge Purce makes Broadway debut in ‘Chicago’ on May 1
Purce told The Athletic that she’s become a Broadway fan since her boyfriend started taking her to shows. “My boyfriend takes me to shows on my birthdays,” she said, adding, “I loved Wicked. And I regret not watching Hamilton with the original cast.”
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Now that she’s experienced Chicago from the stage, Purce told the outlet she’d want to play Velma [Kelly] if she went on to star in the show. She said she loves how “spunky” the character is and “a bit more complex than other people realize.” The role of Roxie, however, is “not my vibe,” said Purce.
In her NWSL career, Purce has excelled. She became the second player in league history to assist on two goals in a championship game in 2023 when she helped lead her team to a title over the OL Reign.
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