Dancing with the Stars Duo Reunites as Mark Ballas Joins Chicago on Broadway

Dancing with the Stars duo Mark Ballas and Whitney Leavitt take the Broadway stage in Chicago. Ballas joins as Billy Flynn for a limited four week run through May.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 7, 2026, 11:43 AM EDT

Source: People

A Celebrated Return to the Ambassador Theatre

Ballas is no stranger to the demands of the Great White Way, and his return was met with a rousing standing ovation from a capacity crowd. During the curtain call, the seasoned performer took his bow alongside Leavitt, who famously broke box office records for the production earlier this spring. The professional synergy between the two was evident as Leavitt cheered on Ballas during his individual bow. This limited run is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, May 3, making it one of the most sought-after tickets of the spring theater season.

From the Ballroom to the Big House

The transition from competitive ballroom dancing to the "Razzle Dazzle" of Chicago appears to be a natural evolution for the pair. Having previously performed an Argentine Tango to the show's "Cell Block Tango" during their time on Dancing with the Stars, Ballas and Leavitt entered the rehearsal process with a pre-existing physical shorthand. Ballas noted that their established synergy allowed them to push the performance further, while Leavitt emphasized that their immediate connection from the television show has translated seamlessly into the theatrical environment of 1920s Chicago.

Ballas’s Expanding Broadway Resume

At 39, Mark Ballas has solidified his status as a multi-hyphenate entertainer with a robust stage history. His Broadway journey began a decade ago when he took over the role of Frankie Valli in the hit musical Jersey Boys, a position he held until the show’s final curtain in 2017. He later returned to the stage in 2018 to star in Kinky Boots. This latest stint as Billy Flynn marks his third major Broadway credit, further distancing him from being viewed solely as a professional dancer and establishing him as a leading man in musical theater.