Mamie Duncan-Gibbs has performed in Chicago the musical since its beginnings at the City Center Encores in 1996. She has performed the roles of Velma Kelly, the merry murderess Annie, and Matron 'Mama' Morton.
Mamie played the role of Annie most of the time, but has played Velma Kelly on the national tour, in Las Vegas and on Broadway opposite such luminaries as Marilu Henner, Belle Calaway, Karen Ziemba, and when she finally won the role between October 26, 1999 and January 16, 2000, she played it opposite Sandy Duncan.
She has also performed on Broadway in Jelly's Last Jam, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Liza Minnelli's performance at Radio City Music Hall.
Mamie is also one of the sweetest people you can ever meet. I run her webpage at http://www.geocities.com/mamiefanpage, and through the webpage, she has invited me backstage at Chicago.
I will be seeing Mamie as Annie in Chicago the musical (but I wouldn't mind seeing her as Mama or Velma) once or twice on May 28.