Ryoko Yonekura to return to 'Chicago' on Broadway
The actress has played Roxie Hart three previous times in the Broadway musical.
UPDATE: Yonekura has canceled her planned engagement in Chicago on Broadway.
The name on everybody's lips is gonna be Ryoko — again! Japanese actress Ryoko Yonekura will star in Chicago on Broadway for 16 performances in November. She will play Roxie Hart from November 7-20.
Yonekura first played the role of Roxie in the first Japanese production of Chicago in 2008. In 2012, she played the role on Broadway for the first time, later returning for limited engagements in 2017 and 2019. Yonekura is also a screen star whose credits include Netflix's The Journalist and the Japanese TV show Doctor X.
Chicago follows wannabe vaudeville star Roxie Hart as she lands herself in jail for murder. The key to getting acquitted is to win over the sensational press, so she competes with Velma Kelly, an established vaudevillian-turned-murderess, for the attention of a skilled lawyer that will get their names on the front page. The musical premiered in 1975, but the current revival has run on Broadway since 1996, making it the second-longest running Broadway show in history and the longest-running revival.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chicago about?
See why this second-longest-running Broadway show has razzle-dazzled so many audiences. A scorching satire of celebrity culture with classic Kander and Ebb tunes, Chicago shows how two ladies use showbiz pizzazz to get away with murder. Get tickets to witness the criminally fun revival that won six Tony Awards.
Where is Chicago playing?
Chicago is playing at Ambassador Theatre. The theatre is located at 219 West 49th Street, New York, 10019.
How long is Chicago?
The running time of Chicago is 2hr 30min. Incl. 15min intermission.
What's the age requirement for Chicago?
The recommended age for Chicago is Ages 13+. Children under 4 are not permitted..
How do you book tickets for Chicago?
Book tickets for Chicago on New York Theatre Guide.
Who wrote the Chicago musical?
The music for Chicago is written by composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb. Ebb also co-wrote the show's script with Bob Fosse. They adapted the musical from a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, also titled Chicago.
What songs are in Chicago on Broadway?
The songs for Chicago, written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, include "Cell Block Tango," "All That Jazz," "Razzle Dazzle," "Roxie," and "We Both Reached for the Gun." Learn about all the songs in Chicago on Broadway.
Is Chicago on Broadway appropriate for kids?
Chicago is not recommended for young children; the age recommendation is 13 and up due to its themes of murder, sex, crime, and adultery. Please note that children 4 and younger are not permitted in Broadway theatres.
When did Chicago open on Broadway?
The current production of Chicago opened in 1996. It was the musical's first revival following its 1996 premiere. Chicago is now the second-longest-running show and longest-running revival in Broadway history.
Who directed Chicago on Broadway?
Walter Bobbie directs the current production of the Chicago musical. He has worked on Broadway as a writer, director, and performer since 1971, and he's also known for staging musicals like Sweet Charity, Footloose, and Bright Star.
Is Chicago on Broadway good?
New York Theatre Guide's 20th-anniversary review of Chicago calls the show "a living, breathing piece of musical theatre history, which rightfully remains at the Ambassador Theatre and reminds us that all you need is class and, of course, all that jazz," rating it five stars. Chicago is now more than 25 years old, proving the lasting appeal of its story, songs, and talent.
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