Chicago: Amra-Faye Wright and Carol Woods

The Broadway musical Chicago welcomes back two of its leading ladies on 13 Jul 2010.

Amra-Faye Wright returns to the role of 'Velma Kelly' from 13 Jul - 3 Oct 2010, assumming the role from Terra C. MacLeod who played her final performance on 11 Jul 2010.

Since 2005, Amra-Faye Wright has played the role of Velma Kelly throughout the world -- including Broadway, London's West End; Johannesburg and Capetown, South Africa; and on tour throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. She recently appeared in the Japanese production of Chicago 9 Jun - 4 Jul 2010, playing the role of 'Velma Kelly in the Japanese language.

Wright's other theatrical credits include 'Vi Moore' in 'Footloose' (UK Tour), 'Sandy' in 'Grease' (Johannesburg Superbowl) and 'Sheila' in 'A Chorus Line' (Civic Theatre, Johannesburg). She has written and performed several one-woman shows, including 'It's Not Where I Start,' 'Drinks on Me' and 'Rouge Pulp.'

Carol Woods returns to the role of 'Matron "Mama" Morton' from 13 Jul - 29 Aug 2010, assuming the role from Terri White who played her final performance on 11 Jul 2010.

Carol Woods has appeared as 'Matron "Mama" Morton' on Broadway, on several national tours and multiple international productions since 1997.

On the big screen, she appeared as a featured soloist in Julie Taymor's 'Across the Universe,' performing a gospel rendition of the iconic Beatles' hit "Let It Be," which she later reprised on the 2008 Grammy Awards broadcast. Woods' other feature films include 'Steam, Sweet and Lowdown,' 'Honeymooners' and 'Stepping Out.'

In addition to Chicago, Woods' Broadway and National Touring credits include 'The Full Monty,' 'One Mo' Time,' 'Follies,' 'Smokey Joe's Cafe,' 'Stepping Out,' 'The Goodbye Girl,' 'Grind,' 'Big River' and 'The Crucible.'

Her London stage credits include 'Blues in the Night' (Olivier nomination) and 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.'

Chicago now stars Amra-Faye Wright (Velma Kelly), Ruthie Henshal (Roxie), *Colman Domingo (Billy Flynn), Terri White (Mama Morton), Tom Riis Farrell (Amos Hart) and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).
*John O'Hurley assumes the role of 'Billy Flynn' from 20 Jul.

Now celebrating thirteen years on the Great White Way, Chicago is the second longest-running production currently playing on Broadway, as well as Broadway's longest-running musical revival.

The show opened on Broadway on 14 Nov 1996, it moved to the Ambassador Theatre on the 29 Jan 2003.

Chicago follows not your usual housewife, Roxie Hart, who gains dubious notoriety when she kills her boyfriend, invents her defence and manipulates everyone from her trustworthy husband to the fickle media and the unsuspecting public. The show features the well known songs, 'All That Jazz,' 'Razzle Dazzle' and 'Mr. Cellophane'.

Chicago has music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Book by Bob Fosse & Fred Ebb.

The musical is directed by Walter Bobbie, with choreography by Ann Reinking, scene design by John Lee Beatty, costumes by William Ivey Long, lighting by Ken Billington and sound by Scott Lehrer.

Chicago is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. It is the eighth longest-running production in Broadway history, as well as Broadway's longest-running musical revival.