Chicago: Amra-Faye Wright and Huey Lewis to play Velma Kelly and Billy Flynn respectively


Amra-Faye Wright is to assume the role of Velma Kelly, from Brenda Braxton, in the Broadway musical Chicago from 20 Nov 2006, she will be joined by the previously announced Huey Lewis, who assumes the role of Billy Flynn, from Christopher McDonald, on the same date.

South African Amra-Faye Wright is to play the role of Velma Kelly from 20 Nov - 29 Dec 2006. She made her Broadway debut when she first played the role of Velma Kelly from 16 Jan - 16 Apr earlier this year. She has starred in the South African productions of Chicago, Grease and A Chorus Line.

As previously announced Grammy Award winner Huey Lewis is to star in the musical from 20 Nov 2006 - 15 Jan 2007. This will be Huey Lewis' second stint in the Broadway production of Chicago playing the role of slick lawyer Billy Flynn, he made his Broadway debut playing the role on 1 Nov 2005.

Huey Lewis came to fame with his band "Huey Lewis And The News" whose hits include 'The Power Of Love,' 'The Heart Of Rock'n'Roll,' 'I Want A New Drug,' 'If This Is It' and 'Do You Believe In Love' amongst others. The group, founded in 1980 (the year the group settled on their current name), has released 10 Cd's, the first in 1980 'Huey Lewis and the News', the last being '2005 live at the Rhino.' The group won a Grammy award in 1985.

Chicago also features Michelle DeJean as Roxie, Roz Ryan as Matron 'Mama' Morton, Rob Bartlett as Amos Hart and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

The musical has been playing on Broadway since 14 Nov 1996, it moved to the Ambassador Theatre on the 29 Jan 2003 where it is currently booking to the 25 Mar 2007. The show celebrated its 10th anniversary on 14 Nov 2006.

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

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

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.

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