Chicago: Amy Spanger to return as Roxie Hart

Amy Spanger will reprise the role of merry murderess 'Roxie Hart' in the Tony Award-winning hit musical Chicago beginning 14 Sep 2012. Spanger assumes the role from Tracy Shayn who will play her final performance on 13 Sep 2012.

Spanger, who first made her Chicago debut as 'Roxie Hart' on Broadway in 2002, returns to the production this month after recently starring as 'Gwendolyn' in David Hyde Pierce's production of 'The Importance of Being Earnest' at the Williamstown Theater Festival.

On Broadway, Spanger's credits include roles in the original casts of 'Elf,' 'Rock of Ages,' 'The Wedding Singer' and the revival of 'Kiss Me, Kate,' plus the Tony Award winning productions of 'Urinetown' and 'Sunset Boulevard.'

Chicago currently features Terra C MacLeod (Velma Kelly), Tracy Shayne (Roxie Hart), Brent Barrett (Billy Flynn), Carol Woods (Mama Morton), Raymond Bokhor (Amos Hart) and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).

As previously announced, country music star Billy Ray Cyrus will make his Broadway debut in the role of 'Billy Flynn' beginning 5 Nov 2012.

Now in its sixteenth year 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, longest-running American show in Broadway history, and Broadway's fourth longest running show.

The show 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 period through to 6 Jan 2013.

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 fouth longest-running production in Broadway history, as well as Broadway's longest-running musical revival.