Chicago: Brent Barrett, Bryn Dowling, Bonnie Langford, Roz Ryan & Tom Farrell to join cast
Brent Barrett, Bryn Dowling, Bonnie Langford, Roz Ryan and Tom Farrell are to join the cast of the Tony Award winning musical Chicago during the summer.
Brent Barrett will play the slick lawyer "Billy Flynn" from 7 Jul - 9 Aug 2009, returning to the role he has played twice before on Broadway. His other Broadway credits include 'Annie Get Your Gun'(1999), 'Candide' (1997), 'Grand Hotel' (1989) 'Dance a Little Closer' (1983) and 'West Side Story' (1980). Barrett received an Olivier Award nomination for his starring role in the London premiere of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of 'Kiss Me, Kate.' He has recorded two solo albums - 'The Alan Jay Lerner Album' and 'The Kander and Ebb Album.'
Bryn Dowling is to play 'Roxie' from 15 - 28 Jun, followed by Bonnie Langford who will play the role from 29 Jun - 5 Jul 2009. As previously announced Samantha Harris will assume the role from 7 Jul 2009.
Bryn Dowling played the role of 'Roxie' on Broadway from 23 Feb - 8 Mar and again from 30 Mar - 19 Apr 2009. She previously understudied the role of 'Roxie' on Broadway, as well as performed the roles of 'Hunyak' and 'Mona.' Her other Broadway credits include 'The Producers' (Ensemble/Usherette: 2001) and 'The Frogs' (mulitple: 2004).
Bonnie Langford has previously played the role of 'Roxie' on three occasions in the musical's London production. This will be her second appearance on a Broadway stage, she made her debut as 'Baby June' in the 1974 revival of 'Gypsy.' In London she starred as 'Charity Hope Valentine' in the 1998 production of 'Sweet Charity.'
Roz Ryan is to play 'Matron "Mama" Morton' from 7 Jul - 30 Aug 2009. This will be her sixth appearance as Matron "Mama" Morton, a role she first played in 2002. Ryan's other Broadway credits include: 'Ain't Misbehavin' (1978), 'Dreamgirls' (1981), 'One Mo' Time' (2002) and 'The Pajama Game' (2006 revival).
Finally Tom Riis Farrell is to play the role of 'Amos Hart' from 15 Jun - 9 Aug 2009, assuming the role from Raymond Bokhour who plays his final performance on 14 Jun 2009. Farrell's Broadway credits include 'Coram Boy' (2007), 'Dirty Blonde' (2000), 'Wrong Mountain' (2000) and 1776 (1997).
Chicago currently stars Amra-Faye Wright (Velma Kelly), Charlotte d�Amboise (Roxie Hart), Tom Hewitt (Billy Flynn), ***Sof�a Vergara (Matron 'Mama' Morton), Raymond Bokhour (Amos Hart) and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).
Chandra Wilson assumes the role of '(Matron 'Mama' Morton' from 8 Jun 2009.
Now celebrating twelve 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 has been playing on Broadway since 14 Nov 1996, it moved to the Ambassador Theatre on the 29 Jan 2003. The musical has recently extended its booking period through to 20 Dec 2009.
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.
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