Chicago: Carol Woods returns as 'Matron 'Mama' Morton'

Carol Woods returns to the role of Matron "Mama" Morton, the reigning cell block diva of the Cook County Jail, on 5 Jan 2009, a role she has played numberous times in the Broadway musical Chicago.

Woods assumes the role from LaVon Fisher-Wilson who played her final performance on 4 Jan 2009.

In addition to Chicago, Woods' Broadway credits include 'One Mo' Time' (2002), '45 Seconds From Broadway' (2001), 'Follies' (2001 revival), 'The Goodbye Girl' (1993), 'A Little Hotel on the Side' (1992 revival), 'The Crucible' (1991), 'Stepping Out' (1987) and 'Grind' (1985).

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 where it is currently booking through to 28 Jun 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 now stars Brenda Braxton (Velma Kelly), Melora Hardin (Roxie Hart), Tom Hewitt (Billy Flynn), Carol Woods (Matron 'Mama' Morton), Scott Davidson (Amos Hart) and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).

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.