Chicago celebrates 10th anniversary

The Broadway revival of Chicago celebrates its 10th annivarsery with a special gala-performance on the 14 Nov 2006.

The musical, which is the longest running revival in Broadway history, is marking the occasion with a gala evening perforamce to benefit the charity 'Safe Horizon', the nation's leading victim assistance programme.

For this one-tim event, original cast members Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, James Naughton, Marcia Lewis, Joel Grey, and D. Sabella star, along with such Chicago alums as Melanie Griffith, Brooke Shields, Wayne Brady, John O'Hurley, Huey Lewis, Marilu Henner, Lynda Carter, Chita Rivera, Rita Wilson, Gregory Harrison and Ashlee Simpson.

In an easlier statement producer Barry Weissler said, "It's an amazing testament to the genius of the creators, Bob Fosse and John Kander & Fred Ebb that our production of Chicago has played over 4,500 performances and will celebrate its 10th year. Every talented actor who has graced our stage for the past 10 years as well as all of our backstage crew and musicians contributed to the enormous success of Chicago. Not only has it been a glorious ride on Broadway, but its many international and national productions have proven that Chicago is a timeless show which audiences have responded to for its brilliant concept, book, music and dancing."

The revival of Chicago was originally one of City Center's musical Encores - in which the City Center presents revivals of three musicals. The musical then went on to open on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in November 1996, where it played until Feb 2007. It then transferred to the Shubert Theatre were it played from Feb. 11, 1997 through to 26 Jan 2003, before opening at its present home, the Ambassador Theatre, on 29 Jan 2003, where it is currently booking to 25 Mar 2007.

The show 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, and currently stars Brenda Braxton (Velma Kelly), Michelle DeJean (Roxie), Roz Ryan (Matron 'Mama' Morton), Christopher McDonald (Billy Flynn), Rob Bartlett (Amos Hart), R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).

Chicago won six 1997 Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Actor (James Naughton), Best Actress (Bebe Neuwirth) and Best Lighting.