Chicago: Larisa Dolina to play Mamma Morton

Russian actress and singer Larisa Dolina will make her Broadway debut in the record-breaking, Tony Award debut in the role of 'Matron "Mama" Morton' for limited eight performance engagement from 13 - 18 Aug 2013 in the Tony Award winning musical Chicago. Dolina will assume the role from Wendy Williams, who will play her final performance on 11 Aug 2013.

At the conclusion of her Broadway run, Dolina will return to Moscow to reprise the role of 'Matron "Mama" Morton' in the forthcoming Russian production of Chicago, set to open in October 2013.

Dolina began her solo singing career in 1985, working with the Leningrad-based composer Viktor Reznikov. Soon after, she began to create and produce her own concert shows, including Zatyazhnoy Pryzhok (Long Jump), Kontrasty (Contrasts), L'dinka (Little Icicle) and Malen'kaya Zhenschina (Little Woman).

As an actress, Dolina appeared in the films Barkhatniy Sezon (Velvet Season), My Iz Dzhaza (We Are from the Jazz), Ostrov Pogibshih Korabley (Island of Sunken Ships)and Suvenir Dlia Prokurora (A Souvenir for the Prosecutor).

Chicago currently stars Amra-Fay Wright (Velma Kelly), Amy Spanger (Roxie Hart), Alexander Gemignani (Billy Flynn), Wendy Williams (Mama Morton), Paul C. Vogt (Amos Hart) and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).

Chicago is the second longest-running production currently playing on Broadway, Broadway's longest-running musical revival, as well as the longest-running American show in Broadway history.

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 22 Dec 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.