Chicago: Obba Babatundé plays Billy for a week
Obba Babatundé returns to the Tony Award-winning hit musical Chicago for one week, from 10 - 17 Jan 2010. Babatundé is filling in for Brent Barrett who is currently on vacation and returns to the show on 18 Jan 2010.
Babatundé last played the role of 'Billy Flynn' on Broadway from 15 - 27 Jul 27 2008. Babatundé is best known for his Tony-nominated performance as 'C.C. White' in the original Broadway production of 'Dreamgirls.' His other Broadway credits include 'Grind' (1985), 'It's So Nice to Be Civilized' (1980), 'Reggae' (1980) and 'Timbuktu!' (1978).
Chicago currently stars Deidre Goodwin (Velma Kelly), *Ashlee Simpson-Wentz (Roxie Hart), Obba Babatundé (Billy Flynn), Roz Ryan (Mama Morton), Ray Bokhour (Amos Hart) and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).
*Michelle Williams assumes the role of Roxie Hart from 8 Feb 2010.
Now celebrating thirteen 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 period through to 5 Sep 2010.
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.
Obba BabatundéOriginally published on