Chicago: Obba Babatund�, Kevin Chamberlin and Tom Wopat return to the cast in Jul
A trio of Tony-nominated leading men return to the Broadway musical Chicago in Jul 2008.
First, Tony Award nominee Kevin Chamberlin joins the company as Roxie's all-but-invisible husband, 'Amos Hart' on 15 Jul 2008. Chamberlin succeeds Raymond Bokhour who plays his final performance on 13 Jul 2008.
Chamberlin most recently appeared on Broadway last season in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of 'The Ritz.' He has received Tony nominations for his performances in 'Seussical' (2000) and 'Dirty Blonde' (2000) His other Broadway credits include 'Triumph of Love' (1997), 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois' (1993 revival) and 'My Favorite Year' (1992).
Also on 15 Jul 2008, Tony nominee Obba Babatund� returns to the role of Billy Flynn for a two-week engagement, playing through to 27 Jul. Babatund� succeeds Jeff McCarthy, who plays his final performance on 13 Jul 2008.
On Broadway, Babatund� 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).
Beginning 29 Jul 2008, two-time Tony Award nominee Tom Wopat takes over the role of 'Billy Flynn'.
Perhaps best known as 'Luke Duke' in the long-running TV series 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' Wopat's extensive Broadway credits include 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (2005 revival), 42nd Street (2001 revival), 'Guys and Dolls' (1992 revival), City of Angels (1989) and I Love My Wife (1977). He earned his first Tony nomination as 'Frank Butler' in the 1999 revival of 'Annie Get Your Gun,' opposite Bernadette Peters. He can currently be seen on Broadway playing 'Tom' in the new musical 'A Catered Affair,' for which he received his second Tony nomination.
Chicago 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 to 4 Jan 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 currently stars **Nancy Lemenager (Velma Kelly), **Michelle DeJean (Roxie Hart), **Jeff McCarthy (Billy Flynn), Carol Woods (Matron 'Mama' Morton), **Raymond Bokhour (Amos Hart) and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).
Note: Nancy Lemenager, Michelle DeJean, Jeff McCarthy and Raymond Bokhour all leave the show on 13 Jul 2008.
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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