Chicago: three principal cast members announced

Ryan Silverman will make his Chicago debut on 30 Aug 2013 starring as 'Billy Flynn' in the Tony Award-winning musical. Silverman assumes the role from Alexander Gemignani, who will play his final performance on 29 Aug 2013.

Silverman most recently starred as 'Giorgio' in the Off-Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's 'Passion' at Classic Stage Company. He also starred as 'Raoul' in 'The Phantom of the Opera' both on Broadway and in Las Vegas. He has also been featured in 'Music in the Air' at City Center Encores!; 'Cry-Baby' on Broadway and 'The Most Happy Fella' at New York City Opera.

Silverman will be joined by Chicago veteran Roz Ryan, who returns as 'Matron "Mama" Morton' on 01 Sep 2013, and by Bianca Marroquin, who reprises her turn as 'Roxie Hart' from 02 Sep 2013.

Ryan and Marroquin assume their roles from Carol Woods and Paige Davis, who both play their final perfomances on 28 Aug 2013 to go on the road to star in the musical's new national tour.

Roz Ryan has played the role of 'Matron "Mama" Morton' on Broadway, on tour and internationally for more than twelve years. Her other Broadway credits include 'Scandalous,' 'Ain't Misbehavin',' 'Dreamgirls,' 'One Mo' Time,' 'The Pajama Game' and 'A Christmas Carol.'

Bianca Marroquin, who most recently concluded a successful yearlong engagement headlining the Mexico City premiere of 'Mary Poppins,' began her stage career with the Mexico City productions of 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Rent,' 'The Vagina Monologues,' 'The Phantom of the Opera' and Chicago. For her Spanish-language portrayal of 'Roxie Hart,' Marroquin received five awards from the Mexican Critics Association, including New Revelation and Best Actress. Following her star-making turn in the Mexican production, in 2002 Bianca crossed over to Broadway and made her debut as 'Roxie Hart,' making her the first Latina actress in history to crossover to Broadway from her native production in a leading role.

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.

The show currently stars Amra-Fay Wright (Velma Kelly), Paige Davis (Roxie Hart), Alexander Gemignani (Billy Flynn), Carol Woods (Mama Morton), Paul C. Vogt (Amos Hart) and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).

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, and 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.