Chicago: Tom Hewitt to play slick criminal lawyer 'Billy Flynn'

Tom Hewitt is to play the role of slick criminal lawyer 'Billy Flynn' in the Broadway company of Chicago from 3 Nov 2008.

A Broadway regular, Tom Hewitt received a Tony nomination for his performance as 'Frank N. Furter' in 'The Rocky Horror Show' (2000 revival). His other Broadway credits include 'Dracula, The Musical' (2004), 'The Boys form Syracuse' (2002 revival), 'The Lion King' (1997); 'The School for Scandal' (1995 revival) and 'The Sisters Rosenzweig.' (1993).

His national touring credits include 'Urinetown' and 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,' for which he received a Touring Broadway Award. He has been seen Off-Broadway in 'Jeffrey,' 'Beau Jest,' 'Richard III' and 'Othello.'

Hewitt's television and film credits include 'Third Watch;' 'Frasier;' 'All My Children;' narration for The Discovery, History and National Geographic channels and Julie Taymor's 'Fool's Fire.'

As previously announced, Terra C. MacLeod will return as merry murderess 'Velma Kelly' for another one-week return engagement, from 27 Oct - 2 Nov 2008, while Brenda Braxton is on vacation.

Now celebrating eleven 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 through to 28 Jun 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 Brenda Braxton (Velma Kelly), Michelle DeJean (Roxie Hart), Tom Wopat (Bily Flynn), Carol Woods (Matron 'Mama' Morton), Raymond Bokhour (Amos Hart) and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).

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.