Chicago: Tom Wopat returns to the role of 'Billy Flynn'

Tom Wopat once again assumes the role of slick criminal lawyer 'Billy Flynn' in the Broadway company of Chicago on 13 Oct 2008. Wopat, who has played the role since the 29 Jul 2008, temporarily left the show for a one week vacation.

Wopat was nominated for a Tony Award for his portrayal of 'Tom Hurley' in the musical 'A Catered Affair' which recently closed on Broadway. His other Broadway credits include: as James Lingk in 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (2005 revival), he made his Broadway debut as 'Wally' in 'I Love My Wife' (1977). His other Broadway credits are 'City of Angels' (1989), 'Guys and Dolls' (1992 revival), 'Annie Get Your Gun' (1999 revival) - for which he was nomiated for his first Tony and '42nd Street' (2001). He is best known to the world as 'Luke Duke' from the TV series 'The Dukes of Hazzard'.

Jeff McCarthy temporarily stepped into the role from 6 - 12 Oct 2008 during Wopat's absence.

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.

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 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.