John O'Hurley begins performances in Chicago
Veteran performer John O'Hurley will begin performances in the Broadway production of Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre from this evening, Monday 8 December for a limited period until 18 January 2015.
He will take over the role of "silver-tongued prince of the court room" Billy Flynn from Pasquale Aleardi, who is set to play the role in the German production of the hit musical in Stuttgart. O'Hurley will continue in the role before re-joining the national touring company of the musical on 20 January 2015.
John O'Hurley will join the current cast which also includes Amy Spanger as Roxie Hart, Amra-Fay Wright as Velma Kelly, R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine, Paul C. Vogt as Amos Hart and NaTasha Yvette Williams as Matron Mama Morton.
O'Hurley first appeared on Broadway as Billy Flynn in 2006 and has since played the part on the US National Tour and in New York. His numerous stage credits include 'Pirates of Penzance', 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes', 'Brigadoon' and 'Spamalot'. His TV credits include 'Seinfeld', 'Dancing with the Stars', 'Family Feud' and 'Father of the Pride'.
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. It has been playing on Broadway since 14 November 1996, and it moved to its current home, the Ambassador Theatre, on the 29 January 2003.
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'.
The musical features a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb, with a book by Bob Fosse & Fred Ebb. The revival production 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. The show is currently booking to 4 January 2015.
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