Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award-winner America Ferrera, known across the world as Ugly Betty from the hit TV series of the same name, swaps her trademark braces for fishnets from 7 November for eight weeks only, when she makes her British stage debut as the alluring publicity-seeker Roxie Hart in the smash hit musical CHICAGO.
Ferrera, who in 2007, was named by Time Magazine as one of "The Most influential People in the World", makes her West End debut in CHICAGO at its new West End home, the Garrick Theatre. Ferrera will help usher in the show's record-breaking 15th year in London when it celebrates its birthday on 18 November.
Now the most successful Broadway export ever, CHICAGO had its final performance at the Cambridge Theatre on 27 August, establishing the record for the longest running American musical. During its 5-year run there, the multi award-winning musical played to over 2 million people, notched up numerous records and became in the process the West End's longest running revival ever.
Opening at the Garrick Theatre alongside Ferrera, as fellow murderess Velma Kelly, is Amra-Faye Wright, currently starring in the Broadway production.
CHICAGO originally opened at the Adelphi Theatre on 18 November 1997 to rave reviews and immediately became a sell-out hit. CHICAGO won the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for 'Outstanding Musical Production' as well as the 1998 Critics Circle Drama Award for 'Best Musical'. CHICAGO transferred from the Adelphi Theatre to the Cambridge Theatre in April 2006.
CHICAGO, which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. CHICAGO is choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse and directed by Walter Bobbie. The West End production of CHICAGO is staged by the entire original Broadway creative team. CHICAGO is produced in London by the Broadway producers Barry and Fran Weissler.
Further casting for the production at the Garrick Theatre will be announced shortly.
