CHICAGO Becomes 7th Longest Running Play In Broadway History

Now celebrating more than twelve glorious years of girls, glitz and glamour on the Great White Way, the record-breaking musical smash Chicago will celebrate a major milestone on Tuesday, March 24, when it becomes the seventh-longest running production in Broadway history, surpassing Rent with a total of 5,125 performances!

As of that date, the top ten longest-running Broadway productions will be as follows (* indicates the production is still running): 1. * The Phantom of the Opera (8,797)
2. Cats (7,485)
3. Les Misérables (6,680)
4. A Chorus Line (6,137)
5. Oh! Calcutta! (5,959)
6. Beauty and the Beast (5,461)
7. * Chicago (5,125)
8. Rent (5,124)
9. * The Lion King (4,741)
10. Miss Saigon (4,097)
After its celebrated rediscovery at City Center Encores! in the summer of 1996, the revival of Chicago opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14, 1996. It then transferred to the Shubert Theatre on February 11, 1997. Nearly six years later, on January 29, 2003, it transferred a second time to its current Broadway home, the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.).Along with its new position in Broadway's long-runs list, Chicago also has the distinction of being the longest-running musical revival in Broadway history.In addition to Broadway, Chicago is currently enjoying a successful tour throughout North America, with upcoming engagements set for Washington, DC; Baltimore; Miami; Kansas City and many more. Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, Chicago has become a worldwide theatrical phenomenon. The record-breaking London production of Chicago continues to hold the record as the longest-running American musical in West End history. Last week, Chicago launched a new 11-city tour of the United Kingdom, and this Sunday, March 22, a new Australian tour will kick-off in Brisbane.Also this year, international return engagements of Chicago are in the works for Korea, Japan and Holland, as well as the premiere production in Spain. International productions are slated for Argentina and Sweden in 2010 and Norway and Venezuela in 2011.Other previous international engagements include productions in Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Dubai, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and most recently, Thailand. With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids. Directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking, Chicago features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer. The Broadway production currently stars two-time Tony nominee Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart, South Africa native Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, Tony nominee Tom Hewitt as Billy Flynn, Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart and Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton. As previously announced, two-time Tony nominee Tom Wopat will return as Billy Flynn on Monday, March 23. And on Monday, June 8, "Grey's Anatomy" star Chandra Wilson will step into the role of Matron "Mama" Morton for a four-week limited engagement.Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.

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