This fall, the international smash musical Chicago welcomes two hot new actresses to the role of Mama Morton, the reigning cell block matron of Chicago's Cooke County Jail. On Tuesday, August 7, 2007, Tony Award winner Adriane Lenox joins the Broadway company as Matron Mama Morton for an eight-week engagement at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.), through Sunday, September 30.
A 2005 Tony and Drama Desk Award winner for her performance in John Patrick Shanley's Doubt, Lenox's prior Broadway credits include Caroline, or Change; the 1999 revival of Kiss Me, Kate; The Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm; the 1995 revival of How To Succeed in Business…; the original production of Dreamgirls and Ain't Misbehavin'.
Meanwhile, on Monday, September 10, 2007, the West End production of Chicago welcomes Kelly Osbourne to the role of Matron Mama Morton for a seven-week engagement at London's Cambridge Theatre, through Saturday, October 27. The engagement marks Osbourne's theatrical stage debut. A television personality, singer, actress and fashion designer, Osbourne first rose to fame with "The Osbournes," the Emmy-winning reality television series about her famous father and his family. She has released two albums: Shut Up! (2002) and Sleeping in the Nothing (2005). Her single "One Word" peaked at #1 on three Billboard dance charts, making her the first artist in the history of the Billboard charts to top all three dance surveys in the same week. Osbourne made her television acting debut with a starring role on the ABC drama "Life As We Know It" (2004). 
Now in its 10th smash year on Broadway, 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. This November, the London production will celebrate its 10th year on the WestEnd. Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking, the musical has become a worldwide phenomenon. Previous international engagements include productions in Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Brazil, Dubai, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, South Africa and Sweden. Upcoming productions are slated for Denmark and Korea.
The Broadway company currently stars Lisa Rinna as Roxie Hart, Brenda Braxton as Velma Kelly, Harry Hamlin as Billy Flynn and Rob Bartlett as Amos Hart. Multi-platinum R&B recording artist Brian McKnight steps into the role of Billy Flynn on Tuesday, October 8.
For more information, visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com
