SMASH Star Raza Jaffrey Joins West End's CHICAGO, Now thru July 14

Life is imitating art for leading man Raza Jaffrey, as CHICAGO producer, Barry Weissler spotted him in the new Steven Spielberg TV series Smash, and immediately offered him the role of Billy Flynn in the West End production of the musical. He stars in CHICAGO at the Garrick Theatre from tonight, 16 May to 14 July, playing the role between present Billy, David Bedella, who left the cast on 12 May, and Olympian Robin Cousins, who joins on 17 July.

Raza can be seen playing the role of Dev Sundaram in Smash, which began on Sky Atlantic this Saturday 21 April. Smash is the fictional drama behind the making of a Broadway musical. Raza’s other TV roles include Zaf Younis in Spooks and Hari Dhillon in Mistresses. Recent films include Sex and the City 2, Harry Brown and Eastern Promises. Raza’s other leading roles on the West End stage include Sky in Mamma Mia!, Akaash in the original production of Bombay Dreams and Orsino in Twelfth Night.

Now the most successful Broadway export ever and the world’s longest running American musical, as well as the West End’s longest running revival, the multi award-winning musical CHICAGO opened at the Garrick Theatre on 7 November 2011.

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, where it ran for five years until 27 August 2011.

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.

Performances are Mondays to Thursdays at 8.00pm, Fridays at 5.00pm & 8.30pm, Saturdays at 3.00pm & 8.00pm. Tickets are £26.00 - £67.50 (All prices include a £1 theatre restoration levy. Booking fees apply for ‘phone and online bookings. No booking fee on tickets purchased in person from the Garrick Theatre Box Office.) N.B. From 23 April – 22 September, there is an Under 20s ticket rate of £20, valid for Monday – Thursday evening performances and Friday matinees, available in advance online or in person on the day. The Current Booking Period is until 26 January 2013.

Box Office: 0844 482 9673

Website: www.chicagothemusical.co.uk

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos