Ashlee Simpson to Make Theatre Debut as Chicago's Roxie?

Rumors are currently swirling that pop star Ashlee Simpson has been offered the chance to play merry murderess Roxie Hart in either the Broadway or London production of Chicago.  However, nothing has been confirmed yet.

The 21 year-old singer's albums include "Autobiography" and "I Am Me."  The singer, who is the sister of pop star Jessica Simpson and who also appeared on an eponymous reality show, has also appeared on film in Undiscovered and The Hot Chick, and on TV in "7th Heaven" and "Malcolm in the Middle." 

Fellow MTV mainstay Usher currently plays Billy Flynn in the Broadway production of Chicago, which also features Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Branda Braxton as Velma, Kevin Chamberlin as Amos Hart, Lillias White as Matron "Mama" Morton, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

Chicago, which opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14th 1996, has reached a run of over 4,000 performances at the Ambassador Theatre (215 W. 49th St.); the show will celebrate its 10 year anniversary in November. Chicago received 6 1997 Tonys (including Best Revival of a Musical) under the direction of Walter Bobbie and the choreography of star Ann Reinking. The revival, based on Bobbie's stylistically stripped-down Encores! staging, featured direction and choreography by Bob Fosse in its original 1975 production. Chicago features a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse.

For more information on Chicago, visit www.chicagothemusical.com. For tickets, call Telecharge at 212 239 6200, or visit www.telecharge.com.