Broadway's CHICAGO Welcomes New 'Mama' Tonight

Tonight, September 29, the company of Broadway's Tony Award-winning, record- breaking hit musical Chicago welcomes a brand new "Countess of the Clink" to the cell block, when Carmen Ruby Floyd makes her debut as Matron "Mama" Morton.

Chicago is Ms. Floyd's fifth Broadway show. She was previously seen in the celebrated productions of After Midnight, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, Avenue Q and Disney's The Lion King.

Her Off-Broadway and regional theatre credits include Cotton Club Parade, Little Miss Sunshine, Little Ham, Crowns and Blind Lemon Blues.

Ms. Floyd has appeared on television in "Law & Order," "Rubicon," "Mercy," "One Life to Life" and "Coach," in addition to numerous national commercials and voiceover credits.

In the role of Matron "Mama" Morton, Ms. Floyd takes over for longtime Chicago company member and fan favorite Carol Woods.

Ms. Woods debuted as "Mama" in the first national touring company in 1997 and has reprised the role on either on Broadway or on tour almost every year since. After 17 years, Ms. Woods will play her farewell performance to Chicago on Sunday, September 28. Chicago also stars Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, two-time Tony Award nominee Christopher Fitzgerald as Billy Flynn, Paul C. Vogt as Amos Hart and R. Lowe and Mary Sunshine.

With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago is now the longest-running American musical in Broadway history -- and it shows no sign of ever slowing down!
Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, 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 Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking, Chicago features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer.

Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.