CHICAGO Finds Two New Leading Men: Paul C. Vogt & Alexander Gemignani to Join Cast this Month

This month, the acclaimed revival of the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking musical smash CHICAGO is pleased to welcome two new leading men to the Broadway company.

First, beginning Monday, June 10, stage and screen veteran Paul C. Vogt makes his CHICAGO debut in the role of Roxie's all-but-invisible husband, "Mister Cellophane" Amos Hart.

Vogt previously starred on Broadway as Edna Turnblad in the hit musical Hairpsray, a role he later reprised in the Las Vegas production.

He has the distinction of being the only male to play the role of Ursula in Disney's The Little Mermaid (at the MUNY). Other stage credits include Laurel & Hardy (Falcon Theatre), Idaho (Forestburgh Playhouse), A Funny Thing...Forum (Paper Mill), Hairspray (North Shore Music Theatre, Sacramento, MUNY, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and Theatre Under the Stars), Disney's Aladdin (Tuacahn) and Minsky's (Ahmanson).

Audiences know Paul Best from his television work on "MADtv" and NBC's "The Rerun Show." His other TV appearances include roles on "Raising Hope," "Glee," "Grey's Anatomy," "Hannah Montana," "Arrested Development," "Reno 911" and "Maximum Bob."

His film credits include Valentine's Day, Princess Diaries 2, Good Boy, Lilo and Stitch 2and Raising Helen.

In the role of Amos Hart, Vogt takes over for longtime CHICAGO veteran Raymond Bokhour, who plays his final performance on Sunday, June 9.

Then on Tuesday, June 18, CHICAGO welcomes Drama Desk nominee Alexander Gemignani in the role of "that silver-tongued Prince of the Courtroom" Billy Flynn.

On Broadway, Gemignani has had starring roles in LES MISERABLES (Drama League nomination), Sweeney Todd (Drama Desk nomination), Assassins (Theatre World Award), The People in the Picture and Sunday in the Park with George.

He has appeared Off-Broadway in Road Show at The Public Theater (Drama League nomination), Headstrong at EST and Avenue Q at The Vineyard. His regional credits include The Three Sisters at Cincinnati Playhouse and the title character in Saint-Ex at The Weston Playhouse. He has performed in concert with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall and The Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl.

His television credits include "Homeland" and "The Good Wife." His solo show, All at Once, premiered at The Kennedy Center in 2011. In the role of Billy Flynn, Gemignani succeeds Tony nominee Adam Pascal, who plays his final performance on Sunday, June 16.

CHICAGO also stars Amy Spanger as Roxie Hart, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly,Christine Pedi as Matron "Mama" Morton (through Sunday, June 23) and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine. As previously announced, celebrated talk show host Wendy Williamswill make her Broadway debut as Matron "Mama" Morton beginning Tuesday, June 25.

With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history -- and it still 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.