CHICAGO Welcomes Back Amra-Faye Wright and Carol Woods 7/13

On Tuesday, July 13, Broadway's record-breaking, Tony Award-winning musical smash CHICAGO welcomes back two of its most beloved leading ladies, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly and Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton.

Since 2005, Amra-Faye Wright has played the role of Velma Kelly throughout the world -- including Broadway, London's West End; Johannesburg and Capetown, South Africa; and on tour throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.

Last month, Wright celebrated another career milestone when she became the first Broadway actress in history to take her role to Japan and perform it in the Japanese language, appearing as Velma Kelly in the Japanese production of CHICAGO at Tokyo's Akasaka ACT Theatre, June 9 - July 4, 2010.

Wright's other theatrical credits include Vi Moore in Footloose (UK Tour), Sandy in Grease (Johannesburg Superbowl) and Sheila in A Chorus Line (Civic Theatre, Johannesburg). She has written and performed several one-woman shows, including It's Not Where I Start, Drinks on Me and Rouge Pulp.

Amra-Faye Wright succeeds Terra C. MacLeod in the role. MacLeod plays her final performance as Velma Kelly on Sunday, July 11.

A longtime fixture in the CHICAGO family, Carol Woods has appeared as Matron "Mama" Morton on Broadway, on several national tours and multiple international productions since 1997.

On the big screen, she appeared as a featured soloist in Julie Taymor's Across the Universe, performing a celebrated gospel rendition of the iconic Beatles' hit "Let It Be," which she later reprised to great acclaim on the 2008 Grammy Awards broadcasT. Woods' other feature films include Steam, Sweet and Lowdown, Honeymooners and Stepping Out.

In addition to CHICAGO, Woods' Broadway and National Touring credits include The Full Monty, One Mo' Time, Follies, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Stepping Out, The Goodbye Girl, Grind, Big River and The Crucible.

Her London stage credits include Blues in the Night (Olivier nomination) and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Carol Woods succeeds Terri White in the role. White plays her final performance as Matron "Mama" Morton on Sunday, July 11.

CHICAGO also stars Ruthie Henshall as Roxie Hart, whose limited engagement has now been extended through Sunday, August 29; Colman Domingo as Billy Flynn and Tom Riis Farrell as Amos Hart.

As previously announced, John O'Hurley returns as Billy Flynn for a six-week limited enagement, Tuesday, July 20 through Sunday, August 29.

CHICAGO now plays on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.). Beginning Monday, June 28, the new summer performance schedule is as follows:

Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.
Sunday evenings at 7 p.m.
Wednesday at Saturday matinees at 2:30 p.m.

SCHEDULE EXCEPTION: On Sunday, July 4, there will only be a 3 p.m. matinee performance.

Tickets are available by calling Telecharge.com at 212-239-6200. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Ambassador Theatre Box Office. Regular Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.

Photo Credit: BWW-Staff