Obba Babatunde Steps Into Chicago, April 17; D'Amboise and Braxton Also to Return

The newest Billy Flynn in the Broadway production of Chicago will be Obba Babatunde, who will return to the Ambassador Theatre (219 West 49th Street) on April 17th. Succeeding John O'Hurley, he will continue in the show through June 11th.

Also returning to the show on that day will be Charlotte D'Amboise as Roxie and Brenda Braxton as Velma . Chicago currently features Robin Givens as Roxie, Amra Faye-Wright as Velma, P.J. Benjamin as Amos, Lillias White as Matron "Mama" Morton and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

In addition to previously starring as Billy Flynn in the Broadway production, Babatunde created the role in the original national touring company of Chicago in 1997. The veteran actor received a Tony Award nomination for his performance as C.C. White in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls. He also performed in Hal Prince's Grind and originated the role of Jelly Role Morton in the world premiere of Jelly's Last Jam. His recent screen credits include the feature films After the Sunset, The Manchurian Candidate, and Material Girls; he also stars as the father on the hit UPN sitcom "Half & Half."

Chicago, which opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14th 1996, has reached a run of almost 3,900 performances at the Ambassador Theatre (215 W. 49th St.); the show is the longest-running revival in Broadway history. 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.