Roz Ryan Breaks Record for Most Performances of Any Leading Actress in CHICAGO's History Today

Today, October 21, the company of Broadway's Tony Award-winning, record-breaking smash hit musical Chicago celebrates yet another record-breaking milestone.

This evening, one of the Chicago family's most acclaimed performers, stage and screen veteran Roz Ryan, will break a longtime company record with the most performances of any leading actress in the show's historic 17-year run.

In the role of Matron "Mama" Morton, Ms. Ryan made her debut performance with the Broadway company of Chicago in January 1999. Since then, she has returned to reprise the role in the Broadway company every single year. 2013 marks her 15th consecutive year with the show.

The longstanding record for the most performances played by a principal actress is currently shared by Charlotte d'Amboise (as Roxie Hart) and Marcia Lewis (as Matron "Mama" Morton), both of whom have logged a total of 223 weeks in the Broadway company.

Tonight, October 21, Roz Ryan will begin her 224th contracted week as Matron "Mama" Morton, setting a new all-time record.

"Throughout the past 15 years, this show and this role have been such a tremendous blessing, and such an incredible privilege," says Roz Ryan. "I've had the thrill of celebrating many milestones and record-breakings with Chicago over the years, but this is an extra special one for me. I am beyond grateful to Barry and Fran Weissler, to Walter Bobbie, to Annie Reinking and to the countless cast members, crew members and musicians with whom I've shared these past 15 years. And it's certainly not over, darlings -- the best is yet to come!"

In addition to her upcoming record-breaking run in the Broadway company, Ms. Ryan has also starred as "Mama" Morton in several national tours of Chicago since 1997, as well as international engagements in Abu Dhabi and Portugal.

Her other Broadway credits include Scandalous, Ain't Misbehavin', Dreamgirls, One Mo' Time, The Pajama Game and A Christmas Carol. Her national and international touring credits include Annie, South Pacific and Blues in the Night.

On television, Ms. Ryan is best known for her role as Amelia Hetebrink in the long-running NBC comedy "Amen," starring Sherman Hemsley. Her other television roles include Mae Palmer in "Barbershop" (Showtime) and Mrs. Dixon in "Good News" (UPN).

She can currently be seen as Aunt Sylvia on "The Rickey Smiley Show" (now in it's second season), airing Fridays at 9 p.m. on TV-One.

Her many television credits as a voiceover artist include "Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated," "The Looney Tunes Show" (Warner Bros.), "Kick Buttowski: Suburban Dardevil" (Disney Channel) and "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack" (Cartoon Network).

Her film credits include Went to Coney Island, Cotton Club, I Think I Love My Wife, The Invention of Lying and Waiting for Forever.

On Broadway, Chicago also stars Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, Ryan Silverman as Billy Flynn, Paul C. Vogt as Amos Hart and R. Lowe as 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 #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.

CHICAGO now plays on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.). The regular weekly performance schedule is as follows: Mondays at 8 p.m.; Tuesday at 8 p.m.; Thursdays at 8 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. 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.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel