Kelly Felthous and Alena Watters Headed to the Cell Block for Drury Lane's CHICAGO; Cast Announced!

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its electrifying new production of Chicago, featuring a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins.

This fiery new take on Chicago is directed by Drury Lane Theatre's Artistic Director William Osetek with choreography by Jane Lanier, the Tony-nominated student of Bob Fosse, and music direction by Roberta Duchak. Chicago runs April 20 - June 18, 2017 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Press Opening is Friday, April 28, 2017 at 8:00 p.m.

Leading this thrilling new production of Chicago are Broadway veterans Kelly Felthous (Flashdance, Wicked, Grease) as Roxie Hart and Alena Watters (Sister Act, The Addams Family, West Side Story) as Velma Kelly. The principal cast also includes Guy Lockard (Billy Flynn), Justin Brill (Amos Hart), Michael Accardo (Master of Ceremonies), and E. Faye Butler (Matron Mama Morton). The ensemble includes Jessica Blair, Lauren Nicole Blane, Matt Casey, Brian Duncan, Rueben Echoles, Erica Evans, AlejandroFonseca, Michael George, Allyson Graves, Rachel Hafell, Daniel Hurst, Joseph London, Jay Reynolds Jr., Haley Schneider, and Aaron Umsted.

Drury Lane has assembled a team of some of the finest designers to create a rich and vivid new staging of Chicago. The creative team includes Kevin Depinet (Scenic Design), Sully Ratke (Costume Design), Lee Fiskness (Lighting Design), Ray Nardelli (Sound Design), Cassy Schillo (Properties Design) and Claire Moores (Wig Design). The Production Stage Manager is Larry Baker.

Recipient of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations across the globe, this razzle-dazzle musical is the #1 longest running American musical in Broadway history. Filled with fame, fortune, and all that jazz, this edge-of-your seat story features one showstopper after another. Join Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly and all of Cook County Jail's murderess vixens for the sultry "Cell Block Tango," learn what happens "When You're Good to Mama," and watch Billy Flynn "Razzle Dazzle" them all with "We Both Reached For the Gun." Director William Osetek and choreographer Jane Lanier give a nod to the iconic Fosse flavor in this sizzling new production of Chicago.

Chicago is recommended for ages 13 and up. Please be advised that there is some sensitive subject matter. For tickets and more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

Drury Lane Theatre's 2017/2018 season continues with the Pulitzer-winning play The Gin Game featuring Chicago theatre legends John Reeger and Paula Scrofano, followed by the powerhouse musical tribute to the 1980s Rock of Ages. For the holiday season Drury Lane will stage beloved tap classic 42nd Street and then close its 17/18 season with the iconic Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The 2017/2018 season runs March 30, 2017 through March 25, 2018 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Subscriptions for the 2017/2018 Season are priced from $144.60 to $175.80. Subscribers receive special offers on dining, flexible ticket exchanges and early notification and priority seating for added events and concerts. For more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

William Osetek (Director) serves as the artistic director of Drury Lane Theatre. He was the recipient of the 2014 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Director of a Musical for Next to Normal (the show also received a Jeff nomination for Best Musical). Other Drury Lane credits include: Young Frankenstein, Spamalot and Thoroughly Modern Millie (each Jeff nominated for Best Direction and Best Production), Death Trap, White Christmas, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Game's Afoot, Sunset Boulevard, Gypsy, Funny Girl, Mame, The Mousetrap, Of Thee I Sing, The Pirates of Penzance, Camelot, Barefoot in the Park, The King & I and A Christmas Carol. Osetek has a B.A. in Theatre from Loyola University of Chicago and an M.F.A. in Directing from Illinois State University.

Jane Lanier (Choreographer) Choreography credits include: Guys and Dolls: Broadway 2009 Associate Choreographer, Big Rosemary: Blake Edwards writer-director, Little Fishstarring Alice Ripley and Wild Party (LA Weekly and Beverly Garland Awards, Ovation Award and NAACP Award Nominations): The Blank Theatre Co., Smokey Joe's Cafe and Pippin: Fifth Ave. Theatre Seattle, Kiss Me Kate: Musical Theatre West, and the shorts films Not Your Time starring Jason Alexander and Spells starring John Glover.

Directing credits include, Bad Dog: by Jennifer Hoppe-House, starring Valerie Harper, Anne Ramsay, and Jennie Garth, The Conex: by Dan Fruedenburger, Jukebox, Sophisticated Broadway, and Spiderman Turn Off the Dark: Young Playwrights Festival - The Blank Theatre Co., Smell of the Kill: Interact Theatre Co, Out of My Mind: by Steven Kane, staged readings of House of Blue Leaves, The Swan and Yesterday Quicksand: Interact Theatre Co. and the independent short film Touch.

As a performer Jane has appeared in six Broadway shows: Sweet Charity: directed by Bob Fosse, Fosse: Drama Desk Award Nomination, Jerome Robins' Broadway: directed by Jerome Robbins which earned her a Tony Award Nomination, Anything Goes directed by Jerry Zaks, starring Patti LuPone, Guys and Dolls, starring Nathan Lane and Faith Prince, and On Your Toes directed by George Abbott. Regionally she has performed around the country, including such shows as A Chorus Line, World Goes Round, Pippin, and the play Counsellor at Law for which she won the Ovation and LA Drama Critics Circle Award. Jane danced with John Travolta in the film Michael, had recurring roles on Murder One and Medium, and was last seen on television guest-starring on Glee.

Under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis and Artistic Director William Osetek, Drury Lane Theatre is a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, presenting world-class productions in collaboration with some of the nation's leading actors, artists, writers and directors. Over the past 30 years, Drury Lane has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for more than 350 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane is committed to breathing new life into beloved classics and introducing audiences to exciting new works.

Throughout its 30-year history, Drury Lane has employed more than 7,500 actors and 10,000 musicians, designers and crewmembers to entertain upwards of nine million audience members. Originally founded by Anthony DeSantis, Drury Lane Theatre remains a family-run organization known for producing breathtaking Broadway classics, top-rated musicals, bold new works, hilarious comedies and unforgettable concert events.

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