Tony nominee Robyn Hurder has announced that she will continue to play as nightclub murderess Velma Kelly in 'Chicago' at Broadway's Ambassador Theatre.
Originally slated to fill the role until Sunday, June 16, she will remain until Sunday, Sept 15. Hurder succeeded Amra-Faye Wright in the role on Tuesday, Mar 26.
Hurder has performed at New York City Center Encores! and has additional Broadway credits, including 'Nice Work If You Can Get It,' 'Grease,' 'The Wedding Singer', and 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!,' 'Paint Your Wagon,' 'The New Yorkers,' and 'A Chorus Line.'
The current 'Chicago' cast also includes Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart, Bianca Marroquín as Roxie Hart, Max von Essen as Billy Flynn, Natasha Yvette Williams as Matron "Mama" Morton, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.
The ensemble features Eddie Bennett, David Bushman, Jennifer Dunne, Jeff Gorti, Jaquez, Arian Keddell, Mary Claire King, Martha Lawson, Joseph London, Barrett Martin, Sharon Moore, Celina Nightengale, Kristen Faith Oei, Michaela Renfrow, Rachel Shur, Colt Adam Weiss, and Matthew Winnegge.
The comeback of 'Chicago' started as one of the three yearly Encores! presentations that City Center offers. The musical premiered on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre from Nov 14, 1996, until Feb 1997.
Furthermore, the musical ran there until Jan 26, 2003, after moving to the Shubert Theatre. On Jan 29 of that year, the revival opened at the Ambassador Theatre.
Over 34 million people have seen 'Chicago' since its 1996 premiere, and the show has played over 33,500 times in 38 countries and more than 525 cities worldwide. It is currently the second-longest-running Broadway production ever after 'The Phantom of the Opera.'
'Chicago,' which had lyrics by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, set design by John Lee Beatty, choreography by the late Ann Reinking, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Scott Lehrer, and casting by Duncan Stewart of ARC Casting, was based on a book by the late Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse.
The current production, produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, has received the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997 and awards for actors Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, director Bobbie, lighting designer Billington, and Reinking.
The original production was directed and choreographed by the late Fosse.
