After a record run for a musical revival, producers announced that Chicago will take its final bow at the Garrick Theatre on Saturday, September 1. The final Billy Flynn will be British Olympic ice-skating champion Robin Cousins, who joins the show next week. Sarah Soetaert plays Roxie Hart and Rachel McDowall is Velma Kelly.
Chicago has seen lots of big names join its cast including Alison Moyet, Anita Dobson, Christie Brinkley, David Hasselhoff, Denise Van Outen, Sacha Distel and Tony Hadley.
Top songs include All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle. Producer Barry Weissler said bringing the show to London from Broadway in 1997 was a “pivotal mo-ment” in his career: “Running 15 years has been a dream come true. We may be taking our parting shots for now, but the razzle-dazzle will never fade.” Composer John Kander said it had been a great experience: “The fact that the London audience has embraced our show for 15 years fills me with gratitude and pride. Thank you all for your warmth and enthusiasm.”
The show, with lyrics by Fred Ebb, premiered on Broadway in 1975 with choreography by Bob Fosse.
Robin Cousins, said it was an honour to play Billy, the slick lawyer of killer jailbirds Roxie and Velma: “I’m thrilled. It’s an iconic show and the part I’m stepping into has been played by some wonderful people, so to be joining that club is wonderful. The show is great. It’s sexy and funny and musically so wonderful. I think it’s not really going away. It’s going to take a sabbatical. It will be gone but not forgotten.”
He will open on Tuesday, a day later than originally planned, so he can carry the Olympic torch in Brighton on Monday. Chicago is one of only six musicals to have played 15 years or more in the West End. The others include Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera.
Brenda Edwards who played Mama Morton for several periods between 2006 and 2009 tweeted saying '#chicagothemusical very sad to hear the news u gave me 4 good years on & off i will cherish them thank you so much for being good to mama! Thanks to all the cast and crew that made me feel so welcome when I joined in 2006 pure class!'
Ruthie Henshall who was the original Roxie Hart in Chicago also tweeted to say 'Sad to hear chicago is closing. I have amazing memories of the best female roles in musical theatre. Truly blessed to have been a part of it'.
Visit http://www.chicagothemusical.co.uk/ to find out more information about the show and to book tickets for the last 2 months of its run!
America Ferrera recently starred in the production as Roxie Hart and is nominated in our 'Best West End Debut' poll. You can vote for her by clicking here.
America Ferrera recently starred in the production as Roxie Hart and is nominated in our 'Best West End Debut' poll. You can vote for her by clicking here.
No comments:
Post a Comment