After some time off to appear in the Encores! concert staging of On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, opposite Kristin Chenoweth and Peter Friedman, Brent Barrett returns to Chicago at the Shubert Theatre, Feb 15. During Barrett's absence, TV star Robert Urich took over the role, but he chose to end his contract early, and Clarke Peters finished out that run, Jan. 25-Feb. 13. Barrett is expected to stay with the show for some time, as is original cast member Marcia Lewis (Mama). Bebe Neuwirth, who recently returned to the show, will take off the week of Feb. 24-29 for a prior commitment and then return for at least one more week, through March 5. During Neuwirth's absence, Mamie Duncan-Gibbs will play Velma. (Duncan-Gibbs played that role opposite Sandy Duncan.) According to a spokespserson at the Pete Sanders Group, other current cast-members include Belle Calaway as Roxie, Ernie Sabella as Amos and R. Bean as Mary Sunshine.

The 1996 Best Revival Tony Award-winner, a sleek reconsideration of the 1975 John Kander-Fred Ebb-Bob Fosse musical, has notched more than 1,300 performances to date. For tickets and information on Chicago at the Shubert Theatre, 225 West 44th Street, call (212) 239-6200.