Braxton will once again play merry murderess Velma Kelly. She succeeds Nancy Lemenager, who will play her final performance Aug. 10.

Braxton will join a cast that currently includes Michelle DeJean as Roxie Hart, Tony nominee Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn, Tony nominee Kevin Chamberlin as Amos Hart and Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton.

The long-running musical will celebrate its 12th anniversary and its 5,000th performance on Broadway Nov. 14.

Brenda Braxton received a 1995 Tony Award nomination, an NAACP Theater Award and Chicago's Jefferson Award for her work in the revue Smokey Joe's Cafe. Her other Broadway credits include Jelly's Last Jam, Cats, Legs Diamond and Dreamgirls. Braxton was also seen in the Off-Broadway musical Little Ham and the City Center Encores! mounting of House of Flowers.

Chicago won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997 as well as awards for actors Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, director Walter Bobbie, lighting designer Ken Billington and choreographer Ann Reinking. The original production was directed and choreographed by the late Bob Fosse.

Chicago plays the Ambassador Theatre, located at 215 West 49th Street.

For more information, visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com.