Braxton, who is currently playing Velma Kelly in the Chicago run at Los Angeles' Pantages Theatre, will assume that role on Broadway beginning Feb. 21, according to the Telecharge website. Terra C. MacLeod is Chicago's current Velma, and Donna Marie Asbury will play the part of the merry murderess, Feb. 14-20.

Chicago — featuring a score by John Kander and the late Fred Ebb — currently stars Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart, Brent Barrett as Billy Flynn, Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton, Ray Bokhour as Amos Hart and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine. Anne L. Nathan returns to the role of "Mama" Morton Feb. 21.

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 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.

The Ambassador Theatre is located at 215 West 49th Street.