DeJean, who succeeds Rita Wilson, is scheduled to play the role of the merry murderess through Aug. 20. Beginning Aug. 22, Bianca Marroquin, who starred in the Mexico City production of Chicago, returns to the Broadway company as Roxie; that same day marks the arrival of five-time Grammy Award winner Usher as slick lawyer Billy Flynn.

Michelle DeJean has appeared in the national and international tours of Chicago, West Side Story, Mame and Jesus Christ Superstar. She has also starred in productions of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, La Cage aux Folles, Evita, The Sound of Music and Oliver!

Chicago currently features Brenda Braxton as Velma Kelly, Obba Babatunde as Billy Flynn, Kevin Chamberlin as Amos Hart, Lillias White as Matron "Mama" Morton and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

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.