At the celebratory performance, the production welcomed back its four original stars: Tony Award winners Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton and Joel Grey.
Reinking, Neuwirth, Naughton and Grey — who originated the roles of Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly, Billy Flynn and Amos Hart, respectively — each made cameo appearances at various points in the milestone performance.
"What a joy to welcome back all four of the legendary stars who launched this incredibly beautiful production eighteen years ago!" said producer Barry Weissler in an earlier statement. "Sometimes, it seems like only yesterday, yet here we are — just a few weeks away from becoming the second longest-running show in Broadway history. Walter Bobbie and Ann Reinking recreated a musical masterpiece that has withstood the test of time, and it's with great honor that I look forward to sharing their masterpiece with audiences for many more years to come."
Producer Fran Weissler added, "This incredible moment is a testament not only to the unparalleled genius of the Chicago creators -- John Kander, Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse -- but to the magnificent contributions from countless actors, musicians, stagehands, dance captains, crew members, advertising and marketing gurus, stage managers, production managers and more who have participated in our show these past 18 years. They continually succeed at being the absolute best in the business!" Chicago has set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington, sound design by Scott Lehrer, musical supervision by Rob Fisher and musical direction by Leslie Stifelman.
The revival of John Kander and Fred Ebb's Chicago began life as one of the three annual Encores! presentations offered by City Center. The musical opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in November 1996 where it remained through February 1997. The musical transferred to the Shubert Theatre on Feb. 11, 1997, and played that house through Jan. 26, 2003. The revival reopened at the Ambassador Theatre, its current home, on Jan. 29, 2003.
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.
The Ambassador Theatre is located at 219 W. 49th Street.
Visit ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.
