A spokesperson for the musical confirmed that Rice will leave the Broadway company to join the national touring company of Chicago when it arrives in California next month starring Patrick Swayze as Billy Flynn. Kander and Ebb's Tony-winning musical is set to play San Diego's Civic Center, Dec. 30, 2003-Jan. 4, 2004. It will then move on to the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles from Jan. 7-Jan. 18, 2004.

After starring in the Broadway company of Starlight Express, Reva Rice toured the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical throughout North America and also played a stint in London's West End. She later joined the U.S. tour of Smokey Joe's Cafe and played that revue in Japan as well. She was last on Broadway in Fosse.

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. For ticket information, call (212) 239-6200.