Wopat, who replaces Wayne Brady, is scheduled to play slick lawyer Billy Flynn in Kander and Ebb's Chicago through Jan. 1, 2005. Chicago — featuring a score by John Kander and the late Fred Ebb — currently stars Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart, Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly, Anne L. Nathan as Matron Mama Morton, P.J. Benjamin as Amos Hart and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

As previously announced, Tracy Shayne will fill in for the vacationing Charlotte d'Amboise, who will take a break from the role of Roxie Hart after the Dec. 12 performance. Shayne is scheduled to play the role of the merry murderess Dec. 13-Jan. 2, 2005. D'Amboise will then return to the Broadway company.

Tom Wopat received a Tony nomination for his role as Frank Butler opposite Bernadette Peters in the Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun, and recently starred as Julian Marsh in the 42nd Street revival. His other theatrical credits include I Love My Wife, Carousel, City of Angels and Guys and Dolls. Perhaps best known for his seven-season run on "The Dukes of Hazzard," Wopat has also released several albums with CBS and Capitol Records.

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 more information visit www.chicagothemusical.com.