Chicago Welcomes Amra-Faye Wright Feb. 2

By Andrew Gans
02 Feb 2009

Amra-Faye Wright in Chicago.
Amra-Faye Wright in Chicago.

Amra-Faye Wright, who has been seen in the London and South African companies of Chicago, joins the New York cast of the Tony-winning Kander and Ebb revival Feb. 2 in the role of Velma Kelly.

Wright succeeds Brenda Braxton, who played her final performance Feb. 1. Wright joins a cast that currently includes Melora Hardin as Roxie Hart, Tom Hewitt as Billy Flynn, Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton, Scott Davidson as Amos Hart and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

In addition to Chicago, Amra-Faye Wright's other theatrical credits include Vi Moore in Footloose (UK tour), Sandy in Grease (Johannesburg Superbowl) and Sheila in A Chorus Line (Civic Theatre, Johannesburg).

As previously announced, the hit production at the Ambassador Theatre will also welcome the return of Tony nominee Charlotte d'Amboise Feb. 13 (in the role of Roxie Hart) and Tony nominee Tom Wopat Feb. 16 (in the role of Billy Flynn). D'Amboise will replace Melora Hardin, who concludes her limited run Feb. 12; Wopat will follow Tom Hewitt, who will offer his final performance Feb. 15.

[D'Amboise will also star as merry murderess Hart when the national tour of Chicago plays Chicago's Ford Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 26-March 8.]

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.

The long-running musical celebrated its 12th anniversary and its 5,000th performance on Broadway Nov. 14, 2008.

Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.