Melanie Griffith Ends Broadway Chicago Run Oct. 5

By Andrew Gans
05 Oct 2003

Melanie Griffith in Chicago.
Melanie Griffith in Chicago.

Melanie Griffith ends her much-in-the-news Broadway debut engagement Oct. 5.She departs the John Kander and Fred Ebb musical as husband Antonio Banderas exits the Tony-winning revival of Nine at the Eugene O'Neill — across the street on West 49th St.

Griffith has been starring in the Tony-winning revival of Chicago since July 11.

The actress — nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in "Working Girl" — portrayed merry murderess Roxie Hart, the role created in this revival by Ann Reinking and recently played on screen by Renee Zellweger. Griffith received a rave review from The New York Times' Ben Brantley for her performance.

Charlotte D'Amboise, a frequent Roxie, replaces Griffith beginning Oct. 7. Also entering the musical that day is Reva Rice as Velma Kelly, replacing Deidre Goodwin. Goodwin heads to the new musical Never Gonna Dance. The Chicago cast also includes P. J. Benjamin (Amos Hart), Camille Saviola (Matron "Mama" Morton), Brent Barrett (Billy Flynn) and D. Sabella (Mary Sunshine).

Chicago won the Tony 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 at the Ambassador located at 215 West 49th Street. For ticket information, call (212) 239-6200 or click here.