Lemenager Will Be Chicago's Next Velma

By Andrew Gans
May 12, 2008

Nancy Lemenager, who starred in the short-lived Broadway musical Never Gonna Dance, will join the New York company of Kander and Ebb's Chicago May 19.

Lemenager will succeed Tony nominee Brenda Braxton in the role of merry murderess Velma Kelly. Braxton, a long-time fixture in the musical at the Ambassador Theatre, played her final performance May 11. Until Lemenager arrives, Nicole Bridgewater will play the part originated in this revival by Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth. Lemenager is scheduled to stay with the production through July 13. (Grammy winner Mya had been scheduled to play Velma, but her Broadway debut was postponed when the singing actress broke her foot.)

In other Chicago news, Michelle DeJean will return to the role of Roxie Hart June 2.

In addition to Never Gonna Dance, Lemenager has been seen on Broadway in Movin' Out; Kiss Me, Kate; Dream; How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; and Guys and Dolls. Her regional credits include She Loves Me (Helen Hayes nomination), The Studio, Italian American Reconciliation, Sweet Charity and Company.

Chicago currently stars Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Jeff McCarthy as Billy Flynn, Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart and Kecia Lewis-Evans as Matron "Mama" Morton.

  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.

For more information visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com.