Babatundé and Chamberlin Return to Broadway's Chicago July 15

By Andrew Gans
July 15, 2008

The Tony-winning Broadway revival of Chicago welcomes back two of its former leading men July 15.

Obba Babatundé returns to the role of slick lawyer Billy Flynn. Babatundé replaces Jeff McCarthy, who played his final performance July 13. Babatundé is scheduled for a two-week engagement through July 27. He will be succeeded by current A Catered Affair star Tom Wopat, who returns to the role of Flynn July 29.

July 15 also marks the return of Kevin Chamberlin, who again steps into the shoes of put-upon husband Amos Hart. Chamberlin succeeds Raymond Bokhour, who played his final performance July 13.

Chicago also currently features Michelle DeJean as Roxie Hart, Nancy Lemenager as Velma Kelly and Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton.

The long-running musical will celebrate its 12th anniversary on Broadway Nov. 14 and its 5,000th performance Nov. 28.

Obba Babatundé received a Tony nomination for his work as C.C. White in Dreamgirls; his other Broadway credits include Timbuktu!, Reggae, It's So Nice to Be Civilized and Grind. His screen credits include "After the Sunset," "The Manchurian Candidate," "Material Girls" and "Half & Half."

Kevin Chamberlin received Tony and Drama Desk nominations for his performances in Dirty Blonde and Seussical. His other Broadway credits include Chicago, The Ritz, My Favorite Year, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Triumph of Love and the City Center Encores! mountings of Stairway to Paradise, Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 and One Touch of Venus. Off-Broadway he was seen opposite Sarah Jessica Parker in Wonder of the World.

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 219 West 49th Street.

Visit www.chicagothemusical.com for additional information.