Melanie Griffith Now to Exit Broadway's Chicago Oct. 5

By Ernio Hernandez
and Andrew Gans
August 25, 2003

Actress Melanie Griffith has extended her Broadway debut in the revival of Chicago through Oct. 5 at the Ambassador Theatre.

Griffith, who began her first Broadway stint July 11, will exit 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.

The actress — nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in "Working Girl" — portrays merry murderess Roxie Hart, the role created in this revival by Ann Reinking and recently played on screen by Renee Zellweger. Griffith is joined onstage by Deidre Goodwin (Velma Kelly), P. J. Benjamin (Amos Hart), Camille Saviola (Matron "Mama" Morton), Brent Barrett (Billy Flynn) and D. Sabella (Mary Sunshine).

Among Melanie Griffith’s many screen credits are "Body Double," "Something Wild," “The Bonfire of the Vanities,” “Paradise,” “Born Yesterday,” “Mulholland Falls,” “Lolita,” “Cecil B. DeMented” and “Stuart Little 2.” Griffith was previously scheduled to stay in the Broadway company of Chicago through Sept. 28.

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.