Dutch musical actress Simone Kleinsma announced this week that she has become pregnant and will not play the part of Roxie Hart in the upcoming Dutch production of Chicago. This production, which opened on Broadway on November 14, 1996, is set to open on November 29th, 1998 at the Jaarbeurs Theatre in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Previews are to start November 14th, 1998. Simone Kleinsma was the only actress confirmed for the Dutch version of the musical. The Dutch version of Chicago will be directed by Scott Farris, with Ann Reinking recreating her Broadway choreography in the style of Bob Fosse. Casting of this production has turned out to be especially difficult in The Netherlands, with special master classes given for people who wanted to audition. Although rumours abound over the casting, the definite casting will not be announced until May 12th, with rehearsals starting October 6th.

A previous production of Chicago was presented in The Netherlands by the Koninklijk Ballet van Vlaanderen (The Royal Ballet of Flanders) in 1989. The current London production of Chicago is co-produced by Dodger Endemol, a joint venture between Joop van den Ende Theaterprodukties and Dodger Theatrical Productions.

Besides the current productions of Chicago on Broadway and in London, the musical has also been announced to open in Melbourne, Australia on July 4, 1998 at the Her Majesty's Theatre and in Vienna, Austria at the Theater an der Wien on 24 September 1998 for a limited run until 31 December 1998, before transferring to a yet unnamed German Theatre.