Crosby, who was recently seen in George C. Wolfe's Harlem Song, will join the Kander and Ebb musical March 3, replacing Roz Ryan, who currently stars as the "Class"-searching jail warden. Crosby will stay with the company through April 13.

B. J. Crosby starred on Broadway in the recent revival of One Mo' Time, and she earned a Tony nomination for her work in Smokey Joe's Cafe. Another Smokey Joe's star, Brenda Braxton, will join the Chicago cast on the same day as Crosby, replacing Caroline O'Connor in the role of Velma Kelly. Others in the company currently include Chicago veteran Belle Calaway as Roxie Hart and Kevin Richardson — of Backstreet Boys fame — as slick lawyer Billy Flynn with M. Agnes as 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 Monday, Thursday and Fridays at 8 PM, Tuesdays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 2 and 8 PM and Sundays at 2 and 7 PM. Beginning March 31, the musical will play Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 and 8 PM and Sundays at 2 and 7 PM. There are additional performances Feb. 19 at 2 and 8 PM and no performances on Feb. 19 at 7 PM or Feb. 23 at 7 PM.

The Ambassador Theatre is located at 215 West 49th Street. For ticket information, call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or visit www.telecharge.com.