Woods, who was recently part of the national tour of the Kander and Ebb musical, will play Matron "Mama" Morton for three weeks, Jan. 31-Feb. 20. Anne L. Nathan, who Woods succeeds in the role, will return to the New York cast Feb. 21.

Chicago — featuring a score by John Kander and the late Fred Ebb — currently stars Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart, Brent Barrett as Billy Flynn, Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly, Ray Bokhour as Amos Hart and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

Carol Woods' numerous theatrical credits include The Full Monty, Chicago, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Steppin' Out, The Goodbye Girl, Grind, Big River and the revival of Stephen Sondheim's Follies. Woods' London credits include Blues in the Night, for which she received an Olivier Award nomination, and the National Theatre's production of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. The singer-actress is a founding member of the National Actors Theatre.

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.