A spokesperson for the production confirmed that Wopat will begin his stint as slick lawyer Billy Flynn in the Kander and Ebb musical when the tour hits Seattle's Paramount Theatre Jan. 27. The Chicago tour is currently playing Los Angeles' Pantages Theatre; the present cast features Patrick Swayze as Billy Flynn, Reva Rice as Velma Kelly, Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart and Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton. Wopat will play engagements in Phoenix, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; Dallas, TX; Portland, OR; Palm Desert, CA; and Miami, FL.
Tom Wopat received a Tony nomination for his role as Frank Butler opposite Bernadette Peters in the Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun, and recently starred as Julian Marsh in the 42nd Street revival. His other theatrical credits include I Love My Wife, Carousel, City of Angels and Guys and Dolls. Perhaps best known for his seven-season run on "The Dukes of Hazzard," Wopat has also released several albums with CBS and Capitol Records.
Chicago, also playing Broadway's Ambassador Theatre, 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.
For more information visit www.chicagothemusical.com.