Monk succeeds Carol Woods in the role of Matron "Mama" Morton in the Broadway company of the Tony-winning Kander and Ebb musical. Monk is slated to stay with the revival through Jan. 8, 2006. The musical at the Ambassador Theatre will also welcome another new star this week: On Sept. 9 Brooke Shields assumes the role of Roxie Hart.

Debra Monk received a Tony Award for her work in Redwood Curtain and received Tony nominations for her performances in Picnic and Steel Pier. Her other theatrical credits include roles in Reckless; Time of the Cuckoo (Obie Award); Ah, Wilderness!; Ancestral Voices; Company; Nick and Nora; Prelude to a Kiss; The Seagull; Death Defying Acts; Three Hotels; Oil Symphony; Assassins; and Pump Boys and Dinettes. Her many screen credits include "Center Stage," "Devil's Advocate," "In & Out," "Substance of Fire," "Extreme Measures," "Law & Order" and "Redwood Curtain." Monk received an Emmy Award for her work in ABC-TV's "NYPD Blue."

Chicago currently features Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart, Luba Mason as Velma Kelly, P.J. Benjamin as Amos Hart and Christopher McDonald as Billy Flynn.

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.