CHICAGO Welcomes Back Carol Woods 1/5

Tonight,  Monday January 5th, 2009, the company of the hit Broadway musical CHICAGO welcomes back Carol Woods in the role of Matron "Mama" Morton, the reigning cell block diva of the Cook County Jail.

On the big screen, Woods recently appeared as a featured soloist in Julie Taymor's Across the Universe, performing a celebrated gospel rendition of the iconic Beatles' hit "Let It Be," which she later reprised to great acclaim on the 2008 Grammy Awards broadcast. Her other feature films include Steam, Sweet and Lowdown, Honeymooners and Stepping Out. In addition to CHICAGO, Woods' Broadway and National Touring credits include The Full Monty, One Mo' Time, Follies, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Stepping Out, The Goodbye Girl, Grind, Big River and The Crucible. Her London stage credits include Blues in the Night (Olivier nomination) and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. On television, Woods has appeared in "The Practice," "Third Watch," "Law & Order" and as a series regular on "Parent Hood."

In the role of Matron "Mama" Morton, Woods succeeds Lavon Fisher-Wilson.

CHICAGO is the kiss-and-tell tale of Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who kills her lover as a career move; Billy Flynn, a sharp lawyer who turns Roxie into a celebrity; and Velma Kelly, a dancing jailbird with an ear for headlines and an eye for talent. Chicago, winner of six 1997 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, is a loving look back at vaudeville, a timely satire of the justice system, and a reminder of what great theater can be.

Currently playing at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.), CHICAGO also stars The Office's Melora Hardin in her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart, Tony Award nominee Brenda Braxton as Velma Kelly, Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt as Billy Flynn, and Scott Davidson as Amos Hart and 

With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.

Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, CHICAGO is directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking, and features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington and sound design byScott Lehrer. The production also features orchestrations by Ralph Burns, supervising music direction by Rob Fisher and music direction by Leslie Stifelman.

Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.