John Schneider Joins 'Chicago' as New Billy Jan.14

This winter, Broadway's record-breaking musical smash Chicago welcomes television icon John Schneider to the company in the role of slick criminal lawyer Billy Flynn for a nine-week limited engagement, Monday, January 14, 2008 through Sunday, March 16 at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.).

John Schneider is a celebrated star of stage and screen, in addition to being an accomplished recording artist and philanthropist. Television audiences will quickly recognize Schneider from his roles in "Nip/Tuck," "Smallville," and as Bo Duke in the internationally acclaimed television series "The Dukes of Hazzard." This March, he will appear in the new HBO drama series "12 Miles of Bad Road."

Also an accomplished guitar player, singer and songwriter, Schneider has released a total of 11 solo albums. In the early '90s, he made his Broadway stage debut as Felix Von Gaigern in the Tony-nominated musical Grand Hotel. His other stage credits include The Will Rogers Follies, Brigadoon, The Music Man, The Civil War and last summer's production of Mame at the Hollywood Bowl.

Schneider is also a co-founder the Children's Miracle Network, an international non-profit organization dedicated to helping children by raising funds (more than $3.5 billion to-date) and awareness for 170 children's hospitals throughout North America.

Now celebrating eleven glorious years of girls, guns, glitz and glamour on the Great White Way, the record-breaking smash hit musical Chicago is currently the eighth longest-running production in Broadway history, as well as Broadway's longest-running musical revival…and it still shows no sign of ever slowing down!

"Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids," explain press notes.

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.

Directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking, Chicago features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer.

Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, Chicago has become a worldwide phenomenon. On December 5, 2007, the London production of Chicago celebrated its 10th year on the West End. Other previous international engagements include productions in Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Dubai, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Sweden and Taiwan.

An upcoming production is slated for Korea in the coming months, and a Japanese language production is scheduled for Japan in 2008.

Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com  for more information.

Chicago plays on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.). The regular performance schedule is as follows: Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8PM; Tuesday and Sunday evenings at 7PM; Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2PM.

Tickets are scaled at $59 - $111.50 (all ticket prices include a $1.50 facility fee) and are available by calling Telecharge.com at 212-239-6200. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Ambassador Theatre Box Office. Regular Box Office hours are 10AM-8PM. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and noon to 7PM Sundays.

John Schneider