Photo Coverage: CHICAGO Becomes 7th Longest Running Show in Broadway History

By: Mar. 25, 2009
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Last night at CHICAGO, the Tony winning hit musical celebrated a big milestone -- the production played its 5,125th performance, which made it the seventh-longest running show in Broadway history! The previous record-holder was "Rent," with 5,124 performances.

At intermission, CHICAGO enjoyed a big celebratory cake and champagne toast with the entire CHICAGO cast -- director, Walter Bobbie, and original "Velma," Bebe Neuwirth stopped by for a little "razzle dazzle" fun too.CHICAGO features a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, and is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who 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.

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. The record-breaking London production of CHICAGO continues to hold the record as the longest-running American musical in West End history.

CHICAGO is also currently on tour throughout the U.S. and Canada, with international tours to commence in Australia and the United Kingdom this month (March 2009).

Other previous international engagements include productions in Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Dubai, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and most recently, Thailand.

Also this year, international return engagements of CHICAGO are in the works for Korea, Japan and Holland, as well as the premiere production in Spain. International productions are slated for Argentina and Sweden in 2010, and Norway and Venezuela in 2011.

Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.

CHICAGO plays on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.). The regular weekly performance schedule is as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 8 p.m.
Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets 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 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.




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