Lawrence, O'Hurley, Wopat, Etc. Join Chicago 10th Year Gala

Barry and Fran Weissler, producers of Chicago have announced more celebrity alumni set to participate in the gala 10th Anniversary performance of the hit musical on Tuesday, November 14th at 6:30 PM at the Ambassador Theatre.

The anniversary milestone performance of Chicago will celebrate the musical's record-breaking 10th year on Broadway and will help raise awareness and funds for Safe Horizon, the nation's leading victim assistance organization.

Set to join the original cast, Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, Joel Grey and Marcia Lewis and the previously announced star alumni (Brooke Shields, Melanie Griffith, Marilu Henner, Patrick Swayze, Gregory Harrison, Alan Thicke and Wayne Brady) will be: P.J. Benjamin, John O'Hurley, Obba Babatunde, Sharon Lawrence, Lynda Carter, Paige Davis, Bianca Marroquin, Chuck Cooper, Christopher MacDonald, Destan Owens, Tom Wopat, Ron Raines, Gerry McIntyre, Raymond Bokhour, Kevin Carolan, Tom McGowan, Ron Orbach and Bruce Winant.  The alumni will collectively present Chicago in its entirety. Walter Bobbie, the Tony winning director, will be helming the once-in-a-lifetime event. More stars will be announced shortly.

Barry Weissler said, "It's an amazing testament to the genius of the creators, Bob Fosse and John Kander & Fred Ebb that our production of Chicago has played over 4,500 performances and will celebrate its 10th year. Every talented actor who has graced our stage for the past 10 years as well as all of our backstage crew and musicians contributed to the enormous success of Chicago. Not only has it been a glorious ride on Broadway, but its many international and national productions have proven that Chicago is a timeless show which audiences have responded to for its brilliant concept, book, music and dancing."

For over a quarter of a century, Safe Horizon has been moving victims of violence from crisis to confidence. Whether it is child abuse, domestic violence, homicide or other violent crimes, Safe Horizon helps victims and their families heal and rebuild their lives. "We are thrilled to partner with the wonderful organization Safe Horizon which provides much needed assistance to victims of violence throughout the country," says Weissler.

Honorary Chairs for the evening are Rocco Landesman, James Nederlander, Sr. and Gerald Schoenfeld.

Chicago is the longest-running revival of a book musical in Broadway history.  Neuwirth and Naughton won Tony Awards for their performances, while Lewis was nominated and Reinking earned a Tony for her choreography (which channeled the original choreography of Bob Fosse).

Chicago opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14th, 1996; it then played the Shubert before reaching its current home at the Ambassador.  Chicago received 6 1997 Tonys (including Best Revival of a Musical) under Bobbie's direction.  The revival, based on Bobbie's stylistically stripped-down Encores! staging, featured direction as well as choreography by Fosse in its original 1975 production. Chicago features a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Fosse

Chicago currently stars Rita Wilson as Roxie Hart, Obba Babatunde as Billy Flynn, Branda Braxton as Velma, Kevin Chamberlin as Amos Hart, Lillias White as Matron "Mama" Morton, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.  On August 22nd, Bianca Marroquin returns to the show as Roxie and R&B star Usher begins performances as Billy.

Tickets range from $500-$5,000; Sponsorships begin at $10,000. To become a sponsor, reserve tickets or for more information contact Safe Horizon at 212-577-7749.   Visit www.chicagothemusical.com for more information.