Tony Nominee Christopher Fitzgerald Returns to Broadway's CHICAGO in a New Role Tonight

Two-time Tony nominee Christopher Fitzgerald rejoins the Broadway cast of Chicago as Billy Flynn -- his second starring role in the acclaimed production-- beginning tonight, August 5.

Fitzgerald, who made his Chicago debut last October as Roxie Hart's all-but-invisible husband, "Mister Cellophane" Amos Hart, returns to the company next week as Billy Flynn, "the silver-tongued Prince of the Courtroom."

With that, he becomes the first actor in the show's 18-year history to be contracted to perform both starring male roles.

"Chris Fitzgerald is one of the most versatile and in-demand actors working in the theatre today," said Chicago producer Barry Weissler. "We've followed his Broadway career for several years, and his character choices and interpretation of roles have always been remarkable. He was fantastic as Amos Hart last fall, and I can't wait for our audiences to see his portrayal of Billy Flynn in a few short days."

Chicago marks Fitzgerald's sixth Broadway show. In addition to his Tony-nominated performances in Finian's Rainbow and Young Frankenstein, he also appeared in Amour (Drama Desk nomination), Wicked and most recently, The Merchant of Venice. His numerous Off-Broadway credits include Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Toward the Somme (Lincoln Center), Saturday Night (Second Stage Theatre, DramaDesk nomination), Wise Guys (New York Theatre Workshop), Corpus Christi (Manhattan Theatre Club) and The Cripple of Inishmaan (Public Theater).

Last year on the big screen, he starred opposite Kristen Wiig and Annette Bening in the Lionsgate feature film Girl Most Likely. His other film credits include Larry Gaye: Renegade Male Flight Attendant, Personal Velocity and Dedication. On television he has appeared as a series regular in "Twins" on the WB, on NBC's "Next Caller" and on PBS' "The Electric Company." In the role of Billy Flynn, Fitzgerald takes over for Olivier Award nominee Brent Barrett, who played his final performance on Sunday, July 27. Chicago also stars Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, Paul C. Vogt as Amos Hart, Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton and R. Lowe and Mary Sunshine.

With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history -- and it shows no sign of ever slowing down!

Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, Chicago 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 Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking, Chicago features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer.