Wendy Williams to Begin Performances in CHICAGO, June 28

Producers Barry and Fran Weissler announced today that celebrated talk show host and best-selling author Wendy Williams will now begin her Broadway debut engagement as Matron "Mama" Morton in the Tony Award-winning musical smash CHICAGO on Friday, June 28.

Williams, who was originally set to begin performances at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.) on Tuesday, June 25, was sidelined with a sinus infection earlier this week.

"Wendy is one of the most delightful and energetic talents to have graced our stage in awhile," said Barry Weissler. "She came down with a minor sinus infection this week, but thankfully she's working with a fantastic team of doctors and specialists, and I'm happy to report that she'll be back in fighting shape very soon. I look forward to seeing her much-anticipated Broadway debut as "Mama" Mortonnext Friday."

Wendy Williams burst onto the talk show scene in July 2009 with the launch of the nationally-syndicated weekday program, "The Wendy Williams Show." Called a "breakthrough in daytime" by The New York Times, "The Wendy Williams Show," which airs in 52 countries, on BET at midnight, and is now in its fourth season, has been renewed on FOX through 2017.

Williams interviews countless A-list celebrity guests from the perspective of a fan, as she asks the questions that her audience wants to hear. A lover of classic television, Williams' TV idols growing up were Dinah Shore and Merv Griffin.

Prior to achieving success in daytime television, Williams built a devoted audience of fans throughout an enormously successful 23-year career in radio. "The Wendy Williams Experience" was Williams' top-rated, daily radio show. Syndicated nationally, it aired on WBLS in New York and was listened to by an audience of more than 12 million people. One of the most popular personalities in radio, Williams was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in November of 2009-one of only a handful of women with that honor.

Williams competed on Season 12 of ABC's smash hit dancing competition "Dancing With The Stars," has hosted Game Show Network's original series "Love Triangle," and appeared as a featured guest on ABC's "One Life to Live" and Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva."

Williams made her major motion picture debut in StEve Harvey's release of "Think Like a Man" April 2012 and has been named to The Hollywood Reporter's prestigious "35 Most Powerful People in Media" list two years in a row.

Williams is the author of The New York Times best seller The Wendy Williams Experience (Dutton Books), as well as several novels including Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood, and will release her sixth book titled Ask Wendy on May 7. She contributes a regular celebrity hot topics column to the entertainment magazine Life & Style Weekly.

In the role of Matron "Mama" Morton, Wendy Williams takes over for celebrated actress and comedienne Christine Pedi.

Williams' limited summer engagement in CHICAGO will continue through Sunday, August 11.

CHICAGO also stars Amy Spanger as Roxie Hart, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, Alexander Gemignani as Billy Flynn, Paul C. Vogt as Amos Hart and R. Lowe as 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 still 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.

Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.

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

Mondays at 8 p.m.

Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

Thursdays at 8 p.m.

Fridays 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.

Buy Tickets to Chicago - from $73