Wilson's Chicago Extension Cancelled; DeJean Fills In

Due to other commitments, Rita Wilson will no longer be performing in Chicago through August 20th. 

The screen actress, who is making her Broadway debut, has cancelled her extended run and will now play her last performance on August 6th.  Michelle DeJean (Chicago on Broadway, tours of West Side Story and Jesus Christ Superstar), currently playing Roxie in the smash revival's national tour, announced on her website that will take on the role on Broadway from August 8th through August 20th.  A successor has not been announced, although Tori Spelling has been rumored as a strong candidate.

Chicago also currently stars 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.  R&B star Usher joins the cast as Billy on August 22nd.

Wilson's screen credits include Sleepless in Seattle, That Thing You Do, Jingle All the Way, Runaway Bride, The Story of Us, Now and Then, Mixed Nuts, and Volunteers (where she met husband Tom Hanks); she was also seen in "If These Walls Could Talk." Television appearances include HBO's "Barbarians at the Gate," as well as guest roles on "Frasier," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm". She also donned a producer's cap for the indie film hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Chicago, which opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14th 1996, has reached a run of over 4,000 performances at the Ambassador Theatre (215 W. 49th St.); the show will celebrate its 10 year anniversary in November. Chicago received 6 1997 Tonys (including Best Revival of a Musical) under the direction of Walter Bobbie and the choreography of star Ann Reinking. The revival, based on Bobbie's stylistically stripped-down Encores! staging, featured direction and choreography by Bob Fosse in its original 1975 production. Chicago features a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse.

For more information on Chicago, visit www.chicagothemusical.com. For tickets, call Telecharge at 212 239 6200, or visit www.telecharge.com.