Chicago the Musical at the Kimmel Center to Star Jerry Springer

Straight from the West End, Jerry Springer will play Billy Flynn in the Chicago National Tour which stops in Philly September 15-20, 2009 at the Kimmel Center.

The official press release states: Throughout an illustrious career, Jerry Springer has become a cultural and civic icon. In addition to talk show host, he has been the mayor of Cincinnati, political pundit, lawyer, award-winning newscaster, country recording artist, and international Emcee and TV personality. He has been in movies, on Broadway, is a progressive talk-radio broadcaster, and most recently won America's heart with his ballroom dancing.

Murder. Greed. Corruption. Violence. Exploitation. Adultery. Treachery. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously 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.

With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy® Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.

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. The production also features orchestrations by Ralph Burns, supervising music direction by Rob Fisher.

Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, CHICAGO has become a worldwide phenomenon. The London production of CHICAGO continues to hold the record as the longest running American Musical in West End history.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, July 31 at 10am, and range in price from $25 to $75 with a limited number of VIP premium seats available for $100. Part of the Broadway Series, tickets can be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce Sts. (open daily 10am to 6pm) or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad & Locust Sts. (open during performances only). Groups of 15 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883.

Performances include: Tuesday - Thursday evenings at 7:30pm; Friday & Saturday evening at 8pm; Sunday evening at 6:30pm; matinees Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 1pm

Visit the Kimmel Center online for more information. www.KimmelCenter.org

CHICAGO is a production not to be missed. And all the reviewers agree. Time Magazine calls it "A Triumph," Newsweek raves "Smashing" and Entertainment Weekly sums it up by calling CHICAGO "Broadway's Most Electrifying Show." Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.

In addition to CHICAGO, 2009-2010 Broadway Series productions at the Academy of Music, Forrest Theatre and Merriam Theater will include: Mamma Mia! (Nov. 3 - 8); White Christmas (Nov. 24 - Dec. 6); Wicked (Jan. 6 - 24), Disney's The Lion King (March 30 - April 4); August: Osage County (April 27 - May 2) at the Forrest Theatre; Avenue Q (June 18 - 20); and Dreamgirls (June 21 - 27).

Additional newly-added Broadway Series productions will include: The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis (Nov. 24); RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles (Feb. 2 - 7); The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Feb. 26 - 28) at the Merriam Theater; ANNIE (Feb. 26 - 28) at the Merriam Theater; GROOVALOO The Hip Hop Experience (March 9 - 14) at the Merriam Theater; Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance (May 14 - 16) at the Merriam Theater.

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