Photo Coverage: CHICAGO Celebrates 12 Years on Broadway

Saturday, November 15, 2008; Posted: 09:11 AM - by Pablo Pimienta

On Friday, November 14, 2008, Broadway's six-time Tony Award-winning smash hit musical CHICAGO celebrated two major milestones: its 12th Anniversary and its 5,000th performance on The Great White Way. Special guest, the original Velma Kelly, Tony-winner Bebe Neuwirth stopped by to cheer the cast on as they celebrated ‘CHICAGO' style! BroadwayWorld.com's cameras joined in on all the birthday fun!

Among its myriad of honors, CHICAGO has the distinction of being the second longest-running show currently on Broadway, the eighth longest-running production in Broadway history and Broadway's longest-running musical revival...and it still shows no sign of slowing down!

Directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking, the Broadway production now stars two-time Tony Award nominee Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart and Tony Award nominee Brenda Braxton as Velma Kelly.

Both Ms. d'Amboise and Ms. Braxton hold records for having played Roxie and Velma (respectively) more than any other actress in the 12-year history of the Broadway production -- over 1,250 performances each.

CHICAGO also stars Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt as Billy Flynn and Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart.

Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, CHICAGO opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14, 1996. It transferred to the Shubert Theatre on February 4, 1997 and later moved to its current home at the Ambassador Theatre on January 29, 2003.

The Broadway production received six 1997 Tony Awards (including Best Musical Revival), five Drama Desk Awards, five Outer Critics Circle Awards and the Grammy Award for Best Cast Recording.

CHICAGO has launched nine U.S. national tours since 1997, with a tenth national tour set to kick-off in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, November 11, 2008.

But CHICAGO's success is by no means limited to the United States. Since 1996, productions of CHICAGO have played a total of 23 countries throughout the world, in 11 languages.

The Olivier Award-winning London production of CHICAGO, which celebrates its 11th Anniversary this month, continues to hold the record as the longest-running American musical in West End theatre history.

In 2009, international return engagements of CHICAGO are slated for Australia, Spain and Holland, as well as the re-launch of the U.K. national tour and the premiere engagement in Bangkok, Thailand.

CHICAGO has grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, and has played over 17,000 performances for a total estimated audience on more than 18 million people.

Visit www.chicagothemusical.com for additional information.

Photos by Pablo Pimienta

Lavon Fisher-Wilson makes her debut as Matron 'Mama' Morton!

Raymond Bokhour

Tom Hewitt

Charlotte d'Amboise and Brenda Braxton

The cast of 'Chicago' takes a bow!

Tom Hewitt, Charlotte d'Amboise, Brenda Braxton and Raymond Bokhour

Bebe Neuwirth and Brenda Braxton

Tom Hewitt, Charlotte d'Amboise, Bebe Neuwirth and Brenda Braxton

Charlotte d'Amboise and Bebe Neuwirth

Tom Hewitt, Charlotte d'Amboise and Bebe Neuwirth

Charlotte d'Amboise and Bebe Neuwirth

Bebe Neuwirth and Brenda Braxton

Bebe Neuwirth and the cast of 'Chicago'!

A special cake to celebrate 12 years on broadway!

Raymond Bokhour, Lavon Fisher-Wilson and Tom Hewitt

Charlotte d'Amboise, Bebe Neuwirth and Brenda Braxton

Raymond Bokhour, Lavon Fisher-Wilson, Bebe Neuwirth, Charlotte d'Amboise and Brenda Braxton

Tom Hewitt, Raymond Bokhour, Bebe Neuwirth, Lavon Fisher-Wilson, Charlotte d'Amboise and Brenda Braxton

Related Links

CHICAGO Welcomes Back Carol Woods 1/5
Tonight, Monday January 5th, 2009, the company of the hit Broadway musical CHICAGO welcomes back Carol Woods in the role of Matron "Mama" Morton, the reigning cell block diva of the Cook County Jail.

CHICAGO'S Hardin, Braxton Guest Spot On GOOD DAY NEW YORK Available Online
CHICAGO'S Melora Hardin (Roxie Hart) and Brenda Braxton (Velma Kelly,) appeared on the December 31st episode of FOX TV's 'Good Day New York.' Hardin and Braxton performed the song 'Hot Honey Rag' for viewers.

CHICAGO'S Hardin, Braxton Guest On GOOD DAY NEW YORK 12/31
CHICAGO'S Melora Hardin (Roxie hart) and Brenda Braxton (Velma Kelly,) are set to appear on the December 31st episode of 'Good Day New York.' The show will air on Channel 5 at 7AM. Hardin and Braxton will be performing the song 'Hot Honey Rag' for viewers.

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Born and raised in Miami Florida, Pablo's interest in photography began when he was in his early 20's. What started out as a hobby soon blossomed into a great passion. A fan of the theater since his youth, it was a viewing of "Les Miserables" that first introduced him to Broadway. A desire to combine his love of theater and photojournalism finally brought him to New York City in the summer of 2008. He currently lives in Manhattan with his wife Monica.