Chicago: Bianca Marroquin to play 'Roxie,' Carol Woods to play 'Mama Morton' Tom Hewitt and R. Lowe both extend their run

Bianca Marroquin will once again play the role of 'Roxie Hart' in the Broadway company of Chicago from 22 - 28 Dec 2008.

As previously announced, Charlotte d'Amboise who currently plays 'Roxie' leaves the show on 21 Dec 2008, to be replaced by Melora Hardin from 29 Dec 2008.

Marroquin first portrayed 'Roxie Hart' in the Mexico City production of Chicago in 2002. For that performance, she received five awards from the Mexican Critics Association, including New Revelation and Best Actress. Following the success of that production, she was then invited to crossover from Mexico City to New York City, and made her English-language debut as 'Roxie Hart' on Broadway later that year. She recently played 'Roxie Hart'on Broadway from 15 - 28 Sep 2008 to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

In further casting news:

Carol Woods will return to the role of 'Matron 'Mama' Morton' from 5 Jan 2009, assuming the role from LaVon Fisher-Wilson who will play her final performance on 4 Jan 2009.

Tom Hewitt who has been playing the role of slick criminal lawyer 'Billy Flynn' since 3 Nov 2008, has extended his run from the originally announced 4 Jan 2009, though to 12 Feb 2009.

R. Lowe, who has been playing 'Mary Sunshine,' since 8 Jul 2008, has now extended his run through to 12 Apr 2009, it had been scheduled to end on 4 Dec 2008.

Carol Woods' Broadway credits, in addition to Chicago, include 'One Mo' Time' (2002), '45 Seconds From Broadway' (2001), 'Follies' (2001 revival), 'The Goodbye Girl' (1993), 'A Little Hotel on the Side' (1992 revival), 'The Crucible' (1991), 'Stepping Out' (1987) and 'Grind' (1985).

Tom Hewitt received a Tony nomination for his performance as 'Frank N. Furter' in 'The Rocky Horror Show' (2000 revival). His other Broadway credits include 'Dracula, The Musical' (2004), 'The Boys form Syracuse' (2002 revival), 'The Lion King' (1997); 'The School for Scandal' (1995 revival) and 'The Sisters Rosenzweig.' (1993).

Now celebrating twelve years on the Great White Way, Chicago is the second longest-running production currently playing on Broadway, as well as Broadway's longest-running musical revival.

The show has been playing on Broadway since 14 Nov 1996, it moved to the Ambassador Theatre on the 29 Jan 2003 where it is currently booking through to 28 Jun 2009.

Chicago follows not your usual housewife, Roxie Hart, who gains dubious notoriety when she kills her boyfriend, invents her defence and manipulates everyone from her trustworthy husband to the fickle media and the unsuspecting public. The show features the well known songs, 'All That Jazz,' 'Razzle Dazzle' and 'Mr. Cellophane'.

Chicago currently stars Brenda Braxton (Velma Kelly), Charlotte d'Amboise (Roxie Hart), Tom Hewitt (Billy Flynn), LaVon Fisher-Wilson (Matron 'Mama' Morton), Scott Davidson (Amos Hart) and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).

Chicago has music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Book by Bob Fosse & Fred Ebb.

The musical is directed by Walter Bobbie, with choreography by Ann Reinking, scene design by John Lee Beatty, costumes by William Ivey Long, lighting by Ken Billington and sound by Scott Lehrer.

Chicago is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. It is the eighth longest-running production in Broadway history, as well as Broadway�s longest-running musical revival.