Chicago: Brian McKnight to make his Broadway debut playing Billy Flynn

Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum R&B singer Brian McKnight is to join the cast of the Broadway musical Chicago.

For his Broadway stage debut, McKnight assumes the role of slickster criminal lawyer Billy Flynn from 8 Oct - 18 Nov. The musical is currently booking through to 23 Dec 2007 at the Ambassador Theatre.

Prior to Broadway, McKnight will perform the role in a two-week engagement at Washington D.C.�s Warner Theatre with the Chicago national touring company, from 25 Sep - 7 Oct 2007.

McKnight is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, arranger, producer and musician. He has released a total of ten R&B/pop albums in fifteen years, seven of which have gone platinum or multi-platinum.

Chicago currently stars Lisa Rinna as Roxie Hart, Brenda Braxton as Velma Kelly, Harry Hamlin as Billy Flynn, Rob Bartlett as Amos Hart and Roz Ryan as Matron �Mama� Morton.

Further cating news can be expected to be announced shortly, as all the current cast, with the exception of R. Lowe, are only committed to remain in the show through to 29 Jul 2007.

The musical 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 to 2 Sep 2007. The show celebrated its 10th anniversary on 14 Nov 2006.

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. This November, the London production will celebrate its 10th year on the West End.

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

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

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.