Broadway’s record-breaking hit musical Chicago has just announced that Tony Award nominee Robyn Hurder (known for her roles in A Beautiful Noise and Moulin Rouge! The Musical) has returned to the cell block as “Velma Kelly.” Her stint will through Sunday, June 16, at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St., NYC). Hurder’s history with Chicago includes performing as Mona in the ensemble and covering the role of Roxie Hart. Notably, Chicago holds the title of the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit ChicagoTheMusical.com.
Current Cast Highlights
Robyn Hurder’s Career
Robyn Hurder’s recent work includes her portrayal of Marcia Murphy in A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical, for which she received a Drama Desk nomination and won a Chita Rivera Award. Her performance as Nini in Moulin Rouge! The Musical earned her a Tony Award nomination. Hurder’s extensive Broadway credits also feature roles in Nice Work If You Can Get It (Jeannie), Grease (Marty), The Wedding Singer (Holly cover), and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Violet). Her appearances at New York City Center Encores! include A Chorus Line (Cassie), The New Yorkers (Lola), and Paint Your Wagon (Cherry). Touring credits involve A Chorus Line (Cassie), Spamalot, and Starlight Express (Pearl). Regionally, she has played Lois Lane in Kiss Me, Kate and Polly Baker in Crazy for You. Her film and TV work includes Fosse/Verdon (FX).
About Chicago
With an iconic book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago continues to captivate audiences as the longest-running American musical on Broadway. The current cast features Ariana Madix as Roxie Hart, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, Max von Essen as Billy Flynn, Lili Thomas as Matron “Mama” Morton, Red Concepción as Amos Hart, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine. The ensemble includes Eddie Bennett, Max Clayton, Kristine Covillo, Jennifer Dunne, Jessica Ernest, Jeff Gorti, Arian Keddell, Mary Claire King, Marty Lawson, Joseph London, Sharon Moore, Drew Nellessen, Kristen Faith Oei, Denny Paschall, Angel Reda, Jermaine R. Rembert, Michael Scirrotto, and Colt Adam Weiss.
Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, Chicago has won six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. The production is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking. The creative team features set design by Tony Award winner John Lee Beatty, costume design by Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington, sound design by Tony Award winner Scott Lehrer, casting by ARC/Duncan Stewart, CSA & Patrick Maravilla, and Executive Producer Alecia Parker.
The Story of Chicago
Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her lover after he threatens to leave her. To avoid conviction, she manipulates the public, the media, and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into sensational headlines, mirroring today’s tabloid culture.