Yonekura originated the role of Roxie in the Japanese-language production of Chicago in 2008 and returned to the musical in 2010. She then learned the role in English and made her Broadway debut in 2012. Following her return to Broadway this year, Yonekura will join the Chicago U.S. national touring company in Tokyo, August 2–13 at the Tokyu Theater Orb.

From 2012–16 Yonekura starred on the hit Japanese TV series Doctor X as Surgeon Michiko Daimon, for which she earned the Hashida Award. The show’s fourth season became the most-watched TV series aired in 2016. Her other theatre credits include Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With The Wind (Kazuo Kikuta Drama Award winner) and Motoko Haraguchi in Kurokawa no Techo.

Chicago currently stars Mel B as Roxie Hart (through February 19), Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, Tony Award nominee Christopher Sieber as Billy Flynn, Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Matron “Mama” Morton, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Ebb, Chicago is now the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, the musical is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.

Directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking, Chicago features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington, sound design by Scott Lehrer, and casting by Stewart/Whitley.