Japanese star Ryoko Yonekura, who made her Broadway debut in Chicago in 2012, returns to the New York company for a third time beginning July 1 at the Ambassador Theatre.
Yonekura steps back into the role of Roxie Hart for 16 performances through July 14. Following her run in New York, she will join the Chicago U.S. national touring company, opposite Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, in Japan for limited engagements in Osaka (August 1-4 at the Orix Theater) and in Tokyo (August 7-18 at the Tokyu Theatre Orb).
Yonekura originated the role of Roxie in the Japanese-language production of Chicago in 2008 and again in 2010. She then learned the role in English and made her Broadway debut in 2012, returning to the company and joining the U.S. touring company in Japan in 2017.
The Broadway cast currently stars Wright as Velma Kelly, Ryan Silverman 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 Fred Ebb, Chicago is the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, Chicago is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.
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Directed by Tony winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Tony winner Ann Reinking, Chicago features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Tony winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony winner Ken Billington, sound design by Scott Lehrer, and casting by Stewart/Whitley.
