NewsPHOTO CALL: Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, James Naughton, Marilu Henner, Joel Grey and More Chicago Alumni Celebrate the Show's Milestone NightOn Nov. 23 at 7 PM, the long-running, Tony-winning revival of Chicago played its 7,486th performance, surpassing Cats to become the second longest-running show in Broadway history.
Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, James Naughton, Marilu Henner, Joel Grey and More Chicago Alumni Celebrate the Show's Milestone Night
Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, James Naughton, Marilu Henner, Joel Grey and More Chicago Alumni Celebrate the Show's Milestone Night
On Nov. 23 at 7 PM, the long-running, Tony-winning revival of Chicago played its 7,486th performance, surpassing Cats to become the second longest-running show in Broadway history.
94 PHOTOS
Brenda Braxton
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Joel Grey
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Marilu Henner
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Michael Brown and Marilu Henner
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Cynthia Lopez
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Terrence Mann and Charlotte d'Amboise
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
James Naughton
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Bebe Neuwirth
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Bebe Neuwirth
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Bebe Neuwirth and Chris Calkins
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Lisa Mesloh O'Hurley and John O'Hurley
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
John O'Hurley, Marilu Henner, Joel Grey and Bebe Neuwirth
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Christine Pedi
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Christine Pedi
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Christopher Sieber
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Amy Spanger and Elizabeth Stanley
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Paul C. Vogt
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Carol Woods
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Barbara Holt Shrader, B.J. Holt, Rachel Wilkin, Connie Wilkin, Jason Wilkin. Alecia Parker and Michael Parker
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Ken Billington
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Walter Bobbie, James Naughton and Michael Berresse
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Amra-Faye Wright, Cynthia Lopez and Bianca Marroquín
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Amra-Faye Wright and Bianca Marroquín
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Amra-Faye Wright, Walter Bobbie and Bianca Marroquín
Reinking, Neuwirth, Naughton and Grey — who originated the roles of Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly, Billy Flynn and Amos Hart, respectively — each made cameo appearances at various points in the milestone performance.
"What a joy to welcome back all four of the legendary stars who launched this incredibly beautiful production eighteen years ago!" said producer Barry Weissler in an earlier statement. "Sometimes, it seems like only yesterday, yet here we are — just a few weeks away from becoming the second longest-running show in Broadway history. Walter Bobbie and Ann Reinking recreated a musical masterpiece that has withstood the test of time, and it's with great honor that I look forward to sharing their masterpiece with audiences for many more years to come."
Producer Fran Weissler added, "This incredible moment is a testament not only to the unparalleled genius of the Chicago creators -- John Kander, Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse -- but to the magnificent contributions from countless actors, musicians, stagehands, dance captains, crew members, advertising and marketing gurus, stage managers, production managers and more who have participated in our show these past 18 years. They continually succeed at being the absolute best in the business!" Chicago has 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, musical supervision by Rob Fisher and musical direction by Leslie Stifelman.
The revival of John Kander and Fred Ebb's Chicago began life as one of the three annual Encores! presentations offered by City Center. The musical opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in November 1996 where it remained through February 1997. The musical transferred to the Shubert Theatre on Feb. 11, 1997, and played that house through Jan. 26, 2003. The revival reopened at the Ambassador Theatre, its current home, on Jan. 29, 2003.
Chicago won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997 as well as awards for actors Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, director Walter Bobbie, lighting designer Ken Billington and choreographer Ann Reinking. The original production was directed and choreographed by the late Bob Fosse.
The Ambassador Theatre is located at 219 W. 49th Street.