Tony-Winning Revival of Chicago Celebrates 26 Years on Broadway November 14

The Tony, Olivier, and Grammy-winning revival of Chicago celebrates 26 years on Broadway November 14 at the Ambassador Theatre. The hit musical is currently the second-longest running show in Broadway history (after The Phantom of the Opera).

Since its opening in 1996, Chicago has grossed more than $700 million on Broadway and $1.6 billion worldwide. It’s been seen by more than 32 million people and played more than 32,500 performances around the world in 36 countries and more than 500 cities.

Look Back at the Original Cast of Chicago's Broadway Revival

The current Broadway cast features Charlotte d’Amboise as Roxie Hart, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, Ryan Silverman as Billy Flynn, Charity Angél Dawson as Matron “Mama” Morton, Isaac Mizrahi as Amos Hart, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

The ensemble includes David Bushman, Jennifer Dunne, Jessica Ernest, Jeff Gorti, Arian Keddell, Mary Claire King, Joseph London, Barrett Martin, Sharon Moore, Drew Nellessen, Celina Nightengale, Brian O'Brien, Denny Paschall, Jermaine R. Rembert, Rachel Schur, Michael Scirrotto, Christine Cornish Smith, and Brian Spitulnik.

The revival of 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 November 14, 1996, where it remained through February 1997. The musical transferred to the Shubert Theatre and played that house through January 26, 2003. The revival reopened at the Ambassador Theatre January 29 that year.

READ: Cast Recording of Broadway's Chicago Revival Will Be Reissued on Vinyl

With a book by the late Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Ebb, Chicago features direction by Walter Bobbie, choreography by the late Ann Reinking, set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Scott Lehrer, and casting by Stewart/Whitley.

READ: How the Chicago Costumes Have Evolved Over 25 Years

The current production, produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997 as well as awards for actors Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, director Bobbie, lighting designer Billington, and Reinking. The original production was directed and choreographed by the late Fosse.