The West End had it comin’. Even before previews have begun of the upcoming Chicago revival, the production has announced it is extending until 6 October at the Phoenix Theatre.
Producers revealed today that the Kander & Ebb musical, which returns to the West End following a five-and-a-half year absence from London, will play a further extended period in London. Casting for this new booking period is to be announced at a later date.
The cast for the first booking period, which runs from 26 March to 30 June 2018, is led by Cuba Gooding Jr in his West End debut, alongside Sarah Soetaert, Josefina Gabrielle, Ruthie Henshall and Paul Rider. This cast will also feature Alan Richardson, Michelle Antrobus, Natalie Bennyworth, Nicola Coates, Frances Dee, Zoe Gappy, Emma Harris, Chelsea Labadini, Joanna Rennie, Abramo Ciullo, Francis Foreman, Luke Jarvis, Matt Krzan, Charles Ruhrmund, Todd Talbot, Callum Macdonald, Chris Warner Drake and Matthew Wesley.
This production of Chicago originally opened at the Adelphi Theatre in 1997 and went on to play in London for a grand total of 15 years, becoming the West End’s longest running revival. It claimed the 1998 Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production.
Chicago also continues to play on Broadway, where it recently celebrated its 21st birthday, and around the world in multiple languages. It is the world’s longest running American musical.
Based on the play by Maurice Dallas Watkins, the satirical musical tells the story of two rival performers locked up in the same County Jail, both striving for the notoriety of celebrity criminal status. Its famous numbers include All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, When You’re Good To Mama and Razzle Dazzle.
You can book your West End tickets for Chicago right here!