CHICAGO opens in Bradford
JIMMY OSMOND STARS AS ‘BILLY FLYNN’ ALONGSIDE EASTENDERS STAR EMMA BARTON AS ‘ROXIE HART’
IN THE UK NATIONAL TOUR OF “CHICAGO” WHICH OPENED AT THE ALHAMBRA, BRADFORD ON 9 MARCH 2009
Jimmy Osmond as Billy Flynn
Legendary singer Jimmy Osmond started the UK National tour of the smash-hit musical “CHICAGO” last night at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford, starring as ‘Billy Flynn’ alongside Emma Barton who stars as ‘Roxie Hart’.
The youngest member of the world-renowned Osmond family, Jimmy Osmond is the youngest person ever to top the singles charts with his 1972 hit ‘Long Haired Lover From Liverpool’. As a solo artist, Jimmy has accumulated six gold records, one platinum record, and two gold albums. Jimmy and his siblings have sold over 100 million records and share 51 gold and platinum recordings. Jimmy made his UK stage debut in ‘Boogie Nights’ in Blackpool in 2004, and was subsequently a contestant in ‘I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’ in 2005. Prior to “CHICAGO”, he is making his West End stage debut in “Grease” for 6 weeks from January 2009.
Emma Barton is best known for her role as ‘Honey Mitchell’ in BBC1’s “EastEnders”. Her other television roles include ‘Spooks’ on BBC1 and ‘Secret History’ on Channel 4. Previous stage roles include ‘Peggy’ in “The Secret Garden” (RSC), ‘Norma Cassidy’ in “Victor/Victoria” (Bridewell) and ‘Marty’ in “Grease” (Victoria Palace Theatre).
“CHICAGO”, which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Scenic design is by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting by Ken Billington and sound by Rick Clarke. Musical supervision is by Rob Fisher. “CHICAGO” is choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse and directed by Walter Bobbie.
“CHICAGO” opened at the Adelphi Theatre in London on 18 November 1997 to rave reviews, winning the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for ‘Outstanding Musical Production’ as well as the 1998 Critics Circle Drama Award for ‘Best Musical’, and immediately became a sell-out hit. The show in London, now at the Cambridge Theatre, has just entered its twelfth year. “CHICAGO” currently plays in New York, Japan, Denmark and on tour in the US, with forthcoming productions in Australia, Korea, Holland and Spain.
The National UK Tour of “CHICAGO” is produced by David Ian Productions in association with the Broadway producers Barry and Fran Weissler.
