“Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery… all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts”… so begins the international award-winning musical CHICAGO, which begins a national tour at Bradford Alhambra Theatre on Friday 10 February 2012 starring Ali Bastian as Roxie Hart, Stefan Booth as Billy Flynn, Tupele Dorgu as Velma Kelly and Bernie Nolan as Mama Morton.

CHICAGO will run in Bradford hasta until the 18th February, and then it will visit the following venues: Hull New Theatre (20-25 February 2012), Southen Cliffs Pavilion (27 February – 3 March 2012), Birmingham Alexandra Theatre (5-10 March 2012), Southsea Kings Theatre (12-17 March 2012), Manchester Palace Theatre (19-24 March 2012), Sunderland Empire (26-31 March 2012), Ipswich Regent Theatre (2-7 April 2012), York Opera House (16-21 April 2012), Edinburgh Playhouse (23-28 April 2012), RHYL Pavilion (30 April – 5 May 2012), Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall Theatre (7-12 May 2012), Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (14-19 May 2012), Leicester Demontfort Hall (21-26 May 2012), Eastbourne Congress Theatre (4-9 June 2012) and Grimbsy Auditorium (11-16 June 2012). Further dates to be announced.

Based on real life events back in the roaring 1920s, nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoots her lover and along with Cell Block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, they fight to keep from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn.

Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, CHICAGO’s sexy, sassy score includes All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle. With 6 Tony, 2 Olivier, 1 Grammy, 2 Bafta and 6 Academy Awards, CHICAGO truly is “The sharpest, slickest show on the block” The Times. A nightclub singer, a double-murderess, a smooth-talking lawyer and a cell block of sin: it would be a crime to miss it.

Ali Bastian has been a regular fixture on British TV screens for over nine years, having played the long-running roles of Becca in ‘Hollyoaks’ and Sally Armstrong in ‘The Bill’. More recently, Ali took part in the 2009 series of BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ where she reached the semi-finals. Theatre credits include Helen in the UK Tour of ‘Verdict, Burn the Floor’ at the Shaftesbury Theatre and the UK Tour of ‘Strictly Live 2010’. Stefan Booth was recently seen playing Tanya’s husband Greg Jessop in ‘EastEnders’. He is also well known for playing the regular roles of Sergeant Marc Rollins in ‘The Bill’ and Jamie Nash in ‘Hollyoaks’. Other TV credits include ‘William & Mary’, ‘Doctors’ and ‘The Silence’, as well as reaching the finals of the first series of ITV’s ‘Dancing On Ice’. Tupele Dorgu is best known as Kelly Crabtree in ‘Coronation Street’, a role she played for six years. Other television credits include ‘The Case’, ‘The Accused’, ‘Waterloo Road’, ‘Casualty’ and the regular role of Natalie Vance in ‘Merseybeat’. Theatre credits include MAMMA MIA! in the West End. Bernie Nolan was the lead singer with The Nolans from 1974 until 1994 and with her sisters has enjoyed phenomenal success both in this country and abroad. On stage Bernie has toured the UK many times, most recently as Cora in ‘Calendar Girls’, Hannah Owens in FLASHDANCE, Robin in ‘Mum’s The Word’ and Mrs Johnstone in BLOOD BROTHERS. Television credits include Sergeant Sheelagh Murphy in ‘The Bill’, Diane Murray in ‘Brookside’ and most recently the first series of ITV’s ‘Popstar to Opera Star’ where she was a finalist.

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 Garrick Theatre, has just entered its fifteenth year. CHICAGO currently plays in New York and Spain as well as the West End.
 
The National UK Tour of CHICAGO will be produced by David Ian Productions in association with the Broadway producers Barry and Fran Weissler.