Nettles steps into the role of Roxie Hart for a limited eight-week engagement, continuing through March 29 at the Ambassador Theatre.
"Broadway has always been a special, magical place, with a wonderful tradition of singers and actors," said Nettles in an earlier statement. "I feel honored and proud to be part of this great tradition. Taking on such an iconic role as Roxie in Chicago is a dream come true."
"We're absolutely thrilled to welcome Jennifer into our Chicago family this winter," added producer Barry Weissler. "Her sensational talent and musicianship will no doubt make this an extraordinary Broadway debut engagement. I can't wait for our audiences to experience her interpretation Roxie Hart."
Jennifer Nettles has become one of the most popular singer-songwriters in music today and recently had a #1 country album with her solo debut CD "That Girl." As the lead vocalist of the country group Sugarland, the band exploded onto the music scene in 2004 and have worldwide sales of over 22 million (albums and singles) to date, have achieved eight No. 1 singles and have won numerous awards including trophies from the Grammys, AMAs, ACM Awards, CMT Music Awards and CMA Awards. Nettles has won five ASCAP awards for her songwriting abilities, and in 2008 individually received a Grammy Award, ACM Award and CMA Award for penning the platinum-selling No. 1 hit "Stay." The Broadway company also welcomes Carly Hughes, most recently seen as the Leading Player in the acclaimed Broadway revival of Pippin, tonight as Velma Kelly. Hughes is also playing an eight-week engagement.
Hughes' other Broadway credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Book of Mormon, Ghost, Ragtime, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
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.
Visit ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.
