Theatre News

Ruthie Henshall, Sarah Soetaert and Josefina Gabrielle to star in Chicago

Further cast joining Cuba Gooding Jr in the upcoming revival of ”Chicago” has been announced

Ruthie Henshall and Josefina Gabrielle
Ruthie Henshall and Josefina Gabrielle
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Further casting for the upcoming revival of Chicago has been announced.

Sarah Soetaert and Josefina Gabrielle will star as Roxie and Velma, while Ruthie Henshall is to star as Mama Morton. They join the already announced Cuba Gooding Jr in the show, which is due to open in the West End in March.

Soetaert has previously played the role of Roxie at the Cambridge and Garrick Theatres, while Gabrielle played the role at the Adelphi and Cambridge Theatres. Gabrielle makes her debut as Velma Kelly in this new production.

After taking on Mama Morton, Henshall will be the only British actress to have played all three leading female roles in Chicago.

The three join Gooding Jr, who is making his British stage debut and his musical debut as Billy Flynn. Further casting is yet to be announced.

The musical originally ran in London for 15 years, and won an Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production. The piece is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins and has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics from Fred Ebb. It is set in prohibition-era Chicago and follows two women who murder their lovers and become celebrities off the back of the court cases.

Featuring songs including "Razzle Dazzle", "We Both Reached For The Gun" and "Cell Block Tango", the West End run will be based on the UK and internationally touring production.

Chicago runs at the Phoenix Theatre from 26 March.