Marti Pellow in Chicago
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Pellow Reprises Chicago Billy for Birmingham Xmas

Former "Wet Wet Wet" lead singer Marti Pellow (pictured) will once again reprise his role as super-slick lawyer Billy Flynn in the touring production of Chicago, which will have a three-week Christmas season, from 16 December 2003 to 3 January 2004, at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre.

In June 2002, Pellow made his theatrical stage debut in the West End production of the Kander and Ebb musical, extending his contract by eight weeks due to popular demand, and had limited engagements for tour stops in Liverpool and Manchester this past spring (See News, 2 Dec 2002).

At Birmingham, Pellow will be joined in the cast by original tour cast members Jane Fowler (as Roxie Hart), Amra Faye Wright (Velma Kelly) and Martin Callaghan (Amos Hart) as well as Debra Michaels (Mama Morton) and Dee McKechnie (Mary Sunshine).

During the 1980s and 1990s, Marti Pellow had 12 British Top Ten songs with Wet Wet Wet, including the singles "With a Little Help from My Friends", "Goodnight Girl" and the mega-hit "Love Is All Around" from the film Four Weddings and a Funeral. Since leaving the band in 1999, Pellow's solo career has seen the release of the album Smile and a sell-out UK tour that included two nights at the Royal Albert Hall.

Chicago, 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, costumes by William Ivey Long, lighting by Ken Billington and sound by Rick Clarke. Musical supervision is by Rob Fisher and musical direction by Gareth Valentine. The production is choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse and directed by Walter Bobbie.

The musical opened at the West End's Adelphi Theatre in November 1997 and went on to win the 1998 Olivier for Outstanding Musical Production and the 1998 Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. It also continues on Broadway.

- by Terri Paddock

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