Christie Brinkley as Roxie Hart
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Christie Brinkley Delays West End Debut in Chicago

American supermodel Christie Brinkley’s West End debut in Chicago, in which she was due to take over for four weeks as murderess Roxie Hart on Monday (11 July 2011), has been delayed due to a family emergency.

Until Brinkley is available, the part will continue to be played by current Roxie Sarah Soetaert. Amra-Faye Wright, who played Velma Kelly opposite Brinkley when she made her Broadway debut in the Kander and Ebb musical earlier this year, will join the West End cast as scheduled on 11 July.

Chicago must finish, after five years at the Cambridge, on 27 August 2011 to make way for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s upcoming transfer of Matilda the Musical. Producers have previously said they are looking for a third London home for the show, which first opened at the Adelphi in 1997, but no new venue or dates have yet been announced.

In a statement released today, producers explained that this past Wednesday, on the eve of her scheduled flight from the States, Christie Brinkley’s mother was admitted into hospital for an emergency medical procedure.

Chicago producer Barry Weissler said: "In the theatre industry, we are sometimes forced to deal with circumstances beyond our control. However, it must be said that Christie’s success on Broadway this spring was not just hers, but her parents’ as well. In fact, at first she debated whether or not to accept the part because of her parents’ health. But when she told them about the offer to star on Broadway, Christie’s father, who is unfortunately unable to speak, simply wrote the words ‘take it’ on a slip of paper.

“With that slip of paper, she knew her decision was made. And Christie kept that paper taped to the mirror in her backstage dressing room throughout her entire Broadway run. She did it for them. And speaking for the entire Chicago company, we all wish her mother a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing Christie reprise her remarkable performance in our West End production as soon as possible."

Brinkley herself said she was sorry to disappoint her London fans, adding: “I am very sorry for the inconvenience and changes to the schedule in London. I thank my producers and new cast mates for being so flexible and understanding and I look forward to giving it my all in dedication to my loving, generous and supportive parents who set me on this ‘Broadway Adventure’, which now leads me to London’s prestigious West End, when my Dad said, ‘Take It!’.”

- by Terri Paddock

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