Verity Rushworth and Gemma Sutton lead cast of Curve's Chicago

The cast has been announced for Paul Kerryson's upcoming production of Chicago at the Leicester Curve, which opens on 4 December 2013 (previews from 29 November).

Verity Rushworth and Gemma Sutton will play jailbirds Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart in the show, which is the centrepiece of the theatre's fifth birthday celebrations. They are joined by David Leonard as lawyer Billy Flynn and Sandra Marvin as keeper of the keys Mama Morton.

Set in 1920's Chicago, the show tells the story of scintillating sinners, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, their crimes of passion and their outrageous pursuit of fame and celebrity. But murder, adultery and corruption are no match for their manipulative, smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn.

Verity Rushworth (Velma Kelly) is best known for playing Donna in Emmerdale. Her theatre credits include Carnaby Street (UK tour), The Sound of Music (UK tour) and Hairspray (West End). Gemma Sutton (Roxie Hart). Her theatre credits include Hairspray, Oklahoma! (UK tours), Legally Blonde, Imagine This, Gone With the Wind (West End), and The Kissing Dance (Jermyn Street Theatre).

David Leonard (Billy Flynn) has stage credits including Matilda The Musical (Cambridge Theatre), The Pitman Painters (UK tour) and Writer’s Block (Nuffield Southampton). TV work includes The Castle and Alice in Wonderland. Sandra Marvin (Mama Morton)'s theatre credits include Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre and UK tour), A Fairytale of New York, Ragtime and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).

Kander and Ebb's 1975 musical 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 by Fred Ebb.

The rest of the cast comprises Adam Bailey, Matthew Barrow, Jocasta Almgill, Ashley Andrews, Michelle Andrews, Harry Francis, Jonny Godbold, Simon Hardwick, Fela Lufadeju, Katy Hards, Anabel Kutay, Jessica Kirton, Lucinda Lawrence, Jon Reynolds, Zizi Strallen and Callum Train.

Chicago runs at the Leicester Curve from 29 November 2013 to 18 January 2014.