James T. Lane to Play Billy Flynn in Chicago on Broadway
(Image provided by the production)
James T. Lane will join the Broadway company of Chicago as Billy Flynn, beginning Monday, January 16 at the Ambassador Theatre. He begins his run alongside Jinkx Monsoon, who makes her Broadway debut as Matron "Mama" Morton.
Lane has previously performed on Broadway in A Chorus Line, The Scottsboro Boys, King Kong, and Kiss Me, Kate, as well a taking on various roles in Chicago. He has also been featured in West End productions of The Scottsboro Boys and A Chorus Line, and has performed in the national tours of Ain't Too Proud and Jersey Boys.
Chicago features a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Directed Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking, this revival has been playing on Broadway since 1996 and is one of the longest-running Broadway productions in history.
Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids.
The current cast features Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart, Lana Gordon as Velma Kelly, Ryan Silverman as Billy Flynn, Jennifer Fouché as Matron "Mama" Morton, Evan Harrington as Amos Hart, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine. Rounding out the ensemble are David Bushman, Christine Cornish, Jennifer Dunne, Jessica Ernest, Jeff Gorti, Arian Keddell, Mary Claire King, Marty Lawson, Joseph London, Barrett Martin, Sharon Moore, Drew Nellessen, Celina Nightengale, Brian O'Brien, Denny Paschall, Emma Pittman, Jermaine R. Rembert, and Michael Scirrotto.
