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Bebe Neuwith, Joel Grey, and John Kander Launch Chicago's 20th-Anniversary Year

The original cast of the long-running Broadway revival came out to toast the show’s latest milestone.

Chicago composer John Kander (second from right) reunites with his cast members James Naughton, Bebe Neuwirth, and Joel Grey.
Chicago composer John Kander (second from right) reunites with his cast members James Naughton, Bebe Neuwirth, and Joel Grey.
(© David Gordon)

Broadway's Chicago launched its 20th-anniversary year with a celebratory cocktail reception at the Palm Restaurant on March 22. The event also served as a birthday party for Chicago composer John Kander, who turned 89 on March 18.

James Naughton, Barry Weissler, Bebe Neuwirth, Joel Grey, and Walter Bobbie launch Chicago's 20th anniversary year.
James Naughton, Barry Weissler, Bebe Neuwirth, Joel Grey, and Walter Bobbie launch Chicago's 20th-anniversary year.
(© David Gordon)

On hand for the event were the production's original stars, Bebe Neuwith, Joel Grey, and James Naughton, as well as current cast members Amra-Faye Wright, Paige Davis, and Jason Danieley; director Walter Bobbie; producer Barry Weissler; iconic composer John Kander; and Japanese actress Yoka Wao, who will star in this summer's all-female Japanese production of Takarazuka's Chicago, part of the Lincoln Center Festival from July 20-24.

John Kander joins Walter Bobbie for a photo.
John Kander joins Walter Bobbie for a photo.
(© David Gordon)

The 20th-anniversary festivities will include a special advertising campaign featuring current and past cast members, including Neuwirth, Grey, Naughton, and Ann Reinking. Photographer Max Vadukul, who shot the show's iconic original ad campaign, returns for this new initiative, which features the tagline "Killing It Worldwide" in a nod to the show's international success.

Amra-Faye Wright, Jason Danieley, and Paige Davis currently star in Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre.
Amra-Faye Wright, Jason Danieley, and Paige Davis currently star in Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre.
(© David Gordon)

The festivities will also include a one-night-only free concert of Kander and Ebb's score, plus Reinking's choreography, on August 31 at SummerStage in Central Park; an exhibition at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center; and the above-mentioned presentation of Takarazuka's Chicago.

Actress Yoka Wao will star in the all-female Japanes production of Takarazuka's Chicago at the Lincoln Center Festival this summer.
Actress Yoka Wao will star in the all-female Japanese production of Takarazuka's Chicago at the Lincoln Center Festival this summer.
(© David Gordon)

Featuring classic tunes by John Kander and Fred Ebb, Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, a 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 crime into a barrage of sensational headlines. The revival is directed by Walter Bobbie.

John Kander blows out the candles on his birthday cake.
John Kander blows out the candles on his birthday cake.
(© David Gordon)

For tickets to Chicago on Broadway, click here.

For tickets to Takarazuka's Chicago, click here.

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