Ashlee Simpson as Roxie Hart
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Pop star Ashlee Simpson will make her British stage debut on 25 September when she steps into the leading role of Roxie Hart in
Chicago at the West End’s Cambridge Theatre. She will play the role for a limited five-week season to 28 October.
The 21-year-old performer followed in her sister Jessica Simpson’s footsteps by becoming a recording artist. Her debut album Autobiography went triple platinum. She had her own MTV series The Ashlee Simpson Show and made frequent guest appearances in the television series Malcolm in the Middle, as well as playing a continuing role in 7th Heaven. Her new album I Am Me has just been released.
Chicago, which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Ebb. This production is choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse and directed by Walter Bobbie. It continues to play on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre with another recording artist, Usher, in the role of Billy Flynn.
The West End's Chicago continues to star Ian Kelsey as Billy Flynn, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, Julian Sims as Amos Hart and Brenda Edwards as Mama Morton. Linzi Hateley, who currently stars as Roxie Hart, will leave at the end of her contract on 23 September.