Chicago cast announced for new Australian musical production

Chicago is coming to Sydney and the record-breaking Broadway musical set in the Jazz age will feature Natalie Bassingthwaighte, musical theatre star Alinta Chidzey and Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan in lead roles.

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Chicago is coming to Sydney and the record-breaking Broadway musical set in the Jazz age will feature Natalie Bassingthwaighte, musical theatre star Alinta Chidzey and Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan in lead roles.

Bassingthwaighte, the former Rogue Traders rocker and Neighbours star, steps into the shoes of Roxy Hart, the role also made famous by Renée Zellweger in the 2002 Oscar winning movie.

Bassingthwaighte said landing the role or Roxy, a housewife facing the gallows for murder, was a dream come true 20 years after being a dancer in the hit musical at the age of 23.

“I was actually an understudy for Roxy, but I broke my rib and never got to play her, now 20 years later I get the opportunity to do it,” Bassingthwaighte said.

Alinta Chidzey, Casey Donovan and Natalie Bassingthwaighte will star in the new Aussie production of Chicago. Picture: Peter Brew Bevan

While rehearsals start in July for the August 20 Sydney opening, the mum of two is already in training for the physical demands of the show.

“I’m doing yoga, pilates, tennis and dance and see a personal trainer four times a week. I need to build my strength up to do eight shows a week,” she said.

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Joining her Roxy is Alinta Chidzey in the role of fellow murderess Velma Kelly. Ms Chidzey is a jazz artist herself as well as her acting credits in Wentworth, Neighbours and Winners and Losers.

The play Chicago by Maurine Dallas Watkins was based on the true story of Beulah Annan who murdered her husband.

“These ladies, Roxy and Velma were publicised for murdering people but gained celebrity status for it, it’s fascinating. I remember seeing the play as a teenager and thinking that is the kind of musical I want to be in. It was one of the first I ever saw and I was blown away and it’s one of those musical that has all the elements,” Ms Chidzey, 36 said.

Casey Donovan joins the cast as sassy prison warden Matron “Mama” Morton. The 2004 Australian idol winner is forging a successful stage career.

“I think it is going to be a great role, I love how sassy and feisty she is,” Ms Donovan said.

Produced in Australia by John Frost and Suzanne Jones, this Australian production will premiere from August 20 at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.