Chicago Milestone

Yesterday, John Kander and Fred Ebb’s Chicago surpassed the performance count of the original production of Les Misérables to become the third longest-running show in Broadway history. “Throughout the past 17 years, this production has exceeded my wildest expectations time and time again,” said producer Barry Weissler in a statement. “Six Tony Awards, a Grammy Award-winning cast album, a six-time Academy Award-winning film adaptation, celebrated productions in 24 countries and 12 different languages across the globe. … On behalf of the entire Chicago company, I want to thank the legions of fans and beloved audience members worldwide who have helped our show achieve this incredible milestone in Broadway history.” On Dec. 20, 2012, the Tony-winning revival played its 6,681st performance. Still ahead of the Kander and Ebb show are a pair of Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals: The Phantom of the Opera at 10,356 performances and Cats at 7,485 performances. Currently onstage at the Ambassador Theatre are Amy Spanger as Roxie, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma, and Billy Ray Cyrus as Billy Flynn.