Obba Babatunde to Step into Chicago; Smokey Robinson Withdraws

Obba Babatunde, not Smokey Robinson as previously announced, will be Chicago's next Billy Flynn. Robinson withdrew from his planned stint because of "scheduling conflicts," according to a production spokesperson.

Babatunde previously appeared as Billy Flynn in the national tour of Chicago. He received a Tony nomination for his performance as C.C. White in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls. His other Broadway credits include Grind, It's So Nice to Be Civilized, Reggae and Timbuktu!. He can currently be seen on the small screen in the comedy series Half & Half.

Chicago currently stars Robin Givens as Roxie Hart, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly and John O'Hurley as Billy Flynn. On April 17, frequent Roxie, Charlotte d'Amboise who will be seen next fall in the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line, will rejoin to the cast. The following week, Brenda Braxton will return as Velma Kelly.

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