Chicago's Givens Swaps Places with Tour Lead DeJean for Three Weeks

Givens began performances in Broadway’s Chicago on January 16. She will leave the New York company after the February 12 performance and return on March 6. She is expected to stay in Chicago on Broadway through March 26.

After stints on sitcoms like The Cosby Show and Diff’rent Strokes, Givens received her first shot of fame in 1986 as one of the stars of the TV series Head of the Class. Although she may still be best known for her subsequent year-long marriage to boxer Mike Tyson, Givens has appeared in many films, including the well-received TV-movie The Women of Brewster Place and big screen offerings including A Rage in Harlem, Boomerang and Blankman. Other television credits include Angel Street, Courthouse, Sparks and Forgive or Forget.

DeJean has previously played Mona and Roxie in the Broadway company of Chicago. Her other theatrical credits include mountings of West Side Story, Mame, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, La Cage aux Folles, Evita and The Sound of Music.

In addition to Givens, the Broadway’s Chicago currently includes Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly, John O’Hurley as Billy Flynn and Lillias White as Matron Mama Morton.

The national touring company of Chicago features DeJean, Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly, Gregory Harrison as Billy Flynn and Carol Woods as Matron Mama Morton.