Amra-Faye Wright to Star as Chicago's Velma Kelly on B'way

South African actress Amra-Faye Wright will make her Broadway debut as Velma Kelly in Chicago. She is set to begin performances on January 16--the same day as Robin Givens starts as Roxie Hart and John O'Hurley kicks off his run as Billy Flynn.

Wright starred in the recent South African production of Chicago and is currently part of the revival's London company. Her other theatrical credits include Jack and the Beanstalk in London, a U.K. Footloose tour and mountings of Grease and A Chorus Line in South Africa.

Chicago currently stars Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart, Luba Mason as Velma Kelly, Huey Lewis as Billy Flynn, P.J. Benjamin as Amos Hart, Debra Monk as Matron Mama Morton and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine. Before Wright comes on board, Brenda Braxton will do a stint as Velma Kelly. She begins performances on December 6 and is expected to continue on until Wright joins the cast.