Tony-Nominated Performer Claudia Shear to Join London's Chicago

Claudia Shear will star as Mama Morton in the West End production of Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre in London beginning on March 31.

Shear is best known for her portrayal of Mae West in her own play Dirty Blonde, which ran on Broadway and subsequently transferred to the West End. The piece earned her Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations for Best Play and Best Actress as well as a Theatre World Award. Her other stage credits include her solo show Blown Sideways Through Life and The Smell of the Kill. Her film and television credits include It Could Happen to You, Living Out Loud, Friends, Earthly Possessions and her adaptation of Blown Sideways Through Life.

London's Chicago currently stars Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Roxie Hart, Rachel McDowall as Velma Kelly, Terence Maynard as Billy Flynn and Paul Rider as Amos Hart. Shear will play Mama Morton until May 25.