Christie Brinkley delays West End debut in Chicago

(UPDATE 13 JULY 2011: Christie Brinkley joined the show 2 days late on 13th July 2011.)

Supermodel Christie Brinkley, who made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago, has delayed her West End debut reprising the role.

She was due to start a four-week engagement beginning Monday 11 July, but on Wednesday, on the eve of her scheduled departure from the U.S., her mother, Marge Brinkley, was admitted into hospital to undergo an emergency medical procedure.

In a statement, Christie Brinkley said, “I am very sorry for the inconvenience and changes to the schedule in London. I thank my producers and new cast mates for being so flexible and understanding and I look forward to giving it my all in dedication to my loving, generous and supportive parents.”

Amra-Faye Wright, who starred opposite Christie Brinkley on Broadway in the role of Velma Kelly, will return to the West End production on 11 July as scheduled. The production’s current Roxie Hart, Sarah Soetaert, will continue in the role until Christie Brinkley joins the company, on a date yet to be decided.

Christie Brinkley is one of America’s most recognisable models, appearing on over 500 magazine covers worldwide. She made her acting debut in 1983 opposite Chevy Chase in the film National Lampoon’s Vacation and also appeared in the sequel, National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation. On television, her appearances have included the 1990s series Mad About You starring Helen Hunt and, more recently, Ugly Betty. As an environmentalist and political activist, Christie has addressed the United Nations and has been a Democratic delegate.

Chicago, opened at the Adelphi Theatre 18 Nov 1997, following previews from 27 Oct 1997, ending at the Adelphi theatre on 22 April 2006. It re-opened at the Cambridge Theatre on 28 April 2006, where it will now run to 27 Aug 2011.

Chicago, is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Scenic design is by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting by Ken Billington and sound by Rick Clarke. Musical supervision is by Rob Fisher and musical direction by Gareth Valentine. It is choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse and directed by Walter Bobbie.

The musical concerns Roxie, a chorus girl who has murdered her lover but manages to get acquitted with the help of sleazy lawyer.