Ugly Betty star America Ferrera will swap her trademark glasses and braces for fishnets and red lipstick next month when she makes her West End debut in Kander and Ebb musical Chicago.
Ferrera will star as Roxie Hart, a murderous showgirl who is desperate to be a star. The Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award-winning actress will play the role for a limited eight-week run when the musical reopens at the Garrick theatre on 7 November.
Ferrera played the lovable Betty Suarez in hit show Ugly Betty for four series from 2006 to 2010. Although the actress is most well known for the role, which saw her transform into the famously eccentrically dressed wannabe writer who finds herself out of her depth in a high-profile fashion magazine, the Los Angeles-born star has also appeared in films including The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants movies, The Dry Land and Our Family Wedding.
Since Chicago began its London run in 1997 a whole host of stars have taken to the stage as the vampish Roxie. Ferrera will follow in the fishnet-footsteps of Michelle Williams, Denise Van Outen, Brooke Shields and Ashley Simpson in the role.
Amra-Faye Wright, who is currently starring in the Broadway production of the Fosse classic, will star opposite Ferrera as Velma Kelly.
Chicago was due to close this summer after announcing it was ending its Cambridge theatre run where it had played since 2006. However the show soon confirmed that the popular production would transfer to the Garrick theatre where it will now celebrate its 15th London anniversary on 18 November.
Full casting for the Garrick theatre run is yet to be announced.
CM