PRESS RELEASE

“CHICAGO” CELEBRATES A DECADE OF DECADENCE IN THE WEST END

WITH A SPECIAL CHARITY GALA PERFORMANCE

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY GRAN CENTENARIO TEQUILA

ON WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER AT THE CAMBRIDGE THEATRE

“CHICAGO” will celebrate a decade of decadence in the West End with a special charity gala performance at the Cambridge Theatre on Wednesday 5 December. Proceeds of the evening will be in aid of Breast Cancer Haven and the Breast Health Institute. The evening is proudly supported by Gran Centenario Tequila. Honorary patrons for the evening will be Elizabeth Hurley, Mr and Mrs Julian Kitchener-Fellowes and Andrew Lloyd Webber, with the support of “CHICAGO” producers Fran and Barry Weissler.

The event, which will be at 6.30pm followed by a black tie reception, will include original London cast members Ute Lemper, Ruthie Henshall and Henry Goodman, along with Linzi Hateley,Brenda Edwards, Jennifer Ellison, Duncan James, Kelly Osbourne, Gaby Roslin, Frances Ruffelle, Claire Sweeney, Denise Van Outen and many more *. For details of sponsorship packages and ticket prices, contact Linda Marley at lm@breastcancerhaven.com or call 020 7384 0049. For individual tickets, visit www.chicagothemusical.co.uk or contact SEE tickets on + 44 (0) 20 7087 7461. Full details of sponsorship packages and ticket prices are attached.

To further benefit the charities, and in celebration of the 10th Anniversary partnership, purchase any ticket to any performance of “CHICAGO” between 12 September and 31 December 2007 with the option to add £1 to the ticket price that will go to aid Breast Cancer Haven and Breast Health Institute.

The London production of “CHICAGO” has played to an audience of over 4.5 million people at more than 4,000 performances.  The smash hit West End musical “CHICAGO” transferred from the Adelphi Theatre to the Cambridge Theatre in April last year.  The Cambridge Theatre was the London home of “CHICAGO”, when the first production of the show opened there on 10 April 1979, running for 603 performances.  “CHICAGO” became the longest running production ever to play at the Adelphi Theatre on 17 October 2005, replacing the previous record holder “Me and My Girl”, which had run for 3,303 performances. 

“CHICAGO” opened at the Adelphi Theatre on 18 November 1997 to rave reviews and immediately became a sell-out hit.  "CHICAGO" won the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for 'Outstanding Musical Production' as well as the 1998 Critics Circle Drama Award for 'Best Musical'.  Currently playing in New York, and on tour in America and the UK, with forthcoming productions planned in Korea, Japan and Denmark, "CHICAGO" is produced in London by the Broadway producers Barry and Fran Weissler.

"CHICAGO", which 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 Ian Townsend.  "CHICAGO" is choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse and directed by Walter Bobbie.  The West End production of "CHICAGO" is staged by the entire original Broadway creative team.

“CHICAGO” is now booking until 27 July 2008. Visit the “CHICAGO” website at  www.chicagothemusical.co.uk.

* casting subject to change

BREAST CANCER HAVEN

Being diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing treatment affects a patient both physically and emotionally. Breast Cancer Haven offers a free programme of care to help patients and those supporting them during this difficult time. Havens are welcoming day centres staffed by a specialist team who provide support, information and complementary therapies before, during and after medical treatment.

With over 44,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the UK every year, more Havens are needed.  Working alongside the NHS and other healthcare professionals Breast Cancer Haven will create a network of Havens providing integrated breast cancer care where conventional and complementary medicine can work together. We currently have Havens in London and Hereford and aim to open our third, in Leeds, in 2008

It costs the charity approximately £1,000 per person cared for at a Haven and in the absence of any government funding, the charity is dependent on charitable donations and fundraising events to continue delivering this vital service and to build new Havens.

BREAST HEALTH INSTITUTE

Founded in 1990, the Breast Health Institute is an international not-for-profit foundation that serves as a catalyst to advance breast cancer research and treatment, working with the greatest minds throughout the world to find the cure and to eradicate breast cancer. Its mission is to give all people affected by breast cancer the tools necessary to have the best quality of life, regardless of background or financial circumstances.

In addition to sponsoring a series of International Consensus Conferences that have changed the course of treatment for women with breast cancer throughout the world, BHI is dedicated to developing the talents of a new generation of physicians through Breast Cancer Fellowships, advancing the scope of scientific research through seed grants to pioneering doctors, and making the lives of those with breast cancer a little easier with its Fund For Living. This fund was developed to provide assistance to cover unique problems that may not be addressed or covered by the usual health insurance programmes and is now available in the UK, Italy and the USA.

Its aim is to reduce the suffering caused by breast cancer worldwide and ensure that no one touched by breast cancer walks alone.

GRAN CENTENARIO TEQUILA

Handcrafted in Jalisco, Mexico, Gran Centenario's select portfolio of 100% Blue Agave Tequilas are made using the original Selección Suave (smooth selection) process devised by its creator, Lazaro Gallardo, in 1857.

This unique process blends newly rested Tequilas with the smoothest, aged Tequila reserves creating the highest quality and best tasting Tequila available.  The result is a collection of three award-winning, ultra-premium Tequilas - Plata (silver), Reposado (rested) and Añejo (aged) - each one heralded for its fine quality and unique flavor.

SPONSOR PACKAGES

Title Sponsor ₤80,000:  40 Premium VIP seats and VIP after party tickets, 100 tickets to the exclusive Dress Rehearsal, verbal thank you at the theatre the night of the event, listing on invitation, programme, event and press materials, red carpet signage, customised website pages, photo opportunity with programme participants, VIP gift bag, VIP cocktail pre-reception

Headliner₤50,000: 20 Premium VIP seats and VIP after party tickets, 50 tickets to the exclusive Dress Rehearsal, listing on invitation, programme, event and press materials, red carpet signage, customised website pages, photo opportunity with programme participants, VIP gift bag, VIP cocktail pre-reception

Spotlight₤20,000: 10 Premium VIP seats and VIP after party tickets, 30 tickets to the exclusive Dress Rehearsal, listing on invitation, programme, event and press materials, customised website pages, photo opportunity with programme participants, VIP gift bag, VIP cocktail pre-reception

Encore₤10,000: 8 Premier VIP seats and after party tickets, listing on invitation, programme, event materials and our websites

Finale₤5,000: 6 Preferred seats and after party tickets, Benefit Committee Listing

VIP TICKETS

Premium ₤500  1 Premium Reserved Seat, 1 after party ticket, VIP cocktail pre-reception

Premier  ₤350  1 Premier Reserved Seat, VIP cocktail pre-reception

Preferred₤250  1 Preferred Seat

Reserved₤100  1 Reserved Seat

General   £75  1 General Seat