[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1228-E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TRIBUTE TO CHICAGO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 1997

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, June 18, 1997, the 
Congressional Black Caucus [CBC] will gather in the Rayburn House 
Office Building to celebrate the unprecedented success of the smash hit 
premiere national touring musical ``Chicago's'' in our Nation's 
Capital. The CBC will honor ``Chicago'' ' brilliantly innovative and 
charismatic cast, and will pay special tribute to the stars: Jasmine 
Guy, Obba Babatunde, and Carol Woods.
  A congressional reception was held April 8, 1997, hosted by the 
Illinois delegation and featuring the ``Singing Senators,'' Senators 
Trent Lott, John Ashcroft, Larry Craig, and Jim Jeffords to welcome the 
cast to Washington, DC. Also in attendance were the Honorables Bill 
Barrett, Howard Coble, John Conyers, Asa Hutchinson, Henry Hyde, 
William Jenkins, Dennis Kucinich, Nita Lowey, Michael McNulty, 
Constance Morella, Silvestre Reyes, Tim Roemer, Carlos Romero-Barcelo, 
John Shimkus, Louise Slaughter, and Secretary William Daley. 
``Chicago'' cast members, Obba Babatunde and ``The Girls,'' performed 
for the distinguished audience.
  ``Chicago'' has broken box office records at the National Theatre and 
in New York City with its Broadway cast. ``Chicago'' is also the 
season's biggest musical hit.
  The Broadway cast received six Tony Awards including Best Musical 
Revival, Best Director--Walter Bobbie, Best Choreography--Ann Reinking, 
and Best Lighting Design--Ken Billington. This wave of recognition 
continues with nominations from the prestigious New York Drama Desk for 
Outstanding Musical Revival, Outstanding Direction, Outstanding 
Choreography, Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Outstanding Actor in a 
Musical, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical, Outstanding 
Supporting Actress in a Musical, and Outstanding Lighting Design. The 
New York Drama Critics Circle, the Nation's second oldest theatre 
award, after the Pulitzer Prize, voted a special award to the cast and 
creative team of ``Chicago'' for outstanding contribution to Broadway. 
``Chicago'' continues to win raves and awards with five Outer Critics 
Circle Awards, including Best Musical Revival, Best Director, and Best 
Choreography.
  The Musical is based on the 1926 play of the same name by Maurine 
Dallas Watkins. The play inspired the 1942 movie, ``Roxie Hart,'' 
starring Ginger Rogers. The John Kander-Fred Ebb-Bob Fosse musical 
premiered in 1975 and the new revival, under the direction of Walter 
Bobbie and choreography--in the style of Bob Fosse--by Ann Reinking, 
opened on Broadway on November 14, 1996. ``Chicago'' has been hailed as 
``A triumph'' by Time magazine. The New York Times raves ``Chicago'' is 
a musical for the ages with the sexiest, most sophisticated dancing 
seen on Broadway for years. It flies us right into musical heaven.
  The Congressional Black Caucus will honor these talented and 
ambitious African-Americans for their inspiring success as artists and 
human beings. For it is individuals such as

[[Page E1229]]

these who raise our aspirations, motivate our youth, and provide us 
with powerful national role models of integrity and spirit. We thank 
you for your commitment and honor your achievements.

                          ____________________