He said as one of the longest running Broadway shows, surpassed only by The Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Les Miserables, Chicago provided some of the most sensational roles in musical theatre.
In the story, ambitious chorus girl Roxie Hart is sent to prison for murdering her lover and trying to pin it on her hapless husband Amos. She meets Velma Kelly, a headline star and also a murderess and the two characters team up to form an unusual nightclub act which they hope will keep them in the public eye.
Both women will be hanged for their crimes if they lose their cases and are prepared to go to any lengths to escape execution.
Desperate for fame, fortune and freedom, the women enlist the help of sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn.
"Chicago has everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen," Mr Marshall said.
He said for Ms Cross, taking on the role of Mama Morton was a personal challenge as she had played both Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly in other renditions of the production, so playing Mama Morton would mean she had played every lead female character.
Mr Marshall said in the 30 years Ms Cross had been in show busines, she had won a "power-packed" list of credits, from first in the 1979 Pacific Song Contest and a Royal Command Performance in 1980, to Best Theatrical Performer in 1995 and 1996.
"Tina has performed throughout Asia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and New Zealand appearing alongside stars Sammy Davis jnr, Meatloaf, the Village People and Tom Jones, among others."
Mr Marshall said the Rotorua Musical Theatre would be seeking local sponsorship for their production of Chicago. Anyone interested should email chicago@xtra.co.nz
Chicago will run from April 19 for a limited season at Casa Blanca Theatre, Riri St, Rotorua.
