Smokey Robinson takes over 'Chicago'

NEW YORK, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Motown's Smokey Robinson is headed to the Big Apple to join the Broadway cast of "Chicago," it was reported Wednesday.

Robinson will take over the role of the razzle dazzle defense attorney Billy Flynn starting April 24, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Actress Robin Givens -- who has been on leave from the New York production to play Roxie Hart at Detroit's Fisher Theatre -- returns to the Broadway show in the leading role March 7, the newspaper said.

"Chicago" will be Robinson's second Broadway appearance, the Free Press noted.

He lit up the Great White Way in a special event, "Smokey Robinson Plus Jean Carne," in 1986.