Taking a break clearly isn’t Tom Wopat’s style. After his Tony-nominated role in A CATERED AFFAIR on Broadway this summer, he stepped right into the role of Billy Flynn in CHICAGO with only a one day break. November is already packed for the veteran performer as he gets set to headline the National Tour of CHICAGO and release his third album. The National Tour kicks off in Charlotte, NC, on November 11, followed by stops in Appleton, WI, Boston and Calgary. He’s looking forward to getting back to the touring life.

“I enjoy doing the road thing,” said Wopat. “We’ve got real nice cities on this upcoming tour and I love to see the country. Once we get the show up, I take the bike out and really see the cities.” There are only a few challenges for the star as he leaves home for seven cities on the tour. “The computer and cell phone always help me stay in touch,” said Wopat. “The hardest part is the hotels and the food. You’ve got to get rest and get fed right.”

The Wisconsin native is probably best know for his role of freewheeling Luke Duke on TV’s The Dukes of Hazzard, but his roots are deeply planted in the stage. Wopat began singing and dancing in school musicals when he was 12-years-old. Upon graduating high school, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in Madison to study music, at one point leaving to be the lead singer and trombone player in a rock band. But he later returned and began his acting career in campus productions of the musicals WEST SIDE STORY, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and SOUTH PACIFIC. After performing in summer stock productions at the Barn Theatre in Michigan for two seasons, he decided to go to New York for "a serious try at musical comedy."

“The theatre is really where I started,” said Wopat. “CHICAGO is so dramatic, it makes the best use of the skills I have.” Leaving Broadway and visiting theatres across the country has its advantages for Wopat. “The house is different, more enthusiastic on the road,” said Wopat. “On the road, there’s more energy. CHICAGO is so compartmentalized, you can put it in a black box and it’s going to do well.” Fans of the star will hopefully see him back in New York for some exciting upcoming projects. “I have a couple of things in workshops, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will go into production soon,” said Wopat. Multi-tasking with the upcoming release of his third album, he hopes to schedule gigs in the cities he’s visiting for CHICAGO. Check out www.wopat.com and to see if he will be performing in a cabaret or on a stage near you.

Additional information on the CHICAGO National Tour can be found online at www.chicagothemusical.com.

By: Allison Thomas