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Usher Hoofs It to Broadway
07/14/2006 5:31 PM, E! Online
Forget molding himself after Michael Jackson. Usher's latest
career move is more in line with Richard Gere.
Less litigious that way.
The five-time Grammy
winner will make his Broadway debut as slickster lawyer Billy Flynn in
the long-running musical Chicago for a six-week run beginning
Aug. 22.
"This is a very exciting time in my
career," the Confessions singer said. "I have always admired
Broadway actors for their showmanship, dedication and focus that goes
into performing live on stage every night.
"Being
on Broadway allows you to connect to audiences in a whole new way that's
different from music and movies. When they asked me to play Billy Flynn
in Chicago, I jumped at the chance to be a part of such an
amazing production."
Barry and Fran Weissler, the
show's producers, made the casting announcement Friday.
"We could not be happier to have such a major star of the music
world bring his talent to our show," Barry Weissler said, adding that he
expected the R&B superstar to be a "major force" on the Great White Way.
"Everyone connected with Chicago is looking forward to Usher's
engagement and we welcome him to his new Broadway family."
At the very least, the 27-year-old's turn in the musical
will bring new energy, and perhaps a younger audience, to the show,
which has maintained its popularity over the years thanks in large part
to its celeb-friendly casting.
Usher is just the
latest Hollywood export to star in the six-time Tony-winning show,
currently celebrating its 10th year on Broadway.
Productions in both New York and in London's West End have attracted
star-studded casts, with Melanie Griffith, Brooke Shields, Teri Hatcher,
Debbie Gibson, former Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson, Wayne Brady and
Huey Lewis all taking turns in lead roles. Rita Wilson is currently
starring as the murderous showgirl Roxie Hart.
In
2002, the musical really hit the big time when it was adapted into an
Oscar-winning blockbuster film, starring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Gere, whose role Usher reprises on stage.
Which means that come next year, the platinum-selling
artist could be introduced to another singularly-monikered man: Tony.
Of course, this isn't the first time the acting bug
has hit the "Yeah" singer.
Usher has a
surprisingly long resume when it comes to thespian gigs, with the
song-and-dance man having had prominent roles in a slew of otherwise
forgettable films, including The Faculty, Light It Up, and
In the Mix. He also had a small part in the teen comedy She's
All That, as well as guest starring roles in a handful of television
shows, including Moesha, 7th Heaven and Sabrina, the
Teenage Witch.
Even before his stint on
Broadway was announced, Usher had a busy fall ahead of him.
Earlier this year, music producer and frequent
collaborator Jermaine Dupri said he expected to be back in the studio
recording with Usher by the end of the year.
Usher's Chicago run will go through Oct. 1.
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