Usher to Join "Chicago"

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:32pm

Could it be? A major current recording artist joining "Chicago" as Billy? Could it be someone that will bring in the kiddies? Shorty got down!

Updated On: 7/14/06 at 11:32 PM

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:34pm

who? tuttle you crack me the hell up

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:37pm

Peace up! A Town Down!

[MistressoftheHouse]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:44pm

No way!! Usher?! I didn't know he could act, actually....can he act?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:47pm

http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=285446

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:56pm

God, if this is true...

They'll do anything for a buck, won't they?

And before I'm flogged and told that I shouldn't say things like that because the Weisslers have made good casting choices in the past, ones not *only* for money, yes, I preeminently concede that. They have made some good choices, but that does not excuse the stupid ones.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:58pm

CHICAGO is a bastion for stunt casting...it wouldn't surprise me one bit if this were true.

As far as I'm concerned, CHICAGO can do (and has done) a lot worse than Usher.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:02am

I remember when Usher was popular and would have sold tickets.

[Alex LaVelle]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:06am

I wouldn't discredit Usher too soon. It's stunt casting, yeah, but I live 20 minutes from Chattanooga, where he grew up, and know a number of people who knew him (in fact, my high school Spanish teacher's niece dated him for a while), and everyone who I've ever talked to who knows him has said he has done well when he's been on stage with stuff like this. I'm not typically a fan of Usher, but I am interested to see how this works out.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:10am

Usher is much much more of an r&b singer (and a terrific dancer) in the Michael Jackson mode than a rapper. Aside from being a bit too young to be a fully convincing Flynn (he's only 27), he might be interesting in the role. Not sure why he'd want to do Broadway at this point in his career given his continuing popularity in the music biz (it's certainly not for the money -- he can easily make well into the six figures for a single concert; his last CD sold something like 15 million copies), but given that he's in high demand for albums, tv and film, he must be doing this because of some honest interest/curiosity about trying the stage. I hope it goes well.

Updated On: 7/14/06 at 12:10 AM

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:13am

Something may be said very soon.

[Funny Face]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:15am

Since when is Usher a rapper? I haven't heard him rap a word in my life.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:16am

Glad I could break this for ya...

http://www.broadway.com/

I know people! :)

[Parks]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:17am

Oh my god.
BROADWAY.COM

[soapguy17]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:20am

Mr. Tuttle, did you ever know that your me hero? Everything I wish I could be. . Anywho, I'll give anyone a chance.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:23am

Good for him - I'll be there - and I wish him the best.

Brave move as far as his career goes, and I'm sure he'll be great.

[catstagestud]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:26am

Wow; I think it's an interesting choice. Just makes me wish Flynn were more of a dancing role! Usher's got a great voice and Margo you're correct in that he's very high in demands. Confessions was a huge hit and his tour for that album sold extremely well if my memory serves me correctly...maybe a labor day weekend trip to NYC is in order this year....hhhhhmmmm...

Cheers,

Christopher

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:28am

Thanks Soapguy...Just remember...Playas when you see me,
Act like you know me, I keep a dollar worth of dimes. You know pimpin' ain't easy.

[darkmist115]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:30am

this could be. hmmm. fun?

i'm sure he won't be all THAT bad.

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:31am

I can't even picture him as Billy Flynn. Can you imagine him singing "All I Care About"? That will be hilarious.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:36am

I feel like crying, I practically am!

I don't think Usher is a good singer, hopefully he can prove with this that he can be a live singer!

I personally find him too young for the role. I just find this very odd casting.

but I can say, WAY TO GO WEISSLERS.. for being able to get such a big star. They really have power in this business. This is going to do AMAZING things for the show. Money wise.

Kevin Richardson proved everyone wrong as Billy Flynn, Maybe Usher can too? Taye Diggs was also another younger looking Flynn. But he has a musical theatre background! Updated On: 7/14/06 at 12:36 AM

[Chitty]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:41am

Ohhh..exciting! This is cool. Thanks Mr Tuttle for another BWW scoop!

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:44am

I want to go just to see him try to sustain a High G in his whiney pop voice.

I still can't believe they got such a huge star. Though I think something like Beyonce as Velma would be far more interesting.. (though she is too young.)

I think this will call for a return of the critics, ala Melanie G. Updated On: 7/14/06 at 12:44 AM

[Joshua488]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:47am

He may have a whiny pop voice, but he's definitely a pop tenor. I doubt he'll have much trouble sustaining a G.

I'm not overly enthused about this stunt casting, but I'll give it a try. Those damn Weisslers keep roping me back into their shows!! Updated On: 7/14/06 at 12:47 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:52am

I just never found anything special about Usher's voice. If you ask me, I find Ginuwine FAR more talented. But sadly he is always outshined by Usher.


I do feel like crying for other reasons.. Since they're casting r&b stars. inside of me.. I know the Weissler's could've gotten Aaliyah for Velma. Which would've been incredible. Especially around now this time, she would've been late 20's. She was really wanting to do Broadway, as she almost became the original Aida. She was a killer dancer, singer, and actress. God this makes me sad.

On a happier note, watch the Weisslers take this to the next step. And do something bizzare like Missy Elliot as Mama Morton.
Updated On: 7/14/06 at 12:52 AM