Usher to Join "Chicago" — Page 2

#26

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:57am

Don't talk about Aaliyah, I still can't think of her without at least tearing up. I remember the day she died when I woke up and it was all over Mtv and I thought it was a dream. What a loss of talent.

Anyway, back to the topic...I think Usher will be a more than suitable Billy even though, like everyone else has said, he is a bit young to be truly convincing.

I really wouldn't mind him as Seaweed in Hairspray.

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#27

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:58am

Usher is an extremely talented singing/dancing young man. Let's not be so rough on him. Yes, he's a tad young, but he might just pull this off. And very well, actually.

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"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

#28

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 1:10am

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!!!!

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"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008

#29

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 1:17am

I think it's weird stunt casting just because of his age. I think he can def. pull it off. He's got a great voice and can dance. I think he would have been better in something like Hairspray or as Fieyro. But whatever, we'll see when he starts. I'm sure he will def. boost ticket sales as he will be all over MTV.

#30

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 1:29am

I'm holding out for Macy Gray as Mama

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#31

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 1:41am

Or Flava Flav as Amos Hart.

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I have NEVER met Cheyenne Jackson. I have never hung out with him in his dressing room, he did not tweet me, he never bought me a beverage, and he mostly certainly didn't tickle me. . .that is all.

#32

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 1:44am

I think he'll be very good in the role.

#33

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 1:44am

double post

Updated On: 7/14/06 at 01:44 AM

#34

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 1:52am

**D.B. adds another line to list of reasons why he chooses to be a Chicago-based actor**

#35

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 1:53am

I think it'll be interesting to finally hear him sing live since all I've ever seen him do is lipsync...

#36

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 2:17am

I'm excited!!

Updated On: 7/14/06 at 02:17 AM

#37

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 2:43am

It is exciting, but stunt cast a little more, Chicago. I think he'll do a good job.

Anyone know where the new shirtless Billy Flynn number is being placed?

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#38

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 2:49am

I honestly don't think he is going to be that bad. I think he is really an interesting choice. Maybe not necessarily right for the role, but definetly interesting.

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#39

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 3:18am

The first thing I thought when I read this thread title was, "Wow, that's quite a promotion for someone who used to take tickets!" That just goes to show you how ignorant I am to pop culture!

#40

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 4:18am

PirelisMiracleElixir-haha I though something similar.

This is random, but I remember seeing one of the Backstreet Boys as Billy Flynn.

I can't picture Usher as Flynn. This should be interesting.

#41

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 5:55am

Oh God. Broadway....why?

I live 5 minutes away from Usher, and I have met him a couple of times and every time I wonder to myself, "Why does such a cocky person get to have such a perfect life?"

Seriously. The guy can NOT stop talking about himself.

Plus, I mean seriously people...do you really think he has enough talent to play Billy? There are sooo many talented people out there who deserve to get better roles than they already do but Usher comes in and he gets a starring role right off the bat? And for a debut nonetheless?

#42

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 9:04am

I am very excited about this and think it is great casting. Let's not forget he is also Ben Vereen's godson so he's been watching this from a young age.

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BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"

#43

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 9:09am

Is his mic going to be hooked up to his own backstage studio engineer mixers and tweakers so we can continue to think he can sing.

#44

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 9:18am

Sumofallthings, that is very true I think he could be OK in the role. CHICAGO has certainly done worse *coughMelanie Griffithcough*

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"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES--- "THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS

#45

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 9:23am

Most of you don't seem very informed about Usher as a performer. First of all, he's an excellent singer/dancer that has always been interested in doing Broadway. He's said it many times in interviews. Plus, he has broadway in his blood....his uncle is Ben Vereen. I don't own one of his albums and I know this stuff. Come on people. I do agree that he's a little too young for the role, however.

#46

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 9:34am

Better Usher than Britney Spears, that's for sure. I actually think he'll be fine, probably even good... it sounds as though Chicago's done worse with stunt casting than this.

#47

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 9:34am

All I can say is HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

#48

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 10:09am

Usher's too young (at least opposite the current cast), but I think he'll be fine. What I'm concerned about are idiot teenagers who will come just to see him and probably cheer throughout the performance as if it is an actual concert. When Nicole Kidman was on stage in London, people actually brought popcorn to the theatre. Happy times...

#49

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 10:26am

usher technically is too young, however he falls under the same umbrella of "suspension of disbelief" that taye diggs did (a very young, black lawyer in the 20's that charges, and gets, such a massive fee) I'm sure he'll do fine, but I must ask... why didn't they put him in hairspray instead?

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"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel

#50

re: Rapper to Join 'Chicago' ??

Posted: 7/14/06 at 10:56am

Usher's a big homophobe. Hope he can handle being on Broadway surrounded by all those yucky gays.