why isn't Usher in Hairspray or Wicked? Yuck Chicago!

They must be paying him a fortune. He definetly isn't the kind of star that should be in played-out Chicago. He should even be able to score his on Pajama Game. (Which BTW, he would be hot in.)

Have you been to Time Square in the last 10 years? "all that is good"? hardly.

I was wondering why he didnt pick a big show like Wicked as well, but then I figured that since Wicked already sells out months in advance they would have no incentive to pay him more, they dont need the celebrity boost. Im sure he will be getting big bucks to be in Chicago, since they depend on him selling tickets.

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Updated On: 7/17/06 at 02:45 PM

I think he's going to do well. I love how you are throwing him daggers before his first performance. He'll do wonders for the community because more young people, not into theatre, will see the show and want to see others. It's a great show for teens I think.

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Chicago is an intense show and a great fit for Usher. The man is a serious dancer with moves and pipes. Why would he "twist" around in Hairspray or waste his time in Wicked when he can be in the sexiest, classiest show with a troupe of incredible performers like himself. Any other show would be a waste of his immense talent.

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Just because Chicago is 10 years and running, it's played out?

Sorry to tell you, but many think CHICAGO is a lot more fresh at this point, then it was a times in the past, and a lot more fresh than other long running shows.

Have you even seen CHICAGO recently? Probally not.

I hate ignorance.

I don't think Usher is a great singer, he is always lip-syncing. So this should be interesting. And he wont be doing much dancing as Billy Flynn.

Updated On: 7/17/06 at 02:50 PM

I couldn't possibly pay to see that robo-show again. Well maybe if Usher is in it. Hopefully we'll see some abbage.

mejusthavingfun, your posts keep getting funnier and funnier. No wonder you rather see Usher in Hairspray or Wicked. Because you rather see the big flashy sets, not Chicago's beautiful minimalist set, which sparkles like a black diamond.

It just proves you are one of those people, who rather see a big flashy show, with big sets, flashy costumes, and a pop score. Opposed to an amazing classic show, that is plain, but actually makes a point.

Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon created this show, maybe do some research about them. They have accomplished more than any creator of Wicked and Haisrpray.

I'm just so tired of people disrespecting this masterpiece created by Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, John Kander and Fred Ebb. And the brilliant revival in which Ann Reinking re-created Fosse's stunning choreography, and Walter Bobbie gave the show a new but meaningful vision. Reinking and Bobbie both won Tonys for the revival, and the show won 4 other Tonys including Best Revival, Best Actress, and Best Actor. It is the longest running revival of all time, AND the most succesful revival of all time. That says a lot.

Updated On: 7/17/06 at 02:58 PM

Usher's not in Wicked or Hairspray because they never asked him. Barry Weissler (co-producer of Chicago) did and he gladly accepted the offer.

He and Weissler had been in discussions about a possible new musical tailored around Usher's talents for several years now. The show hasn't happened so far (though it may sometime in the future), but because of Usher's tremendous interest and enthusiasm for working on Broadway, Weissler happily offered him Chicago in the mean time and apparently for Usher it's a dream come true.

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Why isn't he is Hairspray or Wicked? Because this isn't baseball. He's not a free agent that can pick whatever show he goes into. He most likely only got offered the part of Billy Flynn, and he accepted.

I think he'll do fine. As people have said before, he's Ben Vereen's godson, and seems to be very enthusiastic about working on Broadway.

'ljay889' Believe it or not I have a lot of respect for "Chicago" I actually worked as a consultant on the film version. That said, I still think the current production is bland and phoned-in.

Yes I LOVE spectacle. Who pays $100 to see Tom Hank's Wife do karoake? At some point this production of Chicago has "jumped the shark" or hit rock bottom. Usher will bring something new to this show, but I think it should be closed and something new should replace it. Is that so wrong?

Updated On: 7/17/06 at 03:16 PM

"I think it should be closed and something new should replace it. Is that so wrong?"

In a word, yes. Why would you want a still-successful show to close? There's other empty theatres around. Chicago hanging in isn't keeping anyone away from Broadway, and they can stuntcast all the livelong day as far as I'm concerned. Even a bad version of Chicago is better than the best version of Wicked (my opinion only - I'm also equally glad to see the 'tweeners screaming at the Gershwin's stage door).

Hated,btw, with the heat of a thousand suns, the movie version of Chicago.

LJ, we understand that you love Chicago (I do too), but just because some people's opinions don't match yours doesn't mean you can flip out at them and judge their taste, and I can point out many, many posts where you do.