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

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:39pm

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.)

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:40pm

The real question: Why is he invading Broadway? Why doesn't he stay away from all that is good?

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:42pm

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

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:44pm

Usher is a very talented triple threat. Broadway is lucky to get him. Enough with the classist Broadway BS. Usher is a well-seasoned performer since he was a child. He is not a stunt casting move. C'mon, anytime someone well known is cast people freak out. He's a lot better and more disciplined than many people on Broadway. Plus, it will bring new demographics to the theatre, which I'm sure someone on here would say they don't want "those people" in a theatre. When complaining about stunt casting make sure indeed you are dealing with a stunt and not lambasting a seasoned, well-trained professional who just so happens to be an R & B superstar.

[dirty rotten guy]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:45pm

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.

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

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:46pm

Why should he stay away from Broadway? Maybe it's his passion. He will bring a lot of attention to the theatre and this person CHOSE to be on Broadway, so obviously he wants to do it, and he definitly is not doing it for the money. He sold about 6 million copies of his last record. And he is worth a lot more than that. And saying that Wicked or Hairspray are better than Chicago? I don't agree.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:46pm

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.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:48pm

That's true DRG. It's just a such a strange place to go. Yikes, Melanie Griffith and Tom Hank's wife worked there.. He should be in something better, especially for his debut.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:48pm

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.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:49pm

ga Updated On: 7/17/06 at 02:49 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:50pm

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

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:50pm

Amen LJay!!! :)

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:51pm

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

[dirty rotten guy]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:54pm

Chicago most definitely isnt played out but it certainly is no longer a gigantic smash like Wicked. Artistic merit, now that is another story.

Updated On: 7/17/06 at 02:54 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:58pm

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

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 3:02pm

Well, i love flashy sets, and some musicals with pop scores, but then when a show like Chicago has a minimalist set, but it has a wonderful choreography, great score, great singing, and a good book. Chicago is a fantastic show in my book, but so are some of the flashy set musicals.

Updated On: 7/17/06 at 03:02 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 3:02pm

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.

[zepka102]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 3:06pm

i'm just not happy with the decision because i can't stand the guy... he needs to bring the ego down a little bit. if he does well, that's great... more power to him. it would be great to see more people coming to see broadway shows!

[mijofly19]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 3:06pm

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.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 3:06pm

To answer an earlier post, he's getting $10,000 a week.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 3:16pm

'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

[HughE2030]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 3:49pm

As a celebrity stalker I can tell you Usher is a stuck-up DIVA worse than Norma Desmond. It will be interesting to see how he handles the fans that want his autograph considering he rarely signs for anyone.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 3:59pm

"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.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 3:59pm

As Margo said, it's all about the Wiesslers. They're notorious for bringing in big stars to their long-running shows (i.e. Brooke Shields in Wonderful Town/Grease, Rosie in Grease, everyone in Chicago, etc.).

As far as Usher being in Chicago, I believe he's too young to play Billy Flynn, but hey, he's very talented so I'm happy to have him on Broadway. I'd love to see George C. Wolfe create something for him.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 4:15pm

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.