why isn't Usher in Hairspray or Wicked? Yuck Chicago!- Page 2

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 4:19pm

Having a young Billy Flynn is a hot idea. It adds a whole new element. Usher's upfront sexual personae will add heat as well. He's a great choice.

Also, why would someone who professes to be a "celebrity stalker" complain about Usher not signing. If you are a self-indentified stalker, you probably annoy celebrities to no end in your endless pursuit of memorabilia. You say you don't like Usher, but you'd shove someone out of the way to get him to sign I bet.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 8:12pm

I think Usher will do great but, he is only in his 20's i always think of Billy Flynn in his 40's or 50's

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 9:25pm

I really can't wait to see the videos of him as Billy Flynn popping up all over Usher fan websites.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 9:50pm

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).
---

You are my hero! I couldn't have said it better. This is what I was trying to say, but couldn't quite get it out like you!

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 9:59pm

It'll be interesting to see if Usher can actually sing live. He certainly dos come across as a pretty cockey bastard, but that seems kind of right for Billy Flynn. He also appears to be extremely suave and smooth. The age thing doesn't seem to work out though.

But really, I don't see why people are getting their panties in a bunch about this. I'm not a fan of Usher by any stretch of the imagination, but I see it working...

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 10:03pm

I'm definitely with Broadwaygirl. I am very interested to see if he can sing live. I also can't wait to hear how his attitude will be with the stage door fans.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 10:09pm

I don't understand why people are saying Chicago needs to close. The Weisslers are far from my favorite producers but they have managed to keep the Broadway show running for a while, the tour running for a while, the London production running for a while (the latter two without stunt-casting for the most part). Also, they have found artists able to give the characters an interesting spin. Chita Rivera, Frances Ruffelle, Ruthie Henshall, Ute Lemper, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, Gregory Mitchell, Taye Diggs, Brooke Shields, Lillias White, Debra Monk, Debbie Gravitte, Charlotte D'Amboisse, Karen Ziemba, Brenda Braxton, Brent Barrett, Ben Vereen, Jennifer Holliday, all have been great choices. Of course the casting of Melanie Griffith in my opinion was an insult to the audience, but what's one casting error versus some brilliant casting choices.
Chicago is probably among the top three best shows running on Broadway at this point, it has the most vibrant ensemble on Broadway in my opinion. I find it funny that the people saying Chicago should close are probably the same people who love Rent, a show that I believe has the most stale cast (along with Beauty and the Beast) of any long-running show.

[EdmundOG]

Posted: 7/18/06 at 3:02pm

Also, why would someone who professes to be a "celebrity stalker" complain about Usher not signing. If you are a self-indentified stalker, you probably annoy celebrities to no end in your endless pursuit of memorabilia.
----------------------------------------------------

Bingo. I was about to say the same thing.

Oh, and I saw Chicago a couple years ago. It was the most mechanical and/or tired show I've ever seen on Broadway. The ensemble was just going through the motions, and the C-List celebrities they had playing Billy and Mama were atrocious. (The guy from Logan's Run, and perrenial backup singer/sampling fanatic Angie Stone, who was particularly bad. Her only form of movement during her songs was awkwardly swaying around and frequently thrusting one or both hands in front of her.)

Point is, the show was dead. There was not a single laugh, surprise, or genuine moment to be found. Maybe it's gotten better since then. I guess it would have to. It couldn't get much worse.

[CJR]

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

Usher didnt call the Weisslers and say "hey, I want to be in your show!".... the Weisslers approached him.... it's not a matter of "why didnt he pick a better show?"

I think he'll be hot in it. Just the kind of kick the Broadway company needs.

Ljay, you know I adore you, but you need to take it down juuuust a notch. Even IM not getting my panties in a twist about this one.