Originally announced to play Chicago's Billy Flynn through October 1st, Grammy Award-winning R&B star Usher will now star in the hit revival through October 14th.
The
Broadway production of Chicago--the tale of two murderous chorines who
turn their notoriety into show biz success--also features Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Branda Braxton as Velma, Roz Ryan as Matron "Mama" Morton, Rob Bartlett as Amos Hart, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine. Usher's Chicagoturn as suave attorney Billy has led to a box office boost for the show. His album "Confessions" has sold over 15 million copies. Film and TV credits include In the Mix, Texas Rangers, Light It Up and She's All That, and "Soul Food," "7th Heaven," "American Dreams," and "Moesha."Chicago,
which opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14th 1996, has
reached a run of over 4,000
performances at the Ambassador Theatre (215 W. 49th St.); the show will celebrate its
10 year anniversary in November. Chicagoreceived
6 1997 Tonys (including Best Revival of a Musical) under the direction
of Walter Bobbie and the choreography of star Ann Reinking. The
revival, based
on Bobbie's stylistically stripped-down Encores! staging, featured
direction and choreography by Bob Fosse in its original 1975
production. Chicago features a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse.