George C. Wolfe will direct Usher's upcoming untitled MTV movie musical. The project will showcase a central performance and original music from the popular R&B star.
According to Variety, "MTV
exec veep David Gale is overseeing the Usher project along with Loretha
Jones and Susan Lewis. Paramount production co-prexy Alli Shearmur is
shepherding along with Naketha Mattocks and Matt Jackson."With Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk,
Wolfe proved his versatility as a director/producer with one foot on
the legit stage and another in the pop culture world; he won a Tony for
the Savion Glover dance musical, and was also honored for staging the
original productions of both Angels in America plays. Wolfe recently stepped down from his post as the PublicTheatre/New York Shakespeare Festival's artistic director, a position
which he held for 12 years. His other Broadway credits include Elaine Stritch: At Liberty, Caroline, Or Change, On the Town and Jelly's Last Jam, for which he also wrote the book. He both co-wrote and directed Michael John LaChiusa's The Wild Party, as well, and is the playwright of Spunk and The Colored Museum.
Usher, whose last name is Raymond, won two Grammys with "Confessions"--the highest-selling album of last year. The singer, who has been recording for more than 10 years, broke into film with roles in The Faculty, She's All That, Light It Up, and Texas Rangers. He also appeared on the TV show "Moesha," and has been cast as C.C. White in the upcoming film version of Dreamgirls.
