Usher Extends Chicago Stay Through October 14

Pop star Usher will now continue as lawyer Billy Flynn in the long-running revival of Chicago through October 14. He had been scheduled to stay with the show until October 1.

Usher has won five Grammy Awards, as well as several American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and other honors. His most recent album, Confessions, sold more than 15 million copies. He has acted extensively in television and in such films as She’s All That, The Faculty, and Moesha. He also had a regular role on the CBS daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful.

In TheaterMania’s review of Usher’s performance in Chicago, we wrote: “Unlike many a manufactured pop star, Usher is the real deal. He can hit — and hold — his notes on a live stage and possesses an easy-to-listen-to voice. He also has a boyish charm, considerable stage presence, and a smile as disarming as Julia Roberts, all of which endear him to the audience.”

Chicago currently stars Bianca Marroquin as Roxie, Brenda Braxton as Velma, Roz Ryan as Mama Morton, Rob Bartlett as Amos, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine. The show won the 1997 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. It will celebrate its 10th anniversary on November 14 with a star-studded performance featuring original stars Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, Marcia Lewis, Joel Grey, and Ann Reinking, along with many other performers.