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Usher to Make Broadway Debut

He's won five Grammys, sold millions of records, and starred in several feature films. So what's left for R&B megastar Usher? Start a fragrance line? Become president of a major record label? How about star in a Broadway musical?

In what was no doubt a tough career decision, the multi-talented 27-year-old has settled on the latter option. Beginning August 22nd, Usher will take over the lead role of Billy Flynn in the long-running hit musical Chicago -- the same role played by Richard Gere in the Oscar-winning film. He'll play the role until October 1st, following in the footsteps of other celebrity guest Flynns including George Hamilton, Billy Zane and Taye Diggs.

"I have always admired Broadway actors for their showmanship, dedication and focus that goes into performing live onstage every night," Usher said Friday (July 14) in a prepared statement. "Being on Broadway allows you to connect to audiences in a whole new way that's different from music and movies. When they asked me to play Billy Flynn in Chicago, I jumped at the chance to be a part of such an amazing production."

After his stint on the Great White Way, Usher will reportedly be returning to the studio to begin recording the followup to his 2004 multi-platinum album Confessions.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
07.14.06