Usher's last album, "Confessions," sold more than 8 million copies in the United States and made its debut as number one on Billboard's 200 Albums chart. Among his hit songs are "Confessions," "Burn," "You Make Me Wanna" and "Yeah!"
Usher opens August 22 in "Chicago" and will appear through October 1.
The R&B performer, who was born Usher Raymond in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and raised in Atlanta, was discovered when he was 13 at a "Star Search" competition and was given a recording contract. While "Chicago" will mark his Broadway debut, he has acted in TV shows and several films, including last year's "In the Mix."
"Chicago," Broadway's longest running musical revival, has a score by John Kander and Ebb and a book by Bob Fosse and Ebb. The tale of Roxie Hart, a has-been chorus cutie who murders her boyfriend and tries to ride the notoriety to show-biz fame and fortune, originally was seen on Broadway in 1975.
The Weissler-produced show, winner of six Tony Awards, opened in 1996 and has been seen around the world.
Barry Weissler has developed the replacement strategy for his long-running shows, including "Grease" and "Annie Get Your Gun," into a fine art. In "Chicago," its morally relaxed heroine has been played by such diverse actresses as Brooke Shields, Melanie Griffith, Sandy Duncan, Marilu Henner and Rita Wilson.
Among the actors who have played Billy Flynn on Broadway are Huey Lewis, Wayne Brady, Kevin Richardson, George Hamilton, Taye Diggs, Alan Thicke and Billy Zane.
(Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
