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Tag: Chicago (1-3 of 3)

Apr 15 2013 03:31 PM ET

Wendy Williams to make Broadway debut in 'Chicago'

by John Mitchell

Tags: Broadway, Chicago, Stage, Wendy Williams, TV

Image Credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

How you doin’, Broadway?

Talk show host Wendy Williams is set to make her Broadway debut this summer in Chicago. Williams will play Matron “Mama” Morton in the musical, meaning she’ll also get one big solo number, “When You’re Good to Mama.”

(Good thing we know she can sing!)

The catchphrase queen will play a seven-week limited engagement beginning June 25.

Since its revival in 1996, Chicago has proven a frequent pit stop for film actors and non-thesps alike looking to have a go at the Broadway stage. Usher, Jerry Springer, Brooke Shields, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kevin Richardson, David Hasselhoff, Melanie Griffith, Ashlee Simpson, Christie Brinkley, Kara DioGuardi, and Sofía Vergara (among many, many others) have all appeared in the musical, which is the longest-running musical revival on Broadway. Queen Latifah played the role of Mama Morton in the 2002 Oscar-winning film adaptation of Chicago.

Jan 31 2013 11:58 AM ET

'Fiorello!' kicks off Encores! musical revival series in New York

by Thom Geier

Tags: Chicago, Gypsy, Musicals, Patti LuPone, Stage, Stage/Theater - DO NOT USE, Things That Are Classy

Image Credit: Joan Marcus

Danny Rutigliano has been kicking around New York theater circles for years. (His last Broadway credit: the bellhop in the 2011 revival Born Yesterday.) But the fire-hydrant-sized actor finally gets his moment in the center-stage spotlight in the new revival of composer Sheldon Harnick and lyricist Jerry Bock’s 1959 biomusical Fiorello!, running through this Sunday at New York City Center as part of the Encores! series. Rutigliano makes the most of the opportunity, bringing an infectious energy (and some surprisingly light-footed dance moves) to the role of Fiorello LaGuardia, the five-foot-tall New York city pol who challenged the corrupt Tammany Hall machine in the early 20th century before winning his first mayoral race in 1933. (The role famously earned a Tony for Tom Bosley, who’s perhaps better known as Mr. Cunningham in Happy Days.) READ FULL STORY »

Jun 25 2012 01:08 PM ET

Billy Ray Cyrus to make Broadway debut in 'Chicago'

by Nolan Feeney

Tags: Billy Ray Cyrus, Broadway, Celebs on Broadway, Chicago, Miley Cyrus

Image Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Miley Cyrus may be headed to the altar, but her dad is headed to the big stage. Country singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus will make his Broadway debut in Chicago for a seven-week stint beginning Nov. 5., the AP reports.

Cyrus will play Billy Flynn, a lawyer who defends the musical’s murderesses Velma and Roxie by using their celebrity status to win over the public in Prohibition-era Chicago.

Known for his 1992 hit “Achy Breaky Heart” and for his role on Miley’s television series, Hannah Montana, Cyrus isn’t the first celebrity to try out the Broadway musical. R&B singer Usher played Billy Flynn in 2006, and other stars such as Ashlee Simpson, Chandra Wilson, Sofía Vergara and Michael C. Hall have all been a part of the cast. Richard Gere played the role of Flynn in the 2002 film adaptation.