Jerry Springer To Join the Broadway Company of Chicago

Controversial talk show host Jerry Springer will soon be joining the cast of the Broadway production of the musical Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre for a limited time. Springer will be playing the role of slick lawyer Billy Flynn, a part that he previously played in the London production of the hit revival of the cynical, jazzy John Kander & Fred Ebb musical. He will be in the Broadway cast from August 18th to September 6th (though he will be absent from the August 24th and 31st performances of the show). Springer will go on to play Billy Flynn in productions of Chicago playing in Atlanta and Philadelphia later in September.

Chicago On Broadway To Start Post-Show Talks

Lively post-show talkbacks with cast, crew, and creative team members are a staple at regional theaters and Off-Broadway theaters, but they're less common at Broadway shows. And they're pretty much unheard of for long-running Broadway musicals. But the Tony-winning Chicago is bucking the trend by introducing "Talkback Tuesdays," a Q&A session to be held once a month following a designated performance. The first talkback at the Ambassador Theatre will be with Chicago's director, Walter Bobbie, following the September 23 performance of the show.

The Duke of Broadway: John Schneider To Play Billy Flynn in Chicago

The Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider is to be the latest in a very long line of former TV celebrities to join the cast of the Broadway revival of Chicago. On January 14, Schneider will begin a two-month stint in the role of Billy Flynn, the too-slick lawyer who knows how to razzle dazzle a courtroom (and, hopefully, a Broadway audience!). Schneider is not new to Broadway, having made his debut in Grand Hotel, in addition to many other theater credits outside of Broadway.

Sopranos Stars Hit Broadway

Aida Turturro and Vincent Pastore, best known for their roles as Janice Soprano and Sal "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on the acclaimed HBO series The Sopranos, will be joining the Broadway cast of Chicago on November 19. Turturro will be taking on the role of Matron "Mama" Morton, while Pastore will play sad sack Amos Hart.

U.S. National Tour of Chicago Closes

After 10 years on the road, the Broadway national tour of Chicago will end in San Diego on September 9. Meanwhile in New York, the Broadway production is still going strong. But even if you aren't in NYC, you still may have a chance to see Chicago in your own town because there are already plans to launch a new national tour of the musical in 2008.

R&B Singer Brian McKnight To Join Chicago on Broadway

Following in a long line of celebrities from the world of popular music (Huey Lewis, Usher, etc.) who have taken on the role of lawyer Billy Flynn in Broadway's Chicago, R&B singer Brian McKnight will be joining the cast of the show on October 8. The role is currently being played by TV star Harry Hamlin.