The Broadway tour of "Chicago: The Musical" opens tonight at the Fox Theatre for a three-day run starring John O'Hurley as Billy Flynn and Paige Davis as Roxie Hart.
O'Hurley returns to St. Louis after performing in the role of King Arthur in the Muny's production of "Spamalot" in June. He played the role of J. Peterman on "Seinfeld" and was on the first season of "Dancing with the Stars."
Here's what O'Hurley had to say on a few topics:
On starting out his career in soap operas
"I was pretty much in all of them." And in every one he was an "elegant dresser."
A bigger boost, "Chicago: The Musical" or "Dancing with the Stars?
"Probably 'Dancing with the Stars' because it was such a hit and also because it gave me my name back." Up to that point people knew him as Peterman, the character he played on "Seinfeld."
On the current run of "Chicago: The Musical"
"It's done with a minimalist set, with a lot of girls in lingerie and me...It's much more imaginative now, kind of a dark comedy...In the '70s it was much more carnival-like."
On his characterization of Billy Flynn
"He’s opportunistic, he’s charming, he’s elegant, he’s a bit of an SOB, but there’s a quality to him, a paternalistic quality...the second he walks on stage, the audience has to know that Billy’s going to take care of them, the same with Roxie."
Related Events
The Fox Theatre Presents "Chicago: The Musical"
Friday, September 20, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd.
Website:Fox Theatre
Cityscape is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer, hosted by Steve Potter and funded in part by the the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis, the Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.