Chicago has been running on Broadway since 1996 and it refuses to close. The producers of the hit musical are either the smartest people producing for Broadway or the most annoying. They have fueled tourist interest in the show by having a constant influx of quasi-celebrity actors join their show for limited engagements. It has been like a giant machine, churing out one celebrity who shouldn't be starring in a Broadway musical after another. The latest stars include Ashlee Simpson, Mya, Michelle Williams, Brian McKnight, and now they just announced that starting March 29th, Matthew Settle from Gossip Girl will be appearing as Billy Flynn for a 10 week run.
Oh Broadway. Remember the good ol' days when people were cast in Broadway shows based on their talent? Although Matthew Settle may be amazing, I saw Brian McKnight and Ashlee Simpson and they were both horrifying, leading me to ask: "What is more important? The fact that the show is running or the artistic integrity of the show?" And if the only people seeing it are tourists, should we even care?
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