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Broadway Goes Pop

September 15th, 2006 Posted by: Haronandez

Many people look at the pop music industry today and see today’s top artists as spoiled brats, money-hungry, untalented synthesized singers and musicians stealing the limelight out of true musicians and talented songwriters.

Yes-many of today’s performers have the look to put them on top, but music critics have recently questioned the validity of their talent. Some pop artists have taken those questions and doubts, and marked them as a challenge. They have taken this challenge straight to the lights on Broadway.

R&B star Usher, Disney’s Haylie Duff and Diana Degarmo of American Idol fame have all taken their pop singing abilities to the Broadway stage in major roles.

Usher, has landed a limited time appearance in the Tony Award winning musical Chicago, playing the furiously witty attorney, Billy Flynn. His talent is among the top in R&B and Pop music. Since he started his role in Chicago, Usher has been praised for his abilities in song and dance in live performances.

Everyone in America remembers the night that Ashlee Simpson was caught singing a song on Saturday Night Live via Memorex… right? Well Ashlee is back. With a new outlook on life as well as a new look - literaly. With some minor surgery and a determination to prove herself once and for all, Ashlee has landed herself a major role in The Musical Chicago in London, as Roxie Hart. This punker-turned-pretty-girl has a major score to settle with her critics and hopes her role in a major, live stage production will be enough to sway them.

What do you think? Do you think these performers have what it takes to make it on Broadway? If not, who do you see in today’s pop music scene as Broadway worthy?

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