USHER - USHER'S BROADWAY DEBUT BOOSTS BOX OFFICE

USHER'S BROADWAY DEBUT BOOSTS BOX OFFICE

R+B star USHER's debut performance on the Broadway stage as BILLY FLYNN in CHICAGO has created a massive boost in ticket sales. The singer made his debut on the New York City stage on Tuesday night (22AUG06) and on Wednesday (23AUG06), the 10-year-old show sold $200,000 (GBP111,000) in tickets - the show's biggest single-day take in years. The musical usually sells approximately $40,000 (GBP22,000) worth of tickets per day. Producer BARRY WEISSLER is thrilled with the crowd's reaction, although he is having some trouble controlling them. On Tuesday night, hundreds of frenzied fans rambled over barricades surrounding a 1935 Auburn convertible in which Usher was seated, mobbing their idol. A mob scene also greeted Usher after Wednesday's matinee, where fans again tried to climb over the barricades. Weissler has hired additional guards and has asked the city to supply more uniformed police to help control the crowds. He adds, "There is a new excitement on the street, and it's wonderful. But it can be a little scary."