Usher Eyes Broadway for Next Chapter in His Iconic Career
Usher is setting his sights on Broadway, aiming to bring his extensive music catalog and creative vision to the stage. With a career spanning 31 years and counting, the global superstar is currently on his “Past Present Future” world tour, celebrating his latest album Coming Home and his illustrious discography that has kept him at the top of the charts since the ‘90s. Despite his many accomplishments, the 45-year-old artist feels like he’s just getting started, with ambitions that reach beyond studio albums and music videos.
In a recent interview with USA TODAY Entertainment, Usher revealed his desire to expand into the theatrical world, inspired by the success of fellow artist Alicia Keys, whose semi-autobiographical play Hell’s Kitchen opened in New York’s Shubert Theater in April. The production, which integrates Keys’ real-life experiences and award-winning music, earned 13 Tony nominations, with actresses Kecia Lewis and Maleah Joi Moon taking home awards for their performances.
Usher expressed interest in exploring new ways to share his musical journey, saying, “I’d love to take some of the creative license to reimagine certain musical moments in my life.” He believes that Broadway would allow him to dive deeper into the stories behind his albums, such as 8701, Raymond v. Raymond, and Looking For Myself. “With a play, you could actually really story tell, take your time and really help people understand what the motivation of these albums was really about,” he added.
The eight-time Grammy Award-winner also emphasized his desire to break free from the traditional constraints of his artistry. “I just want to break all the boundaries and reimagine some of the things because I didn’t get a chance to share it,” Usher said. His boundary-pushing spirit was evident during his nearly three-year Las Vegas residency, which opened in 2021 following the pandemic shutdown, and his recent Super Bowl halftime show performance that captivated more than 129.3 million viewers.
Usher is considering various ways to reimagine his legacy, including potential ventures into television and film. “What if we do a TV show about that? What if we really allow people to go all the way into the storytelling and maybe really explain what Confessions is really about? What the feeling and culture of Confessions is?” he mused. He hopes that by exploring the inspiration behind his music from 2001 to his early years in 1987, audiences will gain a deeper understanding of albums like 8701.
As Usher continues to reflect on his journey and future possibilities, it’s clear that the R&B legend is eager to bring his music to new platforms and audiences. Whether through Broadway, television, or film, Usher is ready to turn his creative dreams into reality, proving once again that his legacy is far from complete.
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