Usher eying return to Broadway's 'Chicago'

NEW YORK, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Hip hop singer Usher is set to return to a Broadway production of "Chicago" after being out of the hit musical since Friday with an illness.

The five-time Grammy Award winner had been starring as Billy Flynn in the Ambassador Theatre production and recently extended that role through Saturday, at which point Playbill.com said he will be succeeded by Christopher McDonald.

Usher, whose full name is Usher Raymond IV, is making his Broadway debut with the musical, which won a 1997 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, and has been performing alongside Bianca Marroquin and Brenda Braxton in the lead roles.

The Web site said that after McDonald's tenure with the production, which was originally choreographed and directed by the late Bob Fosse, the musical will welcome Huey Lewis in his returning role as Flynn.