Local Broadway Veteran Brings Expertise To "Chicago" In South Florida
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A true New York City institution arrives at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts this week—Chicago—winner of six Tony Awards, a Grammy, and thousands of standing ovations.
Leading the cast as attorney Billy Flynn is veteran Broadway star and actor John O'Hurley, a graduate of Fort Lauderdale's Cardinal Gibbons High School back in 1972.
"I have to pinch myself to be able to come back and do this show in such a great performing arts center," said O'Hurley, adding, "You want to have these moments as an actor where you can look back over your shoulder and say it's so nice to go back home and do something good."
O'Hurley is best known for his role as J Peterman, the owner of a retail company and Elaine's boss on the hit sitcom Seinfeld. O'Hurley became so widely recognized for his role that the real J Peterman asked him to join the company as an investor and spokesperson—and he did.
"The funny story is he and I will be walking down the street after a board meeting in NY and people will scream out, 'Hey Peterman!' and they are not talking to him. I've literally stolen his identity and I'm not giving it back," joked O'Hurley.
But it's his role as rascal Billy Flynn, a character he's brought to life more than 1000 times on stages from Broadway to Biloxi, he finds most satisfying.
"It's one of the great joys," O'Hurley said, "I always say that the audience doesn't know that at 8 p.m. I'm going to tell a tell a story and by 10:30 p.m. they will be on their feet. There's not too many shows I can say that about that, but this one yes."
Chicago is on at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts Oct 9-20th.
