Billy Ray Cyrus Broadway Debut Monday
Country music star Billy Ray Cyrus has made his way to Broadway in "Chicago" today.
The singer and actor will play slick lawyer Billy Flynn in the long-running Tony Award-winning revival of the Broadway show. He will make his debut on Nov. 5 and the show will run through Dec. 23 at the Ambassador Theatre in New York City.
While it is the 20th anniversary or his breakthrough hit "Achy Breaky Heart," Cyrus' career has not slowed.
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"My lead role in 'Chicago,' that's my celebration," explained the 51-year-old singer, according to the Toronto Sun. "A lot of the fans are coming from different places around the world and that's kind of your 20-year celebration."
Cyrus, who is the father of singer and actress Miley Cyrus, has sold over 25 million albums internationally. His newest album "Change My Mind" is scheduled for release this month on Blue Cadillac Records. The singer is also currently working on an autobiography, My Life, scheduled for release this spring.
He joins a Broadway cast that includes Amy Spanger, Amra-Faye Wright, Cory English, and Carol Woods, according to Playbill.
When asked about his role as Flynn in "Chicago," Cyrus said he had to "push himself."
"I've always been hungry to learn new things," he told the Toronto Sun. "For me, being on stage, I like that feeling of flying without a net."
Although he enjoys performing, Cyrus noted he was "a nervous wreck."
"Chicago" is directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking.
On Twitter, Cyrus updated his fans on Sunday just before his Broadway debut.
"Just finished my last rehearsal! @ChicagoTheMusical before opening night tomorrow in NYC! Talk about your ThrillBilly!!!! Weeedoggies," posted the Kentucky native.
He later added a quote to Twitter, writing, "'To dare to loose [lose] one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to loose oneself.' Soren Kierkegaard."
The original production of "Chicago" was directed a choreographed by the late Bob Fosse.
