Ashlee Simpson, who was recently ousted from Melrose Place, will be playing Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago, according to the blog Gossip Cop. A publicist for the production would not confirm the casting, nor would Simpson’s reps, who declined to comment. Simpson previously played the role in a London staging of the musical.
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Comments (1-30) of 34 Add your comment
I weep for all of the amazing dancers and singers in NYC who are waiting tables, and auditioning endlessly for a shot on Broadway. The theatres should dim their lights this evening at this news.
totally agree
Really Broadway, really??!!??!??
Dude you said it.
I agree with ZO; but not because I am necessarily against stunt casting, but because this particular one is absurdly misguided, seeing how Miss Simpson had absolutely zero talent as a singer, dancer or actress. She is basically a triple-threat talent black hole, and yeah…it sucks that so many superb singers, dancers and actors eke out a living while breathlessly waiting for their big chance, while a talentless bimbo who doesn’t even sport her own real face, gets a starring role on a major Broadway show…
” a triple-threat black hole”… wow! thats a priceless burn…
I actually laughed out loud at this comment. Awesome verbiage.
Why is she still relevant?
she’s not
I agree. Not only is she completely one-dimensional and untalented at anything besides having her picture taken, she’s a bit too young to play Roxie. Meanwhile, some incredibly talented young woman will serve a few extra drinks tonight and watch her dreams pass her by again.
None of you have seen her in this part. You’re assuming she’s bad because for whatever reason you dont like her. Grow Up. She did this part in London and got great reviews. That’s a fact. Im sure she’ll do well.
Right, Kyle. So you’re that one person who is still deluding yourself into thinking Ashlee Simpson has even one small iota of talent, huh? Well, good to meet you. Now get a clue.
Ashley Simpson-Wentz, is that you?????????
don’t worry guys. she can just lip-sing the lyrics!
Hmm. Wonder what lip-singing is.
Oh dear God, that was 5 or 6 years ago. LET IT GO.
I agree with the first comment, it’s unfortunate that legions of talented young dancers and performers are struggling for a shot at Broadway and this talentless waste of space is just handed roles at her leisure. Talk about a morale drain.
I’m sorry, but if you get kicked off “Melrose Place,” it’s a great big sign screaming at you, “YOU HAVE NO TALENT; FIND A NEW CAREER.” I know they’re saying she’s leaving because of “creative moves” and whatnot, but let’s be blunt; Ashlee Simpson cannot act her way out of a paper bag.
She already did the role in London, and everyone was horrified when she received (GASP) . . . . solid reviews. Hurts my soul that she did alright in it.
its not like Chicago demands talent people! All they’re looking for is a hot chick that won’t trip alll over herself
Sadly the current state of Broadway forbids casting anyone below the B-list it seems. So all of those struggling actors out there can’t get a role in a show because the audiences don’t want to shell out the cash for a lead they’ve never heard of. I don’t agree with this, but I know I’ve done it a million times when deciding what play to see.
–People wanna see Paris Hilton in the Apple tree.
Who wants to see Paris Hilton in the Apple Tree
I dunno…a lot of people…
TG, you said Broadway forbids casting anyone below the B-List. So, are you saying you actually think Ashlee Simpson is an A or B-List celebrity? Good god! She’s famous for NO REASON. She’s just another Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, . If viewers don’t do something about this, they’ll never go away. Stop going to their events, stop buying their junk – send a clear message that we won’t accept these no-talent time-wasters in Hollywood, on Broadway or anywhere else. It’s time for REAL celebrites with REAL talent to take back what’s theirs. That goes for you, too, Miley Cyrus.
I figured the B-list comment might get that response but I really didn’t want my post to be crazy long with explaning myself…I absolutely agree with you.
your [title of show] reference makes me smile!
Oh…but that doesn’t mean I would EVER see Chicago with Simpson…I saw it years ago on tour with an amazing cast of unknowns who are still unknowns.
Yawn – why are we discussing her? She’s a no-talent hack whose father somehow go some power in Hollywood and is now force feeding her to whoever will take her. And with the current economy I am sure Broadway os looking for any ray of hope they can. Unfortunately tourists from Oklahoma or some other god-forsaken place will still pay money to see her. It sucks, but like most things about the US these days it speaks volumes about how stupid the people who live here are.
Tru dat, Shroom. Tru dat.
Please, please tell me I’m going crazy and I haven’t just read that someone, somewhere with some amount of power in the Broadway world has enough faith in Ashlee Simpson that she’ll be playing Roxie Hart. This is the stupidest thing I’ve heard since Australia being “shocked” that Britney lipsyncs during her concernts. Ashlee Simpson is not talented. She bombed as an actress, bombed even more as a singer and is only hanging on to a sliver of celebrity because of her last name (which is also nuts considering her sister’s immense lack of talent as well). I’ve long considered Broadway one of the last places showcasing real talent by real actors with real skills. Please, Broadway, don’t make us say “I told you so”.
Hasn’t her deal with the devil run out yet?
Chicago has been doing stunt casting for years… Im actually surprised its still on broadway…
When will she go away?
Actually, I am not gonna blame her for this, after all, she didn’t put a gun to the producers’ head and demanded to be cast. The producers of Chicago somehow think her name will translate into ticket sales. Ironic, considering the “career” she used to have lasted all of 15 minutes, her last two albums flopped, and she was unceremoniously fired from her last TV show. I can’t believe that after her illuminating lip-sincing fiasco on SNL, ANYONE would ever hire her as a singer, let alone a BROADWAY PRODUCER…
I saw her in Chicago on London’s west end! She killed it.. She sounded great and put on a wonderful performance.. I think you guys will all be shocked!
Asslee will always be Jessica’s less attractive, less talented younger sister. And it ain’t like Jessica is all that to begin with. I wish the whole family would just go away.
She does know she has to sing AND act AND dance all at the same time right? Right?