Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson is set to make his Broadway debut in Chicago. The pop star will begin performances as sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn on January 20, a production spokesperson confirmed to Broadway.com. 

Richardson and cousin Brian Littrell, two of the five Backstreet Boys, began singing together when they were just children. Richardson met Howie Dorough, A.J. McLean and Nick Carter while working at Disney World, and the rest is history. The Backstreet Boys began their rise to international stardom in 1996 when their self-titled album was released in Europe. (An American version of the album would follow a year later.) Hits from the recording included "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)," "As Long as You Love Me," "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," "I'll Never Break Your Heart" and "All I Have to Give." Their American follow-up album Millennium was released in 1999 and debuted at number one on the Billboard sales charts. The albums spawned the hits "I Want It That Way," "Larger Than Life," "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely," and "The One." The band has also released the less-succesful Christmas Album and Black & Blue. In total the group's record sales have topped 71 million. 

Billy Zane, currently appearing as Flynn, will play his last performance on January 19. Richardson, who is scheduled to star in Chicago through March 9, will begin performances at the Shubert Theatre and then transfer with the Tony Award-winning revival to the Ambassador Theatre on January 29. 

--Cara Joy David, Broadway.com 

http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=22433&CT=38  

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Richardson to Appear in 'Chicago' on B'way 

NEW YORK (AP) - A Backstreet Boy as shady lawyer Billy Flynn in the Broadway musical "Chicago"? 

Kevin Richardson, the oldest member of the pop-singing group, makes his Broadway debut Jan. 20 in the long-running musical revival. 

The 31-year-old Richardson will open in "Chicago" at the Shubert Theatre and then move with it to the Ambassador Theatre Jan. 29. 

Among the celebrities who have recently played Flynn are Taye Diggs, George Hamilton and Michael C. Hall of HBO's "Six Feet Under." The current Flynn on Broadway is film star Billy Zane. 

Source: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20021210/ap_en_mu/kevin_richardson_1

Kevin Richardson , 31, center, the oldest member of the pop-singing group Backstreet Boys , poses with Michelle DeJean, left, and Donna Marie Asbury, both members of the Broadway musical 'Chicago', in New York, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2002. Richardson will appear in the long-running musical as shady lawyer Billy Flynn beginning Jan. 20, 2003. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews))  http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/021210/168/2ubak.html

Tue Dec 10, 4:43 PM ET  Kevin Richardson, 31, the oldest member of the pop-singing group Backstreet Boy, prepares for a photo shoot by New York photographer Miranda Penn Turin, right, in New York, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2002. The photos will promote Richardson's appearance as shady lawyer Billy Flynn in the long-running Broadway musical 'Chicago' beginning Jan. 20, 2003. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/021210/168/2ubfn.html