Home"The AZ Insider" with Kathy Shayna Shocket › AZ Insider: Why Broadway Tour Dazzles On and Off Stage
 
 
 

Kathy Shayna Shocket goes behind the scenes of the headlines.

 john ohurl

Back stage with Chicago’s leading man, John O’Hurley. 

 Yes, the Broadway national tour of Chicago starring John O’Hurley ("Seinfeld," "Family Feud") razzles and dazzles. “It’s a timeless classic,” said John when I caught up with him at ASU Gammage Theatre in Tempe, AZ.  He was getting ready for another performance of the hit musical. It boasts a phenomenal cast. 

 The national production dazzles off stage as well, with a top -notch back stage crew, including its youngest “assistant stage manager.”  That’s because, the eight year old donning the T-shirt with that prestigious title is John and Lisa O’Hurley’s son, William Dylan O’Hurley.

He was taking his job seriously as I shadowed behind him helping Rick Pessagno (the tour’s adult Assistant Stage Manager) collect the casts’ valuables and secure them, minutes before curtain time. With John’s very demanding multi-city tour across the country, (which he began with a six-week holiday engagement on Broadway in January 2015) it’s a priceless bonding experience for actor and son.

john chicago

    The theatre experience of the popular storyline of two murderers who become celebrities, John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Fosse’s Tony winning Chicago, has been touring for about 17 years.  John O'Hurley has been a big part of its  history, first appearing on Broadway as Billy Flynn in 2006. It’s the longest running American musical in Broadway history.

   By the way, playing the slick lawyer Billy Flynn, in the roaring twenties era musical is a fitting  role for the dashing classically trained vocalist. The TV star is also a recording artist and a bestselling author of three books, including “The Perfect Dog” inspired by his son!

    Currently the razzle dazzle of Chicago’s award winning music, choreography and All that Jazz...  is playing in Reno, Nevada at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts through April 26.  

  Will John’s son follow in his entertaining footsteps? Stay tuned.

 kathy-shayna-shocket

 Kathy Shayna Shocket is a freelance Writer and TV-Field Producer based in Phoenix, AZ. She’s a former TV Reporter who’s also written for national publications such as TIME Magazine, MONEY Magazine, PEOPLE Magazine, the Hollywood Reporter and The NEW YORK TIMES. She can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it