Usher Debuts New Tunes During Off-Broadway Play

(AP) Usher debuts new songs during off-Broadway play
By MESFIN FEKADU
Associated Press
NEW YORK
Usher debuted new songs in an unconventional way Friday night: The singer danced to his new music as part of the off-Broadway play “Fuerza Bruta: Look Up.”

Usher worked as its lead “Running Man,” beginning the show on a treadmill, bursting though paper-made walls as his No. 1 R&B tune “Climax” blasted in the background.

There was also a plastic pool suspended above the crowd, where dancers moved and splashed around to songs, including one slow groove with lyrics like: “It’s raining inside your bed.” Water hit the crowd throughout the night, which included members of the press and industry insiders at the invite-only event.

Usher debuted 12 songs Friday. He’ll release his seventh album, “Looking for Myself,” on June 12.

At one point the Daryl Roth Theatre turned into a pulsating nightclub as Usher’s new pop anthems _ including the European-flavored “Scream” _ played as lights flickered, sirens blasted and confetti burst.

Usher will also perform two shows with the cast Saturday that will be open to the public.

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Online:

http://fuerzabrutanyc.com/

http://usherworld.com/

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Mesfin Fekadu covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow him at http://www.twitter.com/musicmesfin.