O'Hurley Brings 'Chicago' To Bank Of America Theatre

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The musical "Chicago" is back on stage, opening tonight in its namesake city.

WBBM's Regine Schlesinger has been talking with one of the stars, John O'Hurley, who you might know from his days playing J. Peterman on "Seinfeld."

O'Hurley said he's played the role of shyster lawyer Billy Flynn some 1,200 times.

He's in the latest national tour of the Kander and Ebb musical about crime and celebrity in 1920's Chicago. He said it's different playing it here than anywhere else.

"The audiences here embrace the show as a signature musical, and it really is. It's a signature piece of the town. The other part of it is that we get the best orchestras here," O'Hurley said. "I think the orchestras here that play the score of 'Chicago' are far better than we get anywhere else in the country, including Broadway. I think there's a sense of the Chicago jazz that you just grow up with that sense of authenticity in your musical blood."

Although he's done repeated tours of both "Chicago" and "Spamalot," O'Hurley is best known for his TV work, including the voice of King Neptune on "SpongeBob SquarePants," and of course, as businessman J. Peterman, Elaine's boss on "Seinfeld."

His favorite episode was 'The Wedding Cake' episode, when Elaine steals a priceless piece of World War II wedding cake from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and replaces it with a $2 slice of Entenmann's

"That was my favorite," he said.

"Chicago" plays through Sunday at the Bank of America Theatre in the Loop.