Broadway Vet Bebe Neuwirth in'Chicago'

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK — From Velma to Roxie. Bebe Neuwirth, who originated the role of Velma Kelly in the Broadway revival of"Chicago"_ and won a Tony Award for her performance _ is now switching murderesses.

The actress will portray Roxie Hart in the long-running production at the Ambassador Theatre beginning New Year's Eve. She will appear in the show through March 25.

Neuwirth, 47, co-starred with Ann Reinking in the Bob Fosse-Kander and Ebb musical when it was first revived on Broadway in November 1996. As a dancer, she has appeared on Broadway in productions of"Damn Yankees"and"Sweet Charity,"for which she won her first Tony.

Television viewers know her as Dr. Lilith Sternin on the NBC comedy"Cheers."She also played an assistant district atttorney on"Law&Order: Trial by Jury."

Neuwirth and Reinking will reunite Nov. 14 for a gala 10th-anniversary performance of"Chicago,"which will include other original revival cast members as well as performers who have appeared in the Broadway production over the years. It will be a benefit for Safe Horizon, a national victim-assistance organization.

The original production of"Chicago,"which starred Gwen Verdon as Roxie and Chita Rivera as Velma, had a two-year run on Broadway in the mid-1970s.

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