Neuwirth is a true Broadway Bebe

By Matt Windman | amNewYork Theater Critic

February 16, 2007

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Truth be told, Bebe Neuwirth is not the first actress to play both Velma and Roxie, the two merry murderesses of "Chicago."

In fact, she is not even the second. Others to pull off the feat have included Chita Rivera, who was the original Velma in 1975 and later played Roxie in Las Vegas in 1999; as well as Ruthie Henshall and Donna Marie Asbury. Still, Bebe has also hit on another triumph: not forgetting that she played Lola in "Damn Yankees" and Charity in "Sweet Charity," Neuwirth has now performed the three great roles originated by Gwen Verdon.

Though "Spring Awakening" is the best of Broadway's newer musicals and "Drowsy Chaperone" is the most attractive of the campy musicals, "Chicago" is still the most solid musical on Broadway overall. Though a revival, it still has the most contemporary and insightful book of any musical as well as the best score.

But what has also kept the revival newsworthy for ten years is how its lead roles - originated in 1996 by Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, Anne Reiking and Joel Grey - are constantly pumped with new blood through replacements. But unlike someone without any stage experience like Usher or Melanie Griffith, Neuwirth brings a lifetime of familiarity with "Chicago" and the world of Fosse with her into the world of Roxie.

As such, it is no surprise that she delivers one of the most well acted portraits of Roxie Hart ever to grace this long-running revival. Though played in the film by Renee Zellweger and recently in London by Ashley Simpson, Roxie, truth be told, is a late middle-aged woman.

"I'm older than I ever intended to be," she confesses to the audience. Capitalizing on Roxie's desperate need for attention, Neuwirth creates a compelling sense of urgency that informs all of her character choices.

Philip Casnoff, remembered for the flop musicals "Chess," "Shogun" and "Rockabye Hamlet," is too laid back to be an effective Billy Flynn. (He chooses not to hit the final high notes of "The Gun Song.") Still, the cast as a whole effectively keeps "Chicago" more than thrilling, more than ten years into its Broadway revival run.

Chicago. Ambassador Theatre, 219 W 49th St, 212-239-6200, $58.75-$111.25. Tue 7pm, Wed 2 & 8pm, Thu-Fri 8pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 7pm. Open run. With Usher through March 25.