Bebe Neuwirth to be Roxie Hart!- Page 2

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 1:17am

Well obviously Fosse and others found her vulnverable enough to standby Charity in 86, and put her on quite a bit. And Charity is MUCH more vulnerable than Roxie.

And all those I have talked that saw Chita all thought she was sensational. And these are Chicago fanatics, they try to see every Roxie and Velma possible.

And I always thought she wouldn't attempt it on Broadway because Velma on Broadway in 1975 was too special for her, and she wanted to keep her memories of Chicago on Broadway in 1975. Though I could be pulling that out of my ass, I just feel I heard/read that before. You made it sound like she played Roxie in community theatre. She played it in London, National Tour and I believe Las Vegas.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 1:17am

I tell you, Stunt casting has reached a new low.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 1:20am

This is hardly stunt casting. I think they did this for the real Broadway/Chicago fans. Bebe would never bring in audiences like Usher, or Ashlee Simpson.

I'm sure she'll do some nice business as Roxie, but I really think this is for US.

Also nice to have a Roxie is that is perfect age.

[PersonofInterest]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 1:21am

Very good points "Michael Bennett." (I guess i don't have to use those quotes, no one is going to think I'm actually delusional enough to think I'm really talking to Michael Bennett) Bebe is extremely cold. But her Lola had some warmth, and like ljay889, I'm assuming her Charity did too. But, your point about the Weislers having no rhyme or reason to any of their casting trumps all other relevent points for sure!

[DAME]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 1:31am

She was not a very good Charity. It didn't work. She is also wrong for Roxie. Bad idea.

[justme2]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 2:19am

My only question here is centered on Ann Reinking. I had heard, from reports here and on other boards as well, that Ann is not healthy enough to be dancing any longer and had actually moved out west somewhere to recuperate from years of dance strain on her body.

I realize it's a one night only performance, but I wonder if some of the choreography for Velma or Roxie (whichever she is portraying) will be brought down a level.

Ljay889, heard anything on that?

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 2:32am

I will support Ms. Neuwirth in this little outting.

[PersonofInterest]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 3:48am

justme2: I think that maybe, since so many people are involved, they will divy out the numbers to everyone. If it's true that Ann isn't up to dancing these days, maybe they'll give her "Funny Honey" or "My Own Best Friend."

[BroadwayRandy0711]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 3:55am

Just to see Bebe on Broadway is enough for me. I think that it will be interesting to see how well she portrays Roxie.

[lfae]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 5:58am

OMG. Her run is right when I am over there. I will get to see Bebe in Chicago.

...as Roxie.

Dude.

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 6:58am

This might actually bring me back to the show.

[Producer2]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 7:14am

will she be blonde like in "damn yankees?"

[ILUVTOMG]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 9:26am

all i can say is I PITY THE POOR VELMA who has to play opposite her. MEOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW maybe they can bring Nancy Hess back?

[new_philosophy_girl]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 10:06am

I'm a little freaked out by this because I was listening to Chicago yesterday while driving home from class and I told my boyfriend that I was so upset that I never got to see Bebe in it, and he was like, "well maybe she will come back to the show..."


Seriously, this is great....

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 10:08am

This will definetly bring me back to Chicago. Wow!!!

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 10:10am

I'm so happy to see her reach the heights of Ms. Asslee Simpson.

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 10:53am

I think this is... interesting.

I can't see it... I can't even picture it in my mind.

Which is why, of course, I'll be going. It worked, I thought they could never cast anybody who would get me to go back to Chicago. I haven't seen it since 1998. But I love Bebe. And I'll probably be there the first week.

This is MY kind of weird "stunt" casting (if one can even call it that) - make unusual choices with actual... people I'd like to see on a broadway stage... and I'll SO go.

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 10:58am

Wow, I might have to make another trip back to the Ambassador for this!

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 11:17am

Interesting.

I think no matter what that people will still picture Bebe as the vixen type, and she'll make Roxie very very similar to Velma.

I just don't think she's right for Roxie.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 11:29am

i truly fear for the velma who plays opposite her, its gotta suck to play against the person who won the TONY for the role you are currently attempting

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 11:55am

She'd be great, even 's not right for the role, so what? She'll be able to sing/dance/act... at least you're not getting Ashlee Simpson like us over here! Wanna swap?!
Anyway, can't help this but I think Ruthie will be the only person who can play both roles PERFECTLY! :P *don't kill me*

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 11:56am

I hope its someone like Joan Jett or Debbie Gibson. I can't believe she is actually doing this.
Updated On: 9/6/06 at 11:56 AM

[mrsparker]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 12:08pm

I think it's pretty interesting casting and it WILL sell tix. But I agree that Bebe lacks warmth. The characters she typically plays are not warm and fuzzy and therefore she is effective. But as a concert performer, she is pretty one-dimensional and doesn't do much to establish a rapport with her audience. Her voice lacks range, too, and listening to her becomes a monotonous exercise. I want very badly to like her, but it is that very lack of perceived warmth that never gets me to the next level of appreciation.

[ILUVTOMG]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 12:15pm

i saw her play charity when she subbed during debbie allen's vacation. she just wasn't very good. she tries too hard to be vulnerable and it just doesn't work. you either got it or you ain't. on the other hand, no one plays a cold fish like she does.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 12:17pm

My favorite Bebe scene is in "Celebrity" when she shoves the banana down her throat.