I've been reading the book: "Nothing Like A Dame" by Eddie Shapiro. The author is having a conversation with Bebe Neuwirth. Here is an excerpt from the book: (author) "One of the things that is of interest to me with "Chicago" is tht they are keeping the show running and in doing that there have been some questionable artistic choices. We talked before about trying to replicate an opening night performance as closely as possible but with "Chicago", there are casting choices that make that an impossibility. Some people might say that the Weisslers (Chicago's producers)sell out. If I were running a show on Broadway, I might do the same thing because there's an economic reality. But as a lover of this stuff, there's something painful abou it to me. What do you think?
(Bebe Neuwirth): "There are two sides to this. One if the obvious side. The roles are for trained dancers. But the other side is that these producers really love the show. Obviously it's very good business but they love the show. I know with all my heart that they love the show and they want it to stay open because it's great material. There's a way to get your mind around it where you can say "You know, it partly proves the point of the show when you bring in a big star. There is a subliminal message that comes through." It's an interesting thing. Roger (Rees) taught me something when we were doing a Shakespeare play together. He said that people can do whatever they want to Shakespeare, but ultimately Shakespeare manages to wriggle free. No matter how questionable you may think someone coming in to the show is, the show survives. It is what it is. And sometimes you get fantastic people coming in. Sandy Duncan comes in and plays Roxie and you go, "Oh my God, that's fantastic! What a great actress and incredible clown she is."
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
