Women's Theater League's "Oral History" Presents Bebe Neuwirth

On May 5, The League of Professional Theatre Women will present Award-winning actress Bebe Neuwirth as part of their successful Oral History project. She will be interviewed by Patrick Pacheco.

"It's an honor and a privilege to participate in this event at Lincoln Center. I look forward to it with excitement, though I am more than just a wee bit nervous," Neuwirth told EDGE.

Betty Corwin, who produces the Oral History series, is delighted that Neuwirth has agreed to "share her thoughts with us. She is an amazing actress who has played all three of the principal roles in the revival of 'Chicago': in the original role of Velma in 1997, as Roxie Hart in 2007 and in 1914, as the warden, 'Mama' Morton. Quite an extraordinary accomplishment."

Neuwirth starred as Velma in the Broadway production of "Chicago," for which she won a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Astaire Award and Distinguished Performance of the Year Award. A few years later she returned to the show, this time portraying Roxie.

She received her first Tony Award for her portrayal of Nickie in "Sweet Charity." Other Broadway credits include "Fosse," "Damn Yankees," "The Addams Family," "Dancin?," "Little Me" and "A Chorus Line." She has performed in regional productions, including Anita in "West Side Story," Jenny in "The Threepenny Opera," the title role in "Kiss of The Spiderwoman" (London's West End) and Katherine in "The Taming of the Shrew."

Off-Broadway credits include a Woody Allen play (directed by Mr. Allen) at the Atlantic Theatre Company, a Terrence McNally play at MTC, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Classic Stage Company, and singing and dancing in an evening of Kurt Weill music in "Here Lies Jenny" at the Zipper Theatre.

She has also played in comedy revues such as Upstairs at O'Neal's. Concert work includes appearing with symphony orchestras around the country, singing the music of Kander & Ebb and Kurt Weill, and a more intimate show called "Stories with Piano."

The Oral History Project chronicles and documents the contributions of significant theatre women in many fields. With the generous support from the The Betty R. and Ralph Sheffer Foundation, the League has interviewed Mercedes Ruehl and Tyne Daly.

The Edith Meiser Foundation has previously supported the interviews of Patti LuPone, Christine Ebersole, playwright Kia Corthron, Donna Murphy, Frances McDormand, and many others. The interviews are videotaped and preserved for posterity in the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

"The League is an invaluable part of my life; an organization of international affiliates that empowers its professional membership, through advocating for parity for women in the theatrical workplace; providing mentorship and networking among members; and preserving and disseminating the legacy of the great women of the theatre, past and present," said League member Linda Chapman.

On the following day, May 8, The League will take to the streets in an Advocacy March through Times Square. The Women Stage the World, an advocacy project from The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW), will bring to life a suffragette inspired parade in which Broadway theatregoers will see 200 women parading and advocating for equal representation in theatre.

Composer/lyricist Sheilah Rae has written an Advocacy Anthem in celebration and solidarity. Many of those parading will be wearing costumes in honor of famous women who set the stage, like Dorothy Parker, Katharine Cornell, Aphra Behn, Margo Jones, Lady Gregory or Hallie Flanagan, the director of WPA Theatre. To learn more about the program and parade route, visit www.womenstagetheworld.org

Bebe Neuwirth will be interviewed at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 5 at the Bruno Walter Auditorium of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts on 65th Street & Amsterdam Avenue. Seats are free; first-come, first-served. For more information, visit www.theatrewomen.org.