RAZZLE AND DAZZLE ON BROADWAY

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Story By: Marcy MacDonald
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Melanie Griffith

THEY RAZZLED, DAZZLED and JAZZED $1.2 million for SAFE HORIZON at the Amsterdam Theatre where a 10th anniversary reunion brought out the stars -- and brought in the money. The show opened with a killer number led by veteran Broadway baby, Chita Rivera who --literally -- knocked 'em dead all over again. A galaxy of Roxie Harts (including Melanie Griffith -- husband Antonio Banderas arrived at the dress rehearsal with Jane Kazmaryk -- Rita Wilson, Brooke Shields, Marilu Henner, even Ashlee Simpson (from the London company) and the amazingly underrated (until now) Ruthie Henschell took us where "the gin is cold, but the piano's hot": Chicago! In a musical jail, they joined the Velma Kelly's (included Bebe Neuwirth who pronounced the music, the book, the choreography and the characters "perfect") Cityslick-solicitors in the form of lawyer Billy Flynn -- from Ben Vereento James Naughton, a sleepy-eyed Huey Lewis (without 'The News'),Wayne Brady, gorgeous Brett Barrett, John O'Hurlihey, Kevin Richardson (everybody but Usher whose sore-throat days off cost the show $400,000-a-week during his run)-- mobbed the 'jail' where their clients developed their talents under the guidence of jailhouse matron Mamas' played in turn and in harmony by Lynda Carter, Marcia Lewis Bryan, Roz Ryan, Carole Woods and more. The only 'Mr. Cellophane'(Roxy's husband Amos -- referred to as 'Andy' by Chicago's lawyers)who scored a standing ovartion was Joel Grey. Director Walter Bobie and producers Barry and Fran Wexler applauded Anne Reinking who choreographed the original show and thanked the patrons who shelled out as much as $5,000 for each ticket for the privilege of standing for ovations and joining the enormous cast for the after-party, around the corner at New World Stages. For the hundreds who attended, sunrise came too soon.