*SOURCE: www.compuserve.com UNTRAINED ZELLWEGER WOWS IN MUSICALS

Mar 22, 2002 (WENN via COMTEX) -- Actress RENEE ZELLWEGER has laughed off the hype pumped by CHICAGO: THE MUSICAL co-star RICHARD GERE.

The BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY beauty plays murderous broad ROXIE HART opposite Gere, who plays her smooth-talking lawyer BILLY FLYNN in the musical adaptation, which also star CATHERINE ZETA-JONES.

Gere had raved, "She's outstanding. She sings just like BILLIE HOLIDAY."

Renee blushes at this great compliment for an untrained singer.

She says, "I've never done anything like this, and my feet hurt from the dancing. They're four sizes larger!" (ACW/STV/ES&CPT)

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*source: www.compuserve.com GERE'S MUSICAL PASSIONS IN CHICAGO

Apr 02, 2002 (WENN via COMTEX) -- RICHARD GERE is loving every minute of making his new movie CHICAGO - because it gives him the chance to indulge his musical side.

The AMERICAN GIGOLO actor is starring in the big screen adaptation of the classic movie and says he's enjoying the chance to express himself.

He says, "I haven't done a musical since I was a kid in New York ... and that was rock band stuff. Probably the last time I sang was in THE COTTON CLUB.

"But I'd never done this kind of Broadway thing. It demands a big Broadway kind of singing, so I have a singing coach and I'm dancing in it, and these beautiful girls are moving me around. And I have a big tap-dance number at the end."

The new movie also stars RENEE ZELLWEGER and CATHERINE ZETA-JONES and is directed by ROB MARSHALL.

Gere adds, "I think I'm going to be all right in the film, but it's the two leads who are so terrific. Renee is ROXIE (HART) and she brings out a heartbreaking quality to all this.

"I used to think this show was a cold, conceptual piece, but she does things in a way that just rips your heart." (MCM/WNWCC/IG)

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