The Making of `Chicago'
New York Times, March 23, 2003

To the Editor:

Re "Movie Musical's Hard-Won Harmony: `Chicago' Is a Hit, but Its Path to the Oscars Was Paved With Feuds" (Arts pages, March 19):

As someone who worked with Harvey Weinstein, the co-chairman of Miramax Films, for 10 years developing "Chicago," I disagree with your suggestion of "squabbles" and "meddlings" among a "fractious creative team." A $125 million box office, 13 Oscar nominations for a musical and two million CD's sold are hardly "miscalculations."

From the moment the director Rob Marshall offered his brilliant approach to this complex project, the producers and the rest of the creative team supported his decisions while offering the insight expected from the producers and the financiers of a project.

Mr. Marshall's fatigue was a result of his tireless commitment to excellence, not from fighting off producers.

"Chicago" was one of the most cooperative productions we've had; we saved the real drama, conflict, competition and jealousy for the big screen. MERYL POSTER
Co-president of Production
Miramax Films
New York, March 20, 2003
- posted by ARYABHATT @ 7:00 pm