MULTIPLE EMMY AND TONY AWARD WINNER BEBE NEUWIRTH TO STAR IN DICK WOLF'S NBC SERIES 'LAW & ORDER: TRIAL BY JURY'

BURBANK, Calif. -- September 24 , 2004 - Two-time Emmy and Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth ("Cheers," "Chicago") has joined the cast of "Law & Order: Trial by Jury," the new drama series from executive producer Dick Wolf for broadcast on NBC in 2005.

Neuwirth stars as Tracy Kibre, a tough career Manhattan assistant district attorney, in the latest "Law & Order" branded series from creator Dick Wolf. She will join a cast that includes Jerry Orbach (as previously announced) who will reprise his role from the original "Law & Order" as the acerbic Detective Lenny Briscoe, and Fred Thompson (Manhattan District Attorney Arthur Branch on "Law & Order") who expands his role on the new series.

"Bebe is one of today's only true stars of stage, screen and television," Wolf said. "I have no doubt that her presence in an ensemble that already includes Jerry (Orbach) and Fred (Thompson) will help to seamlessly usher in the new series."

Neuwirth first gained notice for her portrayal of Lilith Sternin-Crane on "Cheers" from 1986-93, where she won two Emmy Awards as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also earned Tony Awards as Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for "Sweet Charity" in 1986 and as Best Actress in a Musical for "Chicago" in 1997.

In addition, Neuwirth often reprised her Lilith character as a guest star in NBC's "Frasier" and has appeared in such feature films as "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," "Summer of Sam," "Malice," "Bugsy," "Liberty Heights," "Green Card" and "The Big Bounce."

Neuwirth also starred in the TV movies "Dash and Lilly" and "Cupid & Cate." Among her many other Broadway credits are "Damn Yankees," "A Chorus Line," "Dancin'" and "Fosse." She just completed a successful run of "Here Lies Jenny" off-Broadway at the Zipper Theater.

"Law & Order: Trial by Jury" is a production of Wolf Films and NBC Universal Television Studios. Dick Wolf, Walon Green and Peter Jankowski are the executive producers.