Zeta-Jones To be Part of Oscars Musical Salute
Catherine Zeta-Jones to take part in Oscars musical tribute. ©Pacific Rim Photo Press.

Catherine Zeta-Jones to take part in Oscars musical tribute. ©Pacific Rim Photo Press.

By ANGELA DAWSON

Front Row Features

HOLLYWOOD—Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones revealed today she is a bit anxious but excited about her upcoming appearance at the Academy Awards  as part of a special celebration of movie musicals of the last 10 years.

Speaking at a press junket to promote her new movie “Side Effects,” in which she plays a psychiatrist, the Welsh actress said: “I’m absolutely terrified. I’ll be there (but) I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing. That will be fun.”

Zeta-Jones, of course, won an Oscar for her supporting performance as murderess Velma Kelly in the 2002 musical “Chicago,” which won five additional Oscars, including Best Picture. The box office hit relaunched the movie musical in Hollywood.

“Chicago” is among three Hollywood musicals that will be showcased at the Academy Awards, which will be presented on Sunday, February 24. The others are 2006’s “Dreamgirls” and 2012’s ‘Les Misérables,” which has eight nominations, including Best Picture. No official word yet on who will be represent those pictures in the tribute.

“The musical as a motion picture genre has had a remarkable renaissance in the last decade,” said producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron in a statement. “We are excited to showcase three musical films—’Chicago,’ ‘Dreamgirls’ and ‘Les Misérables’— on our Oscar show.”

The Oscars, Hollywood’s highest honor, will be presented at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane broadcast live on ABC.  The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries.

The Steven Soderbergh-directed “Side Effects,” which also stars Jude Law and Rooney Mara, is slated for release Friday,  February 8.