Chicks chat

By LIZ SMITH

Dixie Chicks

Hathaway

Cher

"I USED to be the optimistic one!" That's what Dixie Chick Natalie Maines said to me when I sat with all three Chicks -- Natalie, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison before they launched their concert tour. I had intended to write up our chat, but after a weekend in Los Angeles, I returned to find the girls all over the place, every cover, every newspaper, and it seemed redundant. Still, I often thought of them, struck by their smarts and good humor, but also by the distinct melancholy that hung over the famous trio. ... I had determined not to go over "The Incident" that had so colored their career -- Maines' onstage criticism of George W. Bush while they performed in England several years ago. But it was an impossible subject to escape. Especially as each woman (Martie and Emily are sisters) was so profoundly affected by the firestorm that erupted. All said they regretted most of all what their children had to see, "that impossibly ugly side of human nature ... it was one thing to disagree with us, it was really something else to accept the level of genuine hate we encountered." ... The Chicks had struggled to get past it, but when it came to recording their next album, "Taking the Long Way," they were still moody, disturbed but determined not to give in. "We didn't feel like recording an especially 'feel good' album. We had a lot to say and a lot of it was very serious stuff." ... On Monday, InStyle and MSN host an intimate fete for the Chicks at the Koi Lounge in New York, celebrating their Manhattan concert at Madison Square Garden.

ON NOV. 14, "Chicago" celebrates a decade on Broadway -- the longest-running musical revival ever. Producers Barry and Fran Weissler are planning a proper spectacle, bringing back the original revival stars -- Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, Joel Grey and Marcia Lewis -- along with a glittering roster of "Chicago" alumni. The gala at the Ambassador Theatre will benefit Safe Horizon, which rebuilds shattered lives. Call [phone]. ... Before Cher takes over in 2008 for Celine Dion at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, she will begin recording a new album. All I know is that the disc will not be especially dance-driven, and the star herself is "very enthusiastic" about the material.

OUR ADORABLE friend Anne Hathaway called -- very sweetly -- to say that she laughed over our item about dropping $7,000 at Fred Segal's in Hollywood, and expressing concern to a salesclerk that she feels she must be well dressed now that "The Devil Wears Prada" is such a hit. "The thing is, I haven't been in L.A. in months. I don't shop at Fred Segal and I wouldn't dream of spending that kind of money on myself. I wasn't raised that way." ... Anne and boyfriend Raffaello Follieri are off to vaccinate 1,000 children against hepatitis in Nicaragua. (Follieri has his own charitable foundation, assisting the needy.) She says, "If I'm going to spend money and time, that's how I'd rather do it. Then I'll come back and buy something vintage. In New York. I'm a New York girl. I was born in Brooklyn, for heaven's sake!" ... Merv Adelson, former headman at Lorimar ("Dallas," "Full House," and many other TV hits) is producing JammX, a group of young people who use rap and dance to inspire other kids to get active and stay fit. This project is very close to Adelson's heart, and his passion has attracted basketball icon Shaquille O'Neal to participate. There is a reality show in the works, now filming in L.A., chronicling the JammX youngsters in a fitness boot camp, recording music and preparing to tour.

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