All That Jazz
Happy birthday, Bob Fosse. You could always tell a Fosse number.
He started as a performer.
By the mid-50s he was one of the top choreographers on Broadway. He holds the record for most choreography Tonys at eight.
He started directing as well as choreographing, and by the late 60s, was even adapting his shows into film.
He didn't make too many films, but they tended to be notable: Cabaret (for which he won an Oscar), Lenny, All That Jazz. That last one was was semi-autobiographical, and ended with his death by coronary. The real Bob Fosse died of a heart attack when he was 60. Young for a dancer (but not necessarily a major smoker). But he continues to inspire new generations of dancers.
posted by LAGuy @ 12:04 AM
3 Comments:
You disparage the, what was it, "log line" of Mad Men, but here's the imdb description of All That Jazz:
"Director/choreographer Bob Fosse tells his own life story as he details the sordid life of Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider), a womanizing, drug-using dancer."
That, I would say, is elegant.
p.s. I would have sworn that was Sutton Foster in the video, but since she was apparently 4 at the time, I assume it's Ann Reinking.
Choreographer's have favorite dancers. Bob Fosse's favorite at first was Gwen Verdon, and he married her. Later it was Ann Reinking. It's interesting in the movie the Fosse stand-in tells her she doesn't have what it takes for the movies.
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