The 1999 Tony Award winner for Best Musical came to television brilliantly intact in 2001 with the most of the original cast and a couple of sterling star turns. This bold and brassy tribute to arguably Broadway's greatest director/choreographer, Bob Fosse, this musical, directed and choreographed by Fosse mentor and girlfriend Ann Reinking, lovingly recreates some of the most classic Fosse routines that we Fosse fans have come to adore and revel in over the years. The TV version features Ben Vereen and Reinking on stage as well as some of Fosse's best known (and least known) work comes vividly to life again. Honestly, there are moments where you miss the original performers of these numbers, but this young and nubile cast is willing and energetic and give these classic routines fresh life. For me, the highlights were "Big Spender" from SWEET CHARITY (featuring Reinking), "I Wanna Be a Dancin Man" from DANCIN, "Steam Heat" from THE PAJAMA GAME, "Rich Man's Frug", also from CHARITY, "Nowadays" from CHICAGO, and two numbers from the 1973 TV special LIZA WITH A Z: "Bye bye Blackbird" and "I Gotcha". Just about all of Fosse's work is touched on here, with the possible exception of HOW TO Succeed IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, but it is a monumental mounting of Fosse's best work and if you're a fan of the dance in general and of Fosse in particular, this is a must.
Great Performances: Dance in America (TV Series)
From Broadway: Fosse (2001)
User Reviews
Review this title5 Reviews
fine tribute to the fine work of Bob Fosse
myriamlenys30 May 2019
A must-see for fans of the many outstanding choreographies of Bob Fosse ; also a must-see for fans of the "musical" genre.
I leave it to you, dear reader, to pick your own favorites. Personally I like "Steam heat" a lot : it's an excellent performance of a superbly funny number. Still, it's superbly funny from the viewpoint of the audience ; I rather get the idea that it must be extremely demanding to dance... Another stand-out is the tragicomical "Hey, big spender" number. All performers were excellent, but I found myself mesmerized by the dancer/singer with the drooping cigarette in the mouth corner. (You'll spot her soon enough - she's got black dandelion hair and a partially black dress.) In the space of only a few minutes, the lady in question created a whole character - one saw a full-fledged individual, raddled and frazzled after a lifetime of men, booze and cigarettes, yet still capable of insight and sardonic courage.
Even if the rest of the show had been dull and incompetent - it isn't - that lady with the cigarette would be sufficient to justify its existence.
I leave it to you, dear reader, to pick your own favorites. Personally I like "Steam heat" a lot : it's an excellent performance of a superbly funny number. Still, it's superbly funny from the viewpoint of the audience ; I rather get the idea that it must be extremely demanding to dance... Another stand-out is the tragicomical "Hey, big spender" number. All performers were excellent, but I found myself mesmerized by the dancer/singer with the drooping cigarette in the mouth corner. (You'll spot her soon enough - she's got black dandelion hair and a partially black dress.) In the space of only a few minutes, the lady in question created a whole character - one saw a full-fledged individual, raddled and frazzled after a lifetime of men, booze and cigarettes, yet still capable of insight and sardonic courage.
Even if the rest of the show had been dull and incompetent - it isn't - that lady with the cigarette would be sufficient to justify its existence.
Concentrated Genius!
FrSallyBowles19 January 2004
This is an amazing show- a treat for those of us who live isolated from Broadway. 'Fosse' in an affectionate and lively tribute to the great choreographer and director that presents an irrefutable argument for his genius. Working with many of his original collaborators we see restagings of classic moments from Fosse's stage and film work including the most popular and well known works like Cabaret, Chicago and Sweet Charity. The stage show translates to DVD extremely well, itself tribute to Fosse's attention to detail. The raunchier aspects of Fosse's work sit beside moments of subtle emotion and we are treated to an incredible selection of Broadway show-stoppers. Fosse veterans Anne Reinking [who also directs] and Ben Vereen dominate the screen but ultimately it is Fosse's ghost that steals the show. A compact history of some of the best Broadway singing and dancing of the late twentieth century and sure to impress even the most jaded viewer.
A real gem
hcaraso4 February 2004
Led by veteran Ben Vereen, BOB FOSSE was scheduled in Paris just after the stage rendition of Jacques Demy's LES DEMOISELLES DE ROCHEFORT which did not met the expectations. But the Paris musical buffs gave a triumph to the Broadway show; it was not usual in the history of the Théâtre du Chatelet to offer isolated seats only, even for very advanced bookings. I watched for two full hours 17 extraordinary performers, who could sing, act, dance and give the impression that they really enjoyed to do it. The change in the settings was extremely precise and the sophisticated lightings brought an atmosphere of irreality which addded value to the show, if that was still possible. But the great surprise was the finale, with an extended rendition of the immortal Louis Prima's SING, SING, SING, after Ben Vereen sang two standards with curtain down, allowing the invisible personnel to build up an entirely new set for the small jazz band which came up on the screen, leaving the orchestra pit to the conductor and three synthetizers... Only a trombone solo was added to the original standard, as it was played at the Carnegie Hall in 1937. This association with Benny Goodman brought a standing ovation from a public of connoissseurs, totally absent from any anti-American feeling. It was an evening to remember, and I can only pity the few pissed-up reviewers pretending that the ensemble could be a "casting de tournée". They remind me of the snobs who are unable to see the perfection when watching the Joconde at the Louvre. harry carasso Paris, France
Amazing dancing
midnightloner21 September 2003
When I first heard of 'Fosse' I barely knew what it was. There was a connection between the show and a horde of arrogant customers at the coffee shop down the street from where it was showing. (Philadelphia at the time.) So because of those damn people, I hated the show.
Now, I wish those people never existed because I would've have probably died and gone to heaven if I had seen the show. It's amazing. He was a choreographic genius. There should be a plaque in his honor. :)
Now, I wish those people never existed because I would've have probably died and gone to heaven if I had seen the show. It's amazing. He was a choreographic genius. There should be a plaque in his honor. :)
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