Bob Fosse

[misterchoi]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:20pm

Hey all. I just finished watching the film "Cabaret."

I hear so much about Bob, and have read a wealth of material on him, and have also seen "All that jazz," but I was wondering if anyone on this board had met, worked with, or encountered the man in any way and had any stories to tell.

Or even if you didn't and have a story to tell.

Updated On: 1/2/05 at 02:20 PM

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:24pm

Just to add my admiration to your post and to suggest you get a copy of "All That Jazz". It's a pretty incredible look at Fosse.

[pab]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:32pm

Did you mean the book "All His Jazz"? Since misterchoi has said that he had already seen "All That Jazz", I assume you were referring to the book.
All His Jazz

[misterchoi]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:35pm

Sorry Pab, I edited my post after Mamie said that to include the fact that I had seen the movie. My mistake.

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:47pm

Thanks Misterchoi. I remembered seeing "Cabaret" mentioned but not "Jazz". I've had a lot of senior moments lately and I thought this was just another one!

[Kimmygonbefamous]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 4:08pm

I've taken several classes from a student of his who also worked with Ben Vereen...Fosse-style dance is a LOT harder than it looks...but so much fun. It was really interesting to have to consciously throw away half the stuff I know about dance technique and reverse it. He had alot of fun Bob and/or Ben stories...good stuff.

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 5:37pm

My friend & director Margery Beddow was Fosse's AD & danced most of his shows. Gwen taught her her roles. Beddow's book on Fosse is required reading for Fosse fans.

Milla

[Jwei123]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 5:43pm

I was an apprentice this past summer at Ann Reinking's Broadway Theatre Project...and while I never got to work with Bob, I studied from several teachers who have worked with him, or danced the style
-Ann Reinking
-Ben Vereen
-Desmond Richardson
-Deb McWaters
-Ken Alan
-Darren Gibson
-Eric Jordan Young

and many others

and i agree with Kimmy...it is So much harder than it looks. the style id VERY meticulous, and everything must be exactly how fosse wanted. or ann would yell. haha

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 7:56pm

Bob who?

[gherbert]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 8:05pm

Sumofallthings I hope you are kidding and that is what I will assume.

Okay, a Bob Fosse story (I never worked or met him, but here goes anyway):

I believe it was Wayne Cilento that said that he spoke with Bob after the famous Gower Champion death on the opening night of 42nd Street. Fosse had one comment, "Gower always did me one better. I filmed my death, but Gower had the nerve to do it on opening night."

Fosse was always paranoid, thinking the world was against him. During the tryout of Damn Yankees he secured a room next to Hal Prince so that he could listen to everything that Hal said on the phone. He did the same thing to Cy Feuer during Cabaret.

Cy Feuer describes in his autobiography Bob's power over his women. He says that once Fosse's women fell in love with him they fell for him forever. And that his power was so strong that they forgave him for all the other women, didn't mind being one in a crowd.

I'll think of more.

But someone start a David Merrick thread because I have a wealth of entertaining stories about that old hound!!!!

(Please.)

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 8:10pm

Go for it GHerbert.

Very arguably Broadway's greatest, most powerful, and "colorful" producer of the 20th century -- Merrick deserves his own thread on this site.

[gherbert]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 8:11pm

Okay Margo! But only if you join my Merrick party!

[gherbert]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 8:12pm

Ohh! Someone already did. (Thanks SticktoPreist!)

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 8:14pm

Well, you asked.

What am I if not the board bitch?

Or not.
I dunno.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 8:26pm

Alright.

Priest is officially the Board Bitch.

Everyone else bow down and get the f--- ut of his way......

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 9:46pm

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I can NOT believe no one asked me about it!!!!!(FOSSE)I was born for Fosse. I wish there was a video that I could show yall to prove it. You'll just have to take my word for it. He is by far, the most AMAZING choreographer there ever was and ever will be.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 10:18pm

The Gower Champion story is especially funny if you realize that the character in ALL THAT JAZZ played by John Lithgow - the director being courted to replace "Joe" after his heart atack, is based on Gower Champion.