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Fosse's Dancin'

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#1

Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 8:45am

Out of all of Fosse's major stage works as directors (ok this and the odd waxworks mystery Redhead just cuz for a best Tony winner it's pretty obscure) Dancin' fascinates me the most. In the 2-3 Fosse books they really don't pay much attention to it--especially since it ran nearly 5 years--I suspect partly as a work like that is hard to describe in words (Gottfried's Razzle Dazzle does the best).

I don't think anything form it was ever performed on any awards shows and I think I heard Fosse didn't even allow it to be taped for Lincoln Center--the best we can do is probably the segments saved for inclusion in Fosse... So anyone seen it here? What did you think?

It just seems like such a huge mesh up of ideas and everything people love--and hate about Bob. One part the books do mention is how even the dancers found one of the segments--The Ballet Barre where--from what i can tell--a ballet lesson turns into a man performing cuninlingus on one of the ballet dancers (I swear that's what one of the dancers complains of) as pretty misogynistic and embarassing to be side by side with the other numbers.

Does anyone even have a good list of what the segments were and how they fit together? I can't even find that.

Thanks! (Youtube does have some rehearsal clips from a national tour ofr Dancin which are fascinating as well as VERY brief newsclips of a performance by that company in one city)

E

#2

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 10:08am

The original Boadway cast of DANCIN' performed the 1st part of "Sing! Sing! Sing!" (with Ann Reinking in the ensemble) at the 1978 Tony Awards (no...her legendary 'Trumpet Solo' isn't on there!). I'll post it on that site probably later tonight.

The cast of FOSSE did this exact version at the 1999 Tony Awards, and which is on that site as well as the BROADWAY LOST TREASURES III DVD.

I'll go thru my DANCIN' stuff and see what is worthy enough to be posted (quality wise).

Cool?

#3

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 10:15am

I was disappointed by DANCIN'. It is typical of a melange type show that after a while what looks great in context begins to look almost trite and repetitive. I don't remember the ballet segment you mention - and I am sure I would remember it if it was as described. Fosse was always very direct about sexual aspects of dancing. I also thought a lot of the singing was not good -

#4

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 10:23am

i saw it several times mostly because of ann reinking who was at her peak...and her trumpet solo alone was worth the price of admission. i think the long run was mostly due to the fact that it appealed to non English speaking tourists - no talkin', just dancin'and easy to follow. interesting that FOSSE used alot of material from DANCIN' but i preferred dancin'. FOSSE just seemed cluttered.

#5

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 11:06am

Loved, loved, loved DANCIN'!!! There actually is some footage at the Lincoln Center Library from a video confiscated from an audience member. I remember really loving the number where they nailed their shoes to the floor, very original and fun. This show was overflowing with some of THE best dancers on Broadway ever, period. Honestly, I think it is a show that would do well if it were revived in a few years or I certainly would love to see a major regional theatre tackle it as well. And yes, I do remember the ballet barre number and it was quite provocative for its day and one would assume it would still ruffle a few feathers and make people uncomfortable nowadays as well but then again, that is Fosse at his best.

"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns

#6

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 11:22am

I wish that I had been around to see this production. Even if someone tried to remount Dancin', it just wouldn't be the same. *sigh*

#7

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 11:50am

I loved it because of Ann Reinking. I had seen her in "Over There" and even then---she stood out. (I think John Travolta was in that also)---
But Dancin' was what it was----you got what you expected--but watching Ann R. dance was an amazing experience, so for me--that made the show amazing.

#8

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 4:31pm

I never saw DANCIN' but I did see FOSSE and I agree with other people that it was too much of a good thing, like having seven different desserts. It would have helped if they had electric signs at each side of the stage(ala GYPSY) stating which show the dancing segment came from. It did indeed seem cluttered, despite the brilliance of the dancers. Overall, I was disappointed seeing all of these dance segments out of context.

"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"

#9

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 4:49pm

Ann Reinking's 'Trumpet Solo':

re: Fosse's Dancin'

re: Fosse's Dancin'

#10

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 4:52pm

I rather enjoyed DANCIN'. Except for the cunnilingus number (too explicit for my taste) and the A W F U L number where three ladies came out and sat on stools and warbled a terrible song that I cannot recall at the moment. It was completely out of place.

As for FOSSE the thing that irritated me the most was the design of the show. Black costumes against black scenery didn't give much of an opportunity to appreciate any of the choreography. And it was too LOUD.

#11

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 4:53pm

I've alwasy loved that stunning photo of Reinking!

#12

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 5:02pm

Morosco, that song was Dolly Parton's "Here You Come Again," I believe.

"Be on your guard! Jerks on the loose!"

http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html

**********

"If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!"

~ Best12Bars

#13

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 5:05pm

I didn't have an appreciate for dance then like I do now, but one of the few things I remember about the original production was that the music was so loud it gave me a headache.

Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany

#14

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 5:05pm

Oh lordy...you're right!

#15

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 5:17pm

Here's my funny story about the "cunnilingus number."

I went to see this with my boyfriend and my parents. The seating arrangement was like this: me, boyfriend, mom, dad.

It was very embarrassing for me to be sitting there with my father a few seats away during that number, but I was SO curious how he was reacting to it, so about half-way through the piece, I leaned forward to see what his response was..and he was asleep! I was so relieved! (It was a weeknight and he had worked all day. Whew!)

"Be on your guard! Jerks on the loose!"

http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html

**********

"If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!"

~ Best12Bars

#16

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 6:44pm

I saw it 6 times...including early on in Boston when "Welcome to the Big City" was an act onto itself, that was cut when I came back to Boston to see it a week later. It was a wonderful entertainment. The recreations in FOSSE were not as good at the original numbers.

#17

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/5/07 at 7:20pm

One thing Dancin' had that Fosse didn't was color. The black sets and costumes were fine for Chicago but in Fosse at a certain point I would have done anything for some red--anything!

Yes, we do need a third vampire musical.--Little Sally, Gypsy of the Year 2005.

#18

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/6/07 at 2:50pm

I agree about the look for FOSSE. A lot of the choreography was lost against the black background with the black costumes. He does so many brilliant subtle moves that were just impossible to see unless you sat fairly close.

"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns

#19

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/6/07 at 4:42pm

Well...the original Broadway cast of DANCIN' performing "Sing! Sing! Sing!" at the 1978 Tony Awards is up on that site now.

Along with quite a bit of 'new' goodies.

#20

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/6/07 at 6:09pm

BrodyFosse123, have I told you lately that I love you?

"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns

#21

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/6/07 at 7:21pm

Brilliant!

#22

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/6/07 at 10:53pm

Brody, this is slightly off topic but do you have ANY footage to put up on that site of Fosse, Sondheim, Michael Bennett or Kander and Ebb winning a Tony? I'd love to hear one of their speeches again.

Updated On: 4/6/07 at 10:53 PM

#23

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/7/07 at 8:40am

Yes...and I'll see what I can do.

#24

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/10/07 at 9:11pm

I think comparing it to Fosse is missing the point... I agree with ALL the complaints about Fosse but really I was just SO thrilled to have any sort of record of these great dances--which remember most of which weren't even recorded for the Lincoln Center Archives because Fosse wouldn't allow it. And even happier they were done with Gwen's supervisionbefore she passed on.

The DVD I think was recorded a bit too late in the run (some have complained tat numbers like Rich Man's Frug aren't done with the extreme posture fully forced, etc--the dancers had laxed up a bit afte rmany performances and I wish Ben Vereen had stayed out of all the dances except Bojangles (I have a far better performance of Bye Bye Blackbird by the Fosse cast taped from the Rosie show) but it's still wonderful to have on DVD--I feel bad complaining.

I saw the non-equity (I belive) tour just a few years ago and again, whiel I had porblems I was just thrilled to see so many of my fave numbers LIVE for once. They did the full Take Off With Us with the three pas de deux which isn't in the Broadway one and I loved--but cut Dancin' Man and the Manson Trio I think for some odd reason (anyone know why?)

Yeah I would aprefered maybe something liek Jerome Robbins Broadway with full costumes and sets--but that show was SOOO expensive I doubt Fosse woulda been a hit if it were so elaborate. And yeah as a rule I'm not a big fan of "revue/best of" shows but again just the chance to see these numbers--even if sometimes it was too much of a good thing, is too good for me to complain about.

Back to Dancin'--so anymore memories of this cuninlingus number? :P

E

#25

re: Fosse's Dancin'

Posted: 4/10/07 at 9:19pm

Thank you thank you thank you BrodyFosse123 for Sing Sing Sing. Did you guys notice that the drummer losses his cymbal during the number? It comes crashing to the stage and a dancer quickly moves it out of the way.

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