Gwen Verdon
Gwen Verdon
Gwen Verdon#0
Posted: 6/14/04 at 10:48pm
In my opinion her dancing as Lola in the 1957 film DAMN YANKEES is good by todays standards.
Though I lived in NYC when CHICAGO was running, I never saw it. Did any of you see Ms Verdon on Braodway?
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Gwen Verdon#1
Posted: 6/14/04 at 11:02pm
Yes on B'way several times and also in the neighborhood. She was a neighbor of mine.
J.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: Gwen Verdon#2
Posted: 6/15/04 at 9:12amI had the pleasure of seeing Gwen Verdun in the original SWEET CHARITY, CHICAGO, and the Music Fair production of DAMNED YANKEES, where Jerry Lanning played the young Joe Hardy and became Miss Verdun's off-stage lover.
re: Gwen Verdon#3
Posted: 6/15/04 at 9:17amI wish I could have seen her live. I'm a bit too young to have had that opportuinty. I have always loved her. She is one of the very few people who could bring the choreography of Fosse to life the way he had intended. Many well trained dancers can do the steps but she had teh attitude to go along with it, that subtle blend of innocent playfulness and sensuality when she danced.
re: Gwen Verdon#4
Posted: 6/15/04 at 9:18am
Very cool!
Gwen was really an amazing dancer and actress. Any idea why she was not more of a film star?
BTW - the "You salt your beets Horace" part of the film "Hello Dolly" is one of the funniest moments to watch. I like that film more now than I did when it premiered.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: Gwen Verdon#5
Posted: 6/15/04 at 9:21am
Trust me, if you value your life---NEVER bring up the so-called film version of HELLO, DOLLY!
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT???????????????
re: Gwen Verdon#6
Posted: 6/15/04 at 9:24am
LOL - I think I hear you! :)
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: Gwen Verdon#7
Posted: 6/15/04 at 9:27am
Good. Now go to the board and write: "They never made a movie of HELLO, DOLLY!" 100x.
(God, I can feel my blood pressure rising!!!!)
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: Gwen Verdon#8
Posted: 6/15/04 at 9:31amDon't breathe in too deeply while you're writing on the board. Chalk dust can kill you.
re: Gwen Verdon#9
Posted: 6/15/04 at 9:34amI think I would rather go for the paddle.
re: Gwen Verdon#10
Posted: 6/15/04 at 9:46am
I saw Verdon in CHICAGO as well, when I was 14. At the time I wasn't aware of the place she held in theatre history -- but I do remember thinking "Wow!". Thought the same thing about Chita Rivera, by the way.
Verdon was a dancer's dancer, even when she was no longer dancing. A friend of mine was in the revival cast of SWEET CHARITY in 1986 (Debbie Allen's attempt), and he said that to sit and watch her coach Allen was something he will never forget. While age kept her from doing it full-out, the nuance, experience, and everything we think about when we think of Verdon as "Charity Hope Valentine" was in all the moves, the angles, etc. Allen was -- as we all know -- a dime-store imitation when dancing along side her.
re: Gwen Verdon#11
Posted: 6/15/04 at 9:50amDid not enjoy Allen, though the majority of the audience seemed to. I got to see it again with Reinking and liked it a whole lot better. :) Verdon was so generous. I read that she coached Shirley for the film. I still love the film.
Swing Joined: 6/14/04
re: Gwen Verdon#12
Posted: 6/15/04 at 10:07amI never saw her in person, but I've heard that she was quite good in REDHEAD...
re: Gwen Verdon#13
Posted: 6/15/04 at 10:36am
There's no doubt that Allen was a fantastic dancer. Yet she lacked the one essential element that the CHARITY choreography demands -- long lines. Choreography built on Verdon, a tall leggy body type, just didn't look the same on Allen's body type. Not Debbie's fault, per se...
I also saw that revival of SWEET CHARITY in '86 with Allen. I enjoyed the show, I thought she did a credible job especially in the dramatic moments. The thing I liked best, however, was seeing "The Rich Man's Frug", "Brass Band", "Rhythm of Life", etc. on the stage. The only ref I had up to that point was the film. It's completely different without all the camera angles and multitudinous cuts.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/12/03
re: Gwen Verdon#14
Posted: 6/15/04 at 11:41amI used to see her at the Columbus & 77th street Sunday Flea Market. I chatted with her a few times who couldn't say enough good things about Betty Grable. A very sweet and nice lady.
re: Gwen Verdon#15
Posted: 6/15/04 at 11:48amI would love it if the TCM type channels would play more Betty Grable and Alice Faye movies.
re: Gwen Verdon#16
Posted: 6/15/04 at 11:48am
She always struck me as the type that would be nice and sweet. Glad to hear my impressions were right.
I wish I could have seen her and Chita in Chicago. That just have been fantastic. I missed most of the great BW legends and now get stuck with my choice of bad pop stars. At least I have had a chance to see a couple of the legends who are still around like Chita and Carol Channing
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