Gwen Verdon... why was Chicago her last Bdway show?

[robinycus2]

Posted: 8/14/10 at 5:01pm

Does anyone know why Ms. Verdon chose to end her Broadway career with Chicago in 75 or 76? She was only 50 at the time and I imagine she could have continued her musical theatre career if she wanted to. Is it because the focus of her career was on dance?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/14/10 at 6:10pm

I believe she did a straight play that didn't last very long at all. It was some sort of thriller and she was a babysitter. I can't remember its name.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/14/10 at 6:14pm

The interwebs are your friend, Dolly...
...but Children, Children was before Chicago

[allofmylife]

Posted: 8/14/10 at 6:57pm

She had health problems, didn't she?

[mshetina]

Posted: 8/14/10 at 7:00pm

I could be totally wrong, but it was my understanding that she was suffering from arthritis even in the mid 70s. Plus, her voice was always a fragile instrument, even moreso as she aged.

[BosBroad]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 12:07am

I'd also heard about health problems, although I don't recall hearing any specifics. The interesting thing is that she also didn't do any tv or movie work until the mid-1980's - at which point she began constantly working in film/tv.

May have also been related to Bob Fosse's health or situation.

Who knows? She certainly was private - and classy.


Updated On: 8/15/10 at 12:07 AM

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 12:17am

Its interesting that a similar thread was started about Ann Reinking last week? It was just an observation and I thought I would bring it up since they both originated the role of Roxie Hart, one in the Original Broadway Cast and one in the revival.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 12:19am

Reinking also played the role in both productions.

[BosBroad]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 12:21am

Yes, Gwen and Ann seem to have popped up together.

I'm the one who started the Reinking thread, though, and it was really a question about what she's doing now re choreography. She's clearly retired from performing.

It is interesting, now that I think about it, that they both sort of stopped dancing around the same age.... and didn't really talk about it...




Updated On: 8/15/10 at 12:21 AM

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 12:23am

Please don't think I'm condemming Gwen Verdon, but I always wondered what happened to her son by her 1st marrige. I know she gave him to her parents to raise while she worked but he really just diasappears from her life.

[BosBroad]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 12:26am

^ I've seen photos of them together in her later years.

I always thought that when she met Bob Fosse, her life became mostly about Bob Fosse. Never knew her, but that was just an impression.

I've also had the same thought about Ann Reinking.

For whatever my thoughts are worth....

Updated On: 8/15/10 at 12:26 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 12:48am

"Always leave 'em wanting more."

[robinycus2]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 11:04am

Appreciate the insights. I just (re)discovered her with some clips on Sweet Charity, Damn Yankees, The Dick Cavett Show and Chicago on YT and am mildly obsessed at the moment. I regret never having the opportunity to see her perform live.
Updated On: 8/15/10 at 11:04 AM

[BosBroad]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 3:03pm

Agree.

I've been searching for a clip of her doing the full theater version of If My Friends.... If you have any info on where I can find that, I'd appreciate a DM.

[robinycus2]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 3:09pm

Regarding the full clip of Gwen performing If My Friends... from Sweet Charity, I found it at my library yesterday. It's on The Very Best of the Ed Sullivan show, Volume 2. Haven't watched it yet as it was out but I placed a hold on it. Looking forward to watching it.

[alterego]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 8:58pm

My guess is that she knew how to retire gracefully.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/15/10 at 9:41pm

I also recall Gwen doing a few movies and she had a recurring role on the TV series WEBSTER. She played an Auntie Mame-type character.

[jv92]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 10:54pm

I never heard about health problems. I think she danced 'til the end, though not in a show or anything. I once read a story of some fellow (can't remember who...maybe it was a relative or friend?) who danced beside Gwen towards the end of her life.

[BosBroad]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 11:06pm

She taught 'til the end, didn't she? So, she clearly still was able to move to a good extent.