Reinking should get a Theater or Dance studio named after her. Or both.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 1:51pm

Sorry if it is too soon.  I just adored her.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 2:07pm

Maybe they could rename the ambassador? I dunno

[Tag]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 2:24pm

Maybe a Fosse Theater first?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 2:28pm

I’ve always thought the Ambassador should be renamed The Fosse. But I love the idea of a dance studio.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 2:58pm

I wouldn't be surprised if a studio or rehearsal space was named for her in NYC. More likely to get a theatre, or something larger in her hometown of Seattle, I would think.

[Iclick]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 4:49pm

I adore Ann Reinking and had the pleasure of watching her dance.  I would love to see a dance space named after her.  I would think Bob Fosse would get a theater named after him before she would.  

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 5:12pm

If any theatre would merit being renamed the Bob Fosse Theatre is the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Before being changed to the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 1990, it was named the 46 Street Theatre and he had 5 shows open there, from DAMN YANKEES to his original 1975 production of CHICAGO. Heck, even the 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO opened there (as the Richard Rodgers Theatre) before moving over to the Shubert Theatre. Bob Fosse never had any show play the Ambassador Theatre, aside from the Broadway revival using it as its 3rd home.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 5:49pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "If any theatre would merit being renamed the Bob Fosse Theatre is the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Before being changed to the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 1990, it was named the 46 Street Theatre and he had 5 shows open there, from DAMN YANKEES to his original 1975 production of CHICAGO. Heck, even the 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO opened there (as the Richard Rodgers Theatre) before moving over to the Shubert Theatre. Bob Fosse never had any show play the Ambassador Theatre, aside from the Broadway revival using it as its 3rd home."

Didn't Dancin' move there?

Updated On: 12/15/20 at 05:49 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 5:57pm

Didn't Dancin' move there?

I stand corrected: DANCIN’ moved to the Ambassador Theatre from the Broadhurst Theatre.  Still, these are just 2 shows that moved there.  He had 6 that opened at the 46 Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers Theatre).

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 7:10pm

The Ambassador should be renamed the Fosse Theater. Why it hasn't happened yet is dumbfounding. Maybe for Chicago's 25th Anniversary? Hopefully there's a tribute for her in the near future.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 7:24pm

Dame, I usually love your posts, but this one is absurd.  Angela Lansbury, Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Gwen Verdon...Ann Reinking???  And that just covers female musical artists who do not have a theatre named after them.  Expand that list to include both sexes, as well as directors (Bob Fosse included), composers, authors, even the occasional producer (e.g., David Merrick), and -- good as she was -- she was not in their league.  

I always enjoyed Reinking; my favorite performance was actually only a single number in the 1974 show 'Over Here'.  She and John Mineo stopped the show every performance -- I loved it so much I saw it 4 or 5 times in its 10 month run -- in the production number 'Charlie's Place, Saturday Night' (pretty close).  The number was so over the top that one wondered how they did not get injured at every performance.  There was even a moment in the number where you were led to believe that she was really injured, only to discover that it was to get a laugh (and acknowledgment of the incredible dancing).  I also saw her Roxie Hart in both Broadway productions , and thought she was terrific in both (although I do think she was overshadowed by Bebe Neuwirth).  Her Cassie was excellent, her performance in Dancing was great, but her Joan of Arc NSG.  She was best as...a dancer.  For my money, she was as great a Broadway dancer as Broadway has seen in the last 50 - 60 years.

It is hard to believe that a lifelong dancer died in her sleep at 71, which is pretty young these days.  So sad.

But no theatre.  Maybe a plaque if they ever name a theatre after Bob Fosse, which I also doubt will ever happen.

Updated On: 12/17/20 at 07:24 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 12/15/20 at 8:22pm

Jarethan said: "Dame, I usually love your posts, but this one is absurd. Angela Lansbury, Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Gwen Verdon...Ann Reinking??? And that just covers female artists who do not have a theatre named after them. Expand that list to include directors (Bob Fosse included), composers, authors, even the occasional producer (e.g., David Merrick), and -- good as she was -- she was not in their league.

I always enjoyed Reinking; my favorite performance was actually only a single number in the 1974 show 'Over Here'. She and John Mineo stopped the show every performance -- I loved it so much I saw it 4 or 5 times in its 10 month run -- in the production number 'Charlie's Place, Saturday Night' (pretty close). The number was so over the top that one wondered how they did not get injured at every performance. There was even a moment in the number where you were led to believe that she was really injured, only to discover that it was to get a laugh (and acknowledgment of the incredible dancing). I also saw her Roxie Hart in both Broadway productions , and thought she was terrific in both (although I do think she was overshadowed by Bebe Neuwirth). Her Cassie was excellent, her performance in Dancing was great, buther Joan of Arc NSG. She was best as...a dancer. For my money, she was as great a Broadway dancer as Broadway has seen in the last 50 - 60 years.

It is hard to believe that a lifelong dancer died in her sleep at 71, which is pretty young these days. So sad.

But no theatre. Maybe a plaque if they ever name a theatre after Bob Fosse, which I also doubt will ever happen."

Oh I know it’s a little absurd .  But that’s where my heart is at. 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/16/20 at 12:59am

BrodyFosse123 said: "If any theatre would merit being renamed the Bob Fosse Theatre is the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Before being changed to the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 1990, it was named the 46 Street Theatre and he had 5 shows open there, from DAMN YANKEES to his original 1975 production of CHICAGO. Heck, even the 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO opened there (as the Richard Rodgers Theatre) before moving over to the Shubert Theatre. Bob Fosse never had any show play the Ambassador Theatre, aside from the Broadway revival using it as its 3rd home. "

You're not seriously suggesting that Bob Fosse is more deserving to have a theater named after him than Richard Rodgers, are you?

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 12/16/20 at 8:10am

Fosse76 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "If any theatre would merit being renamed the Bob Fosse Theatre is the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Before being changed to the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 1990, it was named the 46 Street Theatre and he had 5 shows open there, from DAMN YANKEES to his original 1975 production of CHICAGO. Heck, even the 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO opened there (as the Richard Rodgers Theatre) before moving over to the Shubert Theatre. Bob Fosse never had any show play the Ambassador Theatre, aside from the Broadway revival using it as its 3rd home. "

You're not seriously suggesting that Bob Fosse is more deserving to have a theater named after him than Richard Rodgers, are you?"

I believe what Brody is saying is that if any theatre was to be renamed, the Richard Rodgers has the strongest connection to Fosse, as many of his shows were put on there. By that same logic, the St. James should have been the Richard Rodgers as Oklahoma "broke ground" there. 

[DAME]

Posted: 12/16/20 at 1:14pm

fashionguru_23 said: "Fosse76 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "If any theatre would merit being renamed the Bob Fosse Theatre is the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Before being changed to the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 1990, it was named the 46 Street Theatre and he had 5 shows open there, from DAMN YANKEES to his original 1975 production of CHICAGO. Heck, even the 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO opened there (as the Richard Rodgers Theatre) before moving over to the Shubert Theatre. Bob Fosse never had any show play the Ambassador Theatre, aside from the Broadway revival using it as its 3rd home. "

You're not seriously suggesting that Bob Fosse is more deserving to have a theater named after him than Richard Rodgers, are you?"

I believe what Brody is saying is that if any theatre was to be renamed, the Richard Rodgers has the strongest connection to Fosse, as many of his shows were put on there. By that same logic, the St. James should have been the Richard Rodgers as Oklahoma "broke ground" there."

I always thought the St James should be the Jerry Herman theater.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/16/20 at 1:32pm

Reinking was more than just a performer. She was an educator who did a lot for up and coming artists. That sets her aside from some other names mentioned in this thread.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 12/16/20 at 1:48pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "Reinking was more than just a performer. She was an educator who did a lot for up and coming artists. That sets her aside from some other names mentioned in this thread."

She was a gatekeeper in the best sense of the word. One with an endless enthusiasm and passion for passing her knowledge on to the generations that followed. I would love to see some sort of scholarship fund started in her name through the Actors Fund or something similar.

[ggersten]

Posted: 12/16/20 at 1:52pm

Jarethan said: "
I always enjoyed Reinking; my favorite performance was actually only a single number in the 1974 show 'Over Here'. She and John Mineo stopped the show every performance -- I loved it so much I saw it 4 or 5 times in its 10 month run -- in the production number 'Charlie's Place, Saturday Night' (pretty close). The number was so over the top that one wondered how they did not get injured at every performance. There was even a moment in the number where you were led to believe that she was really injured, only to discover that it was to get a laugh (and acknowledgment of the incredible dancing)."

I think this is the number you were referring to: (not John Mineo in this clip) (IBDB says Patricia Birch was choreographer)

 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 12/16/20 at 6:06pm

She should definitely have a named dance and/or rehearsal studio named after her.

[daisybeetle]

Posted: 12/16/20 at 9:48pm

ggersten---Thanks!