The Pajama Game

[AlexanderB]

Posted: 1/4/08 at 4:07am

Hello all, I have a question about this musical...well actually the choreography.

How much of it did Bob Fosse choreograph? I have heard that he only worked out Steam Heat, and if I am correct that would make sense, because The Pajama Game was at the start of his career.

With that said, I am confused, because so much of the show seems to be in his style, especially Hernando's Hideaway.

If anybody knows, I'd love some help!

Alexander

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 1/4/08 at 5:13am

Fosse's first fully choreographed show was 1954's "The Pajama Game." Directed by Abbott, the show made Fosse an overnight success and showcased his trademark choreographic style: sexually suggestive forward hip-thrusts; the vaudeville humor of hunched shoulders and turned-in feet; the amazing, mime-like articulation of hands. He often dressed his dancers in black and put them in white gloves and derbies, recalling the image of Charlie Chaplin. He incorporated all the tricks of vaudeville that he had learned -- pratfalls, slights-of-hand, double takes. Fosse received the first of his many Tony Awards for Best Choreography for "The Pajama Game."

[philcrosby]

Posted: 1/4/08 at 8:46am

Yes, it is all Fosse. Jerome Robbins' credit as co-director is largely "in-name" only -- Mr. Abbott brought him on to oversee the untested Fosse's solo work as a choreographer. It also gave Robbins his first official directing credit on Broadway.

[AlexanderB]

Posted: 1/4/08 at 4:09pm

Thank you. The Robbins business was confusing me for a while!