Fosse [2002] [2003]

Dancer, choreographer, director, legend. Bob Fosse’s sexy style and unique vision revolutionised the musical theatre. He put Dancin’ up in lights, gave us Sweet Charity and made Chicago the most famous landmark in New York. His films, from Cabaret to All That Jazz, were the last of the great movie musicals. Now his ground-breaking work is in the spotlight again, recreated by long-time Fosse stars Gwen Verdon and Ann Reinking, as extraordinary dancers and singers give us the dance of a lifetime in Fosse.
Fosse was the Broadway hit of 1999, celebrating the genius of legendary film-and-stage choreographer Bob Fosse in a rich, fiery homage with the very best of his work. This performance, recorded towards the end of a run that lasted more than two years, captures perfectly the energy and commitment of the dancers in bringing the extraordinary shapes and angles of his choreography to life.
The presence of Fosse’s protégés, cochoreographer Ann Reinking and that most fluid of dancers Ben Vereen, ensures that the spirit and dedication at the heart of Fosse’s work are preserved intact. This is no opportunist “best-of” compilation. The numbers merge seamlessly into a glorious patchwork of movements and moods. Fosse took up the reigns of musical theatre dance from Astaire, Kelly and Balanchine and, thanks to the changing times and material–Sweet Charity, Chicago and Cabaret loom large–was able to inject a new, raw sexuality which these dancers seize with relish.
It’s a resolutely ensemble piece. Musical buffs may be disappointed by the lack of big solo numbers–Vereen’s poignant “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries” aside–but in many ways this is also a long overdue celebration of the chorus line. Fosse treated his dancers as individuals, each with a contribution to make. That attention to detail makes for moments of terrific intensity amongst the full-blooded company numbers.
On the DVD: Fosse makes a lavish televisual production, presented in 16:9 format–great for covering the width of the stage–and a choice of stereo or surround-sound audio. Some multiple viewing angles would have been nice, if only to get a different perspective on the complex moves. The only extra is a short interview with Ann Reinking, Ben Vereen and Dana Moore in which all three testify to the importance of Fosse both to their own careers and as an all-time giant talent of musical theatre. –Piers Ford