Daily Dance: Behind-The-Scenes Of FX's 'Fosse/Verdon'

I have loved FX's mini-series Fosse/Verdon. Sorry to see we reached the finale this Tuesday.

One of the highlights of the series, which chronicles the lives, love and collaborations of director/choreographer Bob Fosse and 4-time Tony Award winner Gwen Verdon, has been the attention to detail in regard to the famous 'Fosse style' of dance presented throughout the series.

FX put together this behind-the-scenes look at how the choreography achieved such authenticity, in great part to members of the Verdon Fosse Legacy Project.

The project is made of of dancers who worked closely with Fosse on his Broadway productions and so have first hand knowledge of what the true, original intent of iconic steps and dance numbers was.

In the video below, Dana Moore, Lloyd Culbreath, and Valarie Pettiford talk about their work and experiences with the master himself.

I've worked with Dana, Lloyd and Valarie, and they definitely are the keepers of the flame.

When I went into the Broadway production of Chicago the Musical, it truly was like learning a new language. Dancing 'Fosse style' means mastering a vocabulary all unto itself.

Over the years, I've staged four productions of Chicago using the same approach that Ann Reinking did of creating my own version but utilizing the vocabulary, and there's no cheating on that.

Trust and believe, Fosse dancers spot bad 'imitation Fosse' from a mile away.

Check out the video below, and bravo to the folks who gave us this terrific series.

New Trailer For Upcoming 'Fosse/Verdon' Miniseries

I. Can. Not. Wait.

FX dropped a new trailer for the upcoming Fosse/Verdon - a mini-series chronicling the oh-so-complicated relationship between director/choreographer Bob Fosse and four-time Tony Award winner Gwen Verdon.

Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams star in the series.

Bob Fosse is a visionary filmmaker and one of theater’s most influential choreographers and directors.

Gwen Verdon is the greatest Broadway dancer of all time.

Fosse/Verdon will tell the story of these two brilliant, complicated individuals – the love they shared, the art they created, and the price they paid in the pursuit of greatness.

There’s a price to pursuing perfection.

Premieres April 9 on FX.

Here's the previously released teaser which is so 'Fosse' I had to sit down for a minute.

Video Tease: Upcoming Mini-Series 'Fosse/Verdon'

The new teaser for the upcoming FX mini-series Fosse/Verdon is perfection.

Starring Sam Rockwell as Broadway innovator/director/choreographer Bob Fosse, and Michelle Williams as his muse/wife, Gwen Verdon, the series will "tell the story of these two brilliant, complicated individuals — the love they shared, the art they created, and the price they paid in the pursuit of greatness.”

Anyone who is a fan of the brilliant Broadway power couple will recognize the iconic style in the rapid-fire series of images including finger snaps, toe-taps, bowler hats, fishnet stockings, red/blue mood light and, yes, jazz hands.

The project has the blessing of Nicole Fosse, the daughter of Fosse and Verdon, who will also act as an executive producer on the series.

“My mother and father have one of the greatest love stories ever known,” Nicole Fosse said in a statement. “They were extremely complex people with an indestructible bond, loyalty and trust that endured both fantasy and reality. Finally, we have a creative team with the talent and wisdom to tell the story.”

In addition to being a longtime fan, as many readers know, I was a cast member of the Broadway revival of Chicago the Musical. The experience led me to study and revere (even more!) the genius these two brought to the Broadway stage.

Watch below. Look for the series to debut in April. I can't wait.

Daily Dance: Bob Fosse, Debbie Reynolds, Bobby Van & Barbara Ruick "You Can't Do Wrong Doin' Right"

Bob Fosse, Barbara Ruick, Bobby Van and Debbie Reynolds perform "You Can't Do Wrong Doin' Right" from The Affairs of Dobie Gillis, 1953.

Choreographer: Alex Romero

So good :)

DVD: "All That Jazz"

Criterion is releasing a new, restored BLU-RAY/DVD release of Bob Fosse's 1979 musical masterpiece, All That Jazz.

Roy Scheider plays Fosse alter-ego "Joe Gideon," a sex and drugs prone workaholic balancing career (a new Broadway show while editing a new movie) with personal life.  P.s. - the personal life sees less success than the professional.

Criterion’s amazing 4K restoration includes several new features:

• New 4K digital restoration, with 3.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• Audio commentary featuring editor Alan Heim
• Selected-scene audio commentary by actor Roy Scheider
• New interviews with Heim and Fosse biographer Sam Wasson
• New conversation between actors Ann Reinking and Erzsebet Foldi
• Episode of the talk show Tomorrow from 1980, featuring director Bob Fosse and choreographer Agnes de Mille
• Interviews with Fosse from 1981 and 1986
• On-set footage
• Portrait of a Choreographer, a 2007 documentary on Fosse
• The Soundtrack: Perverting the Standards, a 2007 documentary about the film’s music
• Interview with George Benson from 2007, about his song “On Broadway,” which opens the film
• PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Hilton Als

Watch the original movie trailer below - Click here to order.

Film: "All That Jazz"

I arrived in NYC in the later years of Bob Fosse's career.

But I did audition for him once. And it was just like this.

On a Broadway stage, hundreds of people. And he was a gentleman.