Big Deal: Bob Fosse and Dance in the American Musical (Broadway Legacies)

Bob Fosse (1927-1987) is recognized as one of the most significant figures in post-World War II American musical theater. With his first Broadway musical, The Pajama Game in 1954, the "Fosse style" was already fully developed, with its trademark hunched shoulders, turned-in stance, and stuttering, staccato jazz movements. Fosse moved decisively into the role of director with Redhead in 1959 and was a key figure in the rise of the director-choreographer in the Broadway musical. He also became the only star director of musicals of his era--a group that included Jerome Robbins, Gower Champion, Michael Kidd, and Harold Prince--to equal his Broadway success in films. Following his unprecedented triple crown of show business awards in 1973 (an Oscar for Cabaret , Emmy for Liza with a Z , and Tony for Pippin ), Fosse assumed complete control of virtually every element of his projects. But when at last he had achieved complete autonomy, his final efforts, the film Star 80 and the musical Big Deal , written and directed by Fosse, were rejected by audiences and critics. A fascinating look at the evolution of Fosse as choreographer and director, Big Deal: Bob Fosse and Dance in the American Musical considers Fosse's career in the context of changes in the Broadway musical theater over four decades. It traces his early dance years and the importance of mentors George Abbott and Jerome Robbins on his work. It examines how each of the important women in his adult life--all dancers--impacted his career and influenced his dance aesthetic. Finally, the book investigates how his evolution as both artist and individual mirrored the social and political climate of his era and allowed him to comfortably ride a wave of cultural changes. Bob Fosse (1927-87) Is Recognized As One Of The Most Significant Figures In The Post-world War Ii American Musical Theater. With His First Broadway Musical Theater. With His First Broadway Musical, The Pajama Game In 1954, The Fosse Style Was Already Fully Developed, With The Hunched Shoulders, Turned In Stance, And Stuttering, Staccato Jazz Movements. Fosse Moved Decisively Into The Role Of Director With Redhead In 1959 And Was A Key Figure In The Rise Of The Director-choreographer In The Broadway Musical. He Also Became The Only Star Director Of Musicals Of His Era - A Group That Included Jerome Robbins, Gower Champion, Michael Kidd, And Harold Prince - To Equal His Broadway Success In Films. Following His Unprecedented Triple Crown Of Show Business Awards In 1973 (an Oscar® For Cabaret, Emmy® For Liza With A Z, And Tony® For Pippin), Fosse Assumed Complete Control Of Virtually Every Element Of His Projects. But When At Last He Had Achieved Complete Autonomy, His Final Projects, The Film Star 80 And The Musical Big Deal, Both Written And Directed By Fosse, Were Rejected By Audiences And Critics. A Fascinating Look At The Evolution Of Fosse As Choreographer And Director, Big Deal: Bob Fosse And Dance In The American Musical Considers Fosse's Career In The Context Of Changes In The Broadway Musical Theater Over Four Decades. It Traces His Early Dance Years And The Importance Of Early Mentors George Abbott And Jerome Robbins On His Work. It Examines How Each Of The Important Women In His Adult Life - All Dancers - Impacted His Career And Influenced His Dance Aesthetic. Finally, The Book Investigates How His Evolution As Both Artist And Individual Mirrored The Social And Political Climate Of His Era And Allowed Him To Comfortably Ride A Wave Of Cultural Changes. -- From Dust Jacket. Boy Dancer -- Apprenticeship -- Uncle Sam Rag -- Comic Relief -- Rhythm Of Life -- Willkommen -- An Anecdotic Revue -- Keep It Hot -- Dancin' Solo -- Dance Of Death -- Control. Kevin Winkler. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Bob Fosse’s work continues to be the most recognizable of the great choreographers of Broadway’s post–World War II golden age. This book offers deep analysis of Fosse’s development as a choreographer, including the various dance influences he absorbed as a young performer. It examines key Fosse dances and contextualizes them across his career. It looks at how he influenced changes in the musical theater, particularly as a director, and how early mentors George Abbott and Jerome Robbins shaped his theatrical outlook. It compares his work to that of peers like Robbins, Gower Champion, Michael Bennett, and others. The book also examines his choreography for film and looks at how his film experiences influenced his stage work. It also considers the impact of his three marriages—all to dancers—on his career. Finally, the book investigates how Fosse’s evolution as both artist and individual mirrored the social and political climate of his era and allowed him to comfortably ride a wave of cultural changes. Cover 1 Half title 2 Series 3 BIG DEAL 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Foreword by Geoffrey Block 10 Acknowledgments 14 Glossary of Dance Terms 18 Introduction 20 1 Boy Dancer 32 2 Apprenticeship 54 3 Uncle Sam Rag 88 4 Comic Relief 106 5 Rhythm of Life 124 6 Willkommen 158 7 An Anecdotic Revue 182 8 Keep It Hot 204 9 Dancin’ Solo 230 10 Dance of Death 250 11 Control 266 Fosseville 290 Notes 296 Selected Bibliography 338 Index 342 Bob Fosse is one of the most significant figures in the post-World War II American musical theater. Big Deal: Bob Fosse and Dance in the American Musical is a fascinating look at the evolution of Fosse as choreographer and director. It traces is early dance years, the influence of mentors George Abbott and Jerome Robbins, and the impact of his three marriages-all to dancers-on his career.