Tony Tuesday: FOSSE

Fosse is a musical revue of the choreography of Bob Fosse. It has three acts and was created by Richard Maltby Jr., Chet Walker and Ann Reinking.

Chet Walker was dance captain in many of Fosse’s shows. Workshops began in New York City where numerous dancers were hired to begin the process of putting the choreography together.

A two-month rehearsal period was followed by a month of performances at the North York Performing Arts Theatre (now the Toronto Centre for the Arts), before Fosse ran at the Colonial Theatre, Boston in September 1998. It then toured to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California, where it underwent many changes before reaching Broadway.

The production was cut down from three-hours and ten minutes to two-hours and thirty minutes at the request of the producers.

The original Broadway production finally opened on 14 January 1999 at the Broadhurst Theatre and closed after 1093 performances on 25 August 2001.

It was directed by Richard Maltby Jr. and Ann Reinking, with original choreography by Bob Fosse and additional choreography by Ann Reinking and Chet Walker and dance reconstructions by Lainie Sakakura and Brad Musgrove.  Gwen Verdon took on the role of artistic advisor.

The London production opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre in the West End on 8 February 2000, closing on 6 January 2001.

The costume design was mainly black and white and included the all-important hats that Bob Fosse was famous for.

Musical numbers include ‘Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries’ (from Big Deal), ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’ (from Liza with a Z), ‘Big Spender’ (from Sweet Charity), ‘Rich Man’s Frug’ (from Sweet Charity), ‘Nowadays/The Hot Honey Rag’ (from Chicago), ‘Mein Herr’ (from Cabaret), ‘Razzle Dazzle’ (from Chicago) and ‘Mr. Bojangles’ (from Dancin’).

FACTS:

Music:  Various

Lyrics:  Various

Basis:  Revue of Bob Fosse’s choreography

Theatre: Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway

Run:  14 January 1999 – 25 August 2001

TONYS:

(1999) (WON): Best Musical, Best Orchestrations (Ralph Burns and Douglas Besterman), Best Lighting Design (Andrew Bridge).

(NOMINATED): Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Desmond Richardson and Scott Wise), Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Valarie Pettiford), Best Direction of a Musical (Richard Maltby Jr. and Ann Reinking), Best Costume Design (Santo Loquasto).

DRAMA DESK AWARDS:

(1999) (WON): Outstanding Musical Revue.

(NOMINATED): Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Jane Lanier), Outstanding Director of a Musical (Richard Maltby Jr. and Ann Reinking).

LAURENCE OLIVIER AWARDS:

(2001) (WON): Best Theatre Choreographer (Bob Fosse and Ann Reinking).

(NOMINATED): Best New Musical, Best Actress in a Musical (Nicola Hughes)