AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE {BOB FOSSE, GWEN VERDON} (TV)
Summary
One in this educational public affairs series that traces the origins and development of the American musical theater and examines the careers and contributions of the creative artists who have made the musical theater a native American art form. In an informal workshop setting, New York City high school students meet the composers, lyricists and performers who have shaped the American musical and question them about their work. Choreographer-director Bob Fosse and "Broadway's dynamic dancing-singing-acting star" Gwen Verdon are the guests on this edition, which examines the importance of dance in today's Broadway musical and traces the backgrounds and careers of the husband-and-wife team. Wrightson first introduces the show's guest conductor, the Oscar-winning Broadway and Hollywood conductor Jay Blackton. Highlights include: Verdon recounts her parents' theatrical background, her billing at the age of six as "the fastest tap-dancer in the world," her work as a dancer with choreographer Jack Cole's troupe and as his assistant, coaching Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, and Mitzi Gaynor; Fosse then discusses his father's work in vaudeville, his own beginnings as a dancer at age nine, his involvement in "fixed amateur shows," his stint in the Navy, and his big break in the national company of "Call Mr. Mister"; Verdon chronicles her rise as a Broadway star from her Broadway debut in a flop to the seven-minute ovation she received for "Can Can" in 1953; fielding questions from Wrightson and members of the student audience, Fosse discusses why an outstanding dancer like himself would want to become a choreographer, how the lowly status of the dance director has changed, and how he decides what dancers to use when working on a show; next Verdon sings "Whatever Lola Wants" from "Damn Yankees" and then dances the number with Fosse portraying the character of baseball player Joe Hardy; Fosse explains how he creates a dance number; Wrightson questions Verdon about the influence of the baggy-pants Picasso clowns on her work and Charlie Chaplin's influence on Fosse; Fosse discredits those who take the dancing too seriously, neglecting the entertainment element, and celebrates the sheer joy of dancing; he explains how he tries to make each dance reveal a character or further the story and sets-up Verdon's performance of "The Pony Dance" from the musical "New Girl in Town" in which he joins her for the finale; Fosse discusses his performance of the title character in the 1962 City Center revival of "Pal Joey," dubs himself a "prop dancer," and dances what Verdon calls "The Narcissistic Tango" from "Pal Joey"; Verdon explains how choreographer-directors have a gift for creating movement and the overall visual style; in response to a student's question, Fosse defines the difference between choreography and musical staging, and musical staging and directing; he talks about his collaboration with Verdon and praises her enthusiasm, desire for perfection and endless energy, and her intuition of what he wants; Fosse jokes about how expensive his dance shoes are and sets-up Verdon's performance of the pantomime number "Merely Marvelous" from "Redhead"; a student asks Fosse if he choreographs a dance with a particular dancer in mind; Wrightson asks Fosse what makes him so distinctly "Bob Fosse"; Verdon observes that they've only danced together once professionally and then they recreate that number, "Who's Got the Pain" from "Damn Yankees"; Wrightson compares Fosse and Verdon to the Lunts because of their dedication to their art; Verdon details how she works out each day and claims that the "fun of doing it, makes you forget the pain of learning it"; finally, Fosse and Verdon perform a "then-I-choreographed" dance medley including excerpts from "Hernando's Hideaway," "Steam Heat," "Shoeless Joe," "Mu Cha Cha," "Sunshine Girl," "Herbie Fitch's Lament," and "Brotherhood of Man"; Fosse mentions his upcoming Broadway musical "Little Me"; and Wrightson concludes the program by praising Fosse's choreography and dancing, and hailing Verdon as "a dancing enchantress."
Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Marc Haas and Helen Hotze Haas Foundation, 1998.
Details
- NETWORK: WCBS-TV
- DATE: April 1, 1962 Sunday 11:30 AM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:43:00
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: T:53061
- GENRE: Music; Education/Information; Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Dance; Music, popular (songs, etc.); Musical revues, comedies, etc. - Excerpts
- SERIES RUN: WCBS (New York, NY) - TV series, 1959-1965
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ned Cramer … Producer
- Anthony Farrar … Director
- Jay Blackton … Conductor
- CBS Orchestra, The … Music by
- Earl Wrightson … Host
- Bob Fosse … Guest, Performer
- Gwen Verdon … Guest, Performer