Fosse [DVD] [2003]

Perhaps this was a show that needed to be seen on the stage. Bob Fosse was, after all, primarily a Broadway legend, although he made several unforgetable films. Or maybe not enough was done to make the transition from stage to DVD. Certainly, at times, the theatre lighting seems to obscure rather than reveal the choreography. And the camera work does not always serve the performance as well as it might. But some of the problem could also be with the basic concept. The numbers are presented in roughly chronological order which is interesting but makes for uncertain pacing. Some of the big numbers from, say, Cabaret or Chicago are simply not there. Most of the numbers are chorus or ensemble pieces, rather than star-based showstoppers. While Fosse's choreography is wonderfully unique, it is not necessary to be so robotic about a lot of it. In the post-show interview, much is made of Fosse's perfectionism and insistence of doing things over and over again. But this company does not seem to have been subjected to the same rigourous rehearsals. As an example - part of the "From This Moment On" number from the film Kiss Me Kate that was originally danced on the screen by Carol Haney and Fosse himself. The dancers in this show perform the steps and movements exactly. But the wit and charm of the piece - and, the star quality - is sadly lacking.

Perhaps the problem is taking the routines out of their context without full costumes and scenery. Of course, the basics of this production wishes to emphasize the choreography. But Fosse was more than a choreographer - he was a director and these numbers were part of shows, not just isolated flashes. Only one of Fosse's later shows - Dancin' - was just a succession of dance numbers, and it worked more successfully than this show. Come to that, Fosse's great film All That Jazz tells us much more about Fosse and dancing than this show.

No doubt many people will love this show and revel in its celebration of one of Broadway's best and most unique choreographer. But, for me, I kept wishing that it had been better. Maybe only Bob Fosse himself could have given the show that something special.

FOSSE records a live-audience performance of the musical, which is a compendium of selections from various other Broadway productions which Bob Fosse choreographed: "Big Deal", "Liza with A Z", "Dancin'", "Sweet Charity", "Kiss Me, Kate", "Damn Yankees", "Pajama Game", "Chicago", "Pippin", "Cabaret", and "All That Jazz". I've never seen any of them performed live on stage, but only the screen versions of DAMN YANKEES (1958) AND CHICAGO (2002). Obviously, I need to get out more.

The musical "Fosse" was, by the way, not choreographed by the great man himself. He's dead. Rather, the dance numbers were re-choreographed by Ann Reinking, Fosse's protege and girlfriend, with the participation of an aging Ben Vereen, one of Fosse's favorite performers. Between acts, the two are interviewed about Bob's style and work ethic.

The only production I've ever seen in which Bob Fosse had a hand was the excellent 1979 film ALL THAT JAZZ, an autobiographical piece which he directed. From it, and the Reinking and Vereen recollections, I gather that Fosse was a hard-driving perfectionist, and infer that the musical "Fosse" would not have come up to his exacting standards. In many instances, the dance numbers seemed, to my inexpert eye, sloppily done. Vereen's presence in several of them, while appealing to the nostalgia of the audience, did him no particular credit. But, that's show biz, folks.

Two songs from "Chicago" were included in the FOSSE program: "Razzle Dazzle" and "Hot Honey Rag". As performed in "Fosse", both were disappointingly anemic versions of their exuberant equivalents in the blockbuster, Oscar-winning film CHICAGO. This perhaps suggests that a new film version of "Damn Yankees" being produced by Miramax, which released CHICAGO, will be well-worth seeing even if the cost of movie tickets doubles.

I'm being wishy-washy and awarding three stars to FOSSE. I suspect it's but a pale reflection of Fosse's original choreography, but I may be wrong. I guess you had to be there.