Other works for
Gwen Verdon More at IMDbPro »

Other works

(1948- 2001). Active on Broadway in the following productions:

(1955). Stage Play: Damn Yankees. Musical comedy. Written by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, from Wallop's novel "The Year of the Yankees." Music by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop. From the novel "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant" by Douglass Wallop. Musical Director: Hal Hastings. Music orchestrated by Don Walker. Dance arrangements by Roger Adams. Dances and Musical Numbers Staged by Bob Fosse. Directed by George Abbott. 46th Street Theater (moved to The Adelphi Theatre (6 May 1957- close): 5 May 1955 (1019 performances). Cast: Stephen Douglass (as "Joe Hardy"), Gwen Verdon (as "Lola "), Ray Walston (as "Applegate"), Rae Allen (as "Gloria Thorpe"), Richard Bishop (as "Welch"), Shannon Bolin (as "Meg Boyd"), Frank Bouley (as "Singer"), Russ Brown (as "Van Buren"), Fred Bryan, Betty Carr (as "Dancer"), Ronn Cummins, Cherry Davis (as "Teen-Ager/Singer"), Robert Evans (as "Dancer"), Timmy Everett (as "Dancer"), Patricia Ferrier (as "Dancer"), Nathaniel Frey (as "Smokey"), Jeanne Grant (as "Singer"), Marlyn Greer (as "Dancer"), Janet Hayes (as "Singer"), Del Horstmann (as "Lynch/Commissioner/Singer"), Elizabeth Howell (as "Doris"), Janie Janvier (as "Miss Weston/Singer"), William Joyce (as "Dancer"), Harvey Jung (as "Dancer"), Joan Keenan (as "Singer"), Marie Kolin (as "Dancer"), James Komack (as "Rocky") [credited as Jimmie Komack], Al Lanti (as "Henry/Dancer"), Albert Linville (as "Vernon/Postmaster/Singer"), Suzanne Lovell (as "Singer"), Ralph Lowe (as "Singer"), George Marcy (as "Guard/Dancer"), Julia Marlowe, Svetlana McLee, Eddie Phillips, Jackie Scholle, Robert Shafer (as "Joe Boyd"), Jean Stapleton (as "Sister"), Ralph Strane, Mark Ward. Produced by Frederick Brisson, Robert E. Griffith and Harold Prince. Produced in association with Albert B. Taylor. Note: Filmed as Damn Yankees! (1958).

Chicago (1975). Musical comedy. Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Music by John Kander. Lyrics by Fred Ebb. Based on the play "Chicago" by Maurine Dallas Watkins. Musical Director: Stanley Lebowsky. Music orchestrated by Ralph Burns. Dance arrangements by Peter Howard. Choreographed by Bob Fosse. Assistant Choreographer: Tony Stevens. Scenic Design by Tony Walton. Costume Design by Patricia Zipprodt. Lighting Design by Jules Fisher. Sound Design by Abe Jacob. Hair Design by Romaine Green. Assistant Scenic Design: John Kasarda. Directed by Bob Fosse. 46th Street Theatre: 3 Jun 1975- 27 Aug 1977 (936 performances + 24 previews that began on 12 May 1975). Cast: Jerry Orbach (as "Billy Flynn"), Chita Rivera (as "Velma Kelly"), Gwen Verdon (as "Roxie Hart"), Barney Martin (as "Amos Hart"), Mary McCarty (as "Matron"), M. O'Haughey (as "Mary Sunshine"), Candy Brown (as "June"), Hank Brunjes (as "Dance Alternate"), Christopher Chadman (as "Fred Casely"), Cheryl Clark (as "Liz"), Graciela Daniele (as "Hunyak"), Gene Foote (as "Aaron"), Gary Gendell (as "Court Clerk"), Richard Korthaze (as "Sergeant Fogarty"), Michon Peacock (as "Annie"), Charlene Ryan (as "Go-To-Hell-Kitty"), Ron Schwinn (as "Judge"), Paul Solen (as "Harry"), Pamela Sousa (as "Mona"), Monica Tiller (as "Dance Alternate"), Michael Vita (as "Martin Harrison"). Standbys: Marsha Bagwell (as "Mary Sunshine/Matron"), Lenora Nemetz (as "Roxie Hart"). Understudies: Richard Korthaze (as "Amos Hart"), Michon Peacock (as "Velma Kelly"). Replacement actors during production run: Mace Barrett, Joan Bell (as "Annie") [from 10 May 1976- ?], Georgia Creighton (as "Matron") [from Jul 1977- ?], Rex Everhart (as "Amos Hart") [from 20 Feb 1976- ?], Fern Fitzgerald (as "Go-To-Hell-Kitty"), Richard Korthaze (as "Amos Hart") [from Aug 1977- ?], Debra Lyman (as "Mona"), Peter Marinos (as "Mary Sunshine") [from 17 May 1976- ?], Liza Minnelli (as "Roxie Hart"), [from 8 Aug 1975- 13 Sep 1975], Lenora Nemetz (as "Roxie Hart") [from 30 Jul 1975- ?], (and as "Velma Kelly") [from 28 Jul 1976- ?], Gena Ramsel (as "Go-To-Hell-Kitty"), Alaina Reed (as "Matron") [from 10 Jan 1977- 13 Jul 1977], Ann Reinking (as "Roxie Hart") [from 7 Feb 1977- ?], Gwen Verdon (as "Roxie Hart") [from 15 Sep 1975- ?]. Standbys: Elaine Cancilla (as "Velma Kelly"), Steve Elmore (as "Billy Flynn"), Peter Marinos (as "Mary Sunshine"), Candace Tovar (as "Roxie Hart"). Produced by Robert Fryer and James Cresson. Produced in association with Martin Richards, Joseph Harris and Ira Bernstein. Note: Filmed as Chicago (2002).

Verdon was the toast of Broadway for many years, thanks to her work in such musicals as "Can-Can, " "Damn Yankees, " "Redhead" and "Sweet Charity." One of Broadway's most celebrated dancers.

Gwen originated and immortalized, on the Broadway stage, the roles of some of the most popular musical theatre characters. Between the years of 1952 and 1975, Gwen brought to us: Lola in "Damn Yankees"; Anna Christie in "New Girl In Town"; Essie in "Redhead"; Charity Hope Valentine in "Sweet Charity"; Roxie Hart in "Chicago"; Claudine in Cole Porter's "Can-Can"

Children! Children! (1972). Thriller. Written by Jack Horrigan. Scenic Design by Jo Mielziner. Lighting Design by Jo Mielziner. Costume Design by Ann Roth. Hair Design by Romaine Greene. Assistant to Miss Roth: Robert Pusilo. Ritz Theatre: 7 Mar 1972 (1 performance + 13 previews that began on 24 Feb 1972). Cast: Gwen Verdon (as "Helen Giles"), Shawn Campbell, Johnny Doran, Elizabeth Hubbard, Elaine Hyman, Ariane Munker, Dennis Patrick (as "Philip Collins") [final Broadway role], Josef Sommer. Produced by Arthur Whitelaw and Seth Harrison. Produced in association with Ben Gerard.

Redhead (1959). Musical comedy. Book by Herbert Fields, Dorothy Fields, Sidney Sheldon and David Shaw. Music by Albert Hague. Lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Music orchestrated by Philip J. Lang and Robert Russell Bennett. Musical Director: Jay Blackton. Vocal arrangements by Jay Blackton. Dance arrangements by Roger Adams. Directed and Choreographed by Bob Fosse. 46th Street Theatre: 5 Feb 1959- 19 Mar 1960 (452 performances). Cast: Gwen Verdon (as "Essie Whimple"), Richard Kiley (as "Tom Baxter"), John Aristedes (as "Dancer"), Margery Beddow, Kevin Carlisle, Shirley de Burgh, Mame Dennis, Bob Dixon, Joan Fagan, Clifford Fearl, Pat Ferrier, Lydia Fredericks, David Gold, Bette Graham, Dee Harless, Harvey Hohnecker, Patrick Horgan, Reby Howells, Janie Janvier, Patti Karr, Elizabeth Kerr, Elaine King, Kasimir Kokich, Lee Krieger, John Lankston, Cynthia Latham, William LeMassena, Buzz Miller, Larry Mitchell, Dale Moreda, Joy Nichols, Stan Page, Noel Parenti, Liane Plane, Doris Rich, Shev Rodgers, Alton Ruff, Kelley Stephens, Leonard Stone (as "George Poppett"), Ralph Sumpter, Dean Taliaferro. Produced by Robert Fryer and Lawrence Carr. Associate Producer: Theatrical Interests Plan, Inc.

(1957). Stage Play: New Girl In Town. Musical. Book written by George Abbott. Based on the 1921 Eugene O'Neill play "Anna Christie." Choreographed by Bob Fosse. Directed by George Abbott. 46th Street Theatre: 14 May 1957- 24 May 1958 (431 performances). Cast: Gwen Verdon (as "Anna"), Thelma Ritter (as "Marthy"), Del Anderson (as "Oscar/Singer"), John Aristides (as "Masher/Dancer"), Robert Bakanic (as "Dancer"), Lulu Bates (as "Lily"), Claiborne Cary (as "Dancer"), Edgar Daniels (as "Henry/Singer"), Drusilla Davis (as "Flo/Dancer"), Mark Dawson (as "Bartender"), Dorothy Dushock (as "Dancer"), Patricia Ferrier (as "Moll/Dancer"), Herb Fields (as "Reporter/Singer"), John Ford (as "Krimp/Singer"), Stokey Gray (as "Smith/Singer"), H.F. Green (as "Seaman/Politician/Singer"), Jean Handzlik (as "Mrs. Hammacher/Singer"), Harvey Hohnecker (as "Dancer"), Deedy Irwin (as "Violet/Singer"), Harvey Jung (as "Dancer"), Jeff Killion (as "Johnson/Singer"), Marie Kolin (as "Dancer"), Mara Landi (as "Pearl/Singer"), Ripple Lewis (as "Dowling/Singer"), Mara Lynn (as "Katie/Dancer"), Ethel Martin (as "Dancer"), Ray Mason (as "Svenson/Singer"), Dale Moreda (as "Dancer"), Rita Noble (as "Bartender/Singer/Ivy"), John Nola (as "Dancer"), Ginny Perlowin (as "Rose/Singer"), Joan Petlack (as "Dancer"), Eddie Phillips (as "Pete/Dancer"), Louis Polacek (as "Waiter/Singer"), Cameron Prud'homme (as "Chris"), Michael Quinn (as "Alderman/Singer"), Alton Ruff (as "Dancer"), Dorothy Stinnette (as "Mrs. Smith/Singer"), George Wallace (as "Mat"), Ann Williams (as "Mrs. Dowling/Singer"). Produced by Frederick Brisson, Robert E. Griffith and Harold Prince. Note: Thelma Ritter and Gwen both won Tony Awards for Best Actress.

(1950). Stage Play: Alive and Kicking. Musical revue. Music by Hal Borne, Irma Jurist, Sammy Fain, Hoagy Carmichael and Harold J. Rome. Additional music by Sonny Burke, Leo Schumer and Ray Golden. Dance music by Billy Kyle. Sketches by Ray Golden, I.A.L. Diamond, Henry Morgan, Jerome Chodorov, Joseph Stein, Will Glickman and Michael Stuart. "Abou Ben Adhem" adapted from a poem by Leigh Hunt. Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster, Ray Golden and Harold Rome. Additional lyrics by Leonard Gershe, Sid Kuller and Michael Stuart. Musical Director: Lehman Engel. Vocal arrangements by Lehman Engel. Vocal arrangements for "Alive and Kicking" by George Bassman. Music orchestrated by George Bassman. Additional numbers by Lucille Kallen, Max Liebman and Mickey Deems [earliest Broadway credit]. Choreographed by Jack Cole. Scenic Design by Raoul Pène Du Bois. Costume Design by 'Raoul Pène Du Bois'. Lighting Design by Mason Arvold. Directed by Robert H. Gordon. Winter Garden Theatre: 17 Jan 1950- 25 Feb 1950 (46 performances). Cast: Rae Abruzzo (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"Cry, Baby" Performer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/"Propinquity" Singer/"One Two Three" Performer"), Jeanne Bal (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer"), Margaret Baxter (as ""Alive and Kicking" Singer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer"), George Bockman (as "Alive and Kicking" Dancer/"Abou Ben Adhem" Dancer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"Propinquity" Dancer/"One Two Three" Dancer"), June Brady (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"I Didn't Want Him" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/Announcer/Hippocrates Hits the Jackpot"), David Burns (as "Army/Pals of the Pentagon/Dr. Allen Drawbridge/Meet the Authors/Dr. Frisbee/Hippocrates Hits the Jackpot"), Patricia Bybell (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"A World of Strangers" Performer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/"One Two Three" Performer"), Velerie Camille (as "Alive and Kicking" Dancer/"Abou Ben Adhem" Dancer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"Propinquity" Dancer/"One Two Three" Dancer"), Jack Cassidy (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/Trio/Abou Ben Adhem/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/First Man/Hippocrates Hits the Jackpot/"Propinquity" Singer"), Madelaine Chambers (as "Alive and Kicking"/Madrigal Trio/What a Delightful Day/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/"Propinquity" Singer"), Sylvia Chaney (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer"), Jack Cole (as "I Didn't Want Him" Dancer/Abou/Abou Ben Adhem/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"Propinquity" Dancer/"Cole Scuttle Blues" Dancer"), Bryn Corey (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer"), Kenneth Davis (as "Alive and Kicking" Dancer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"Propinquity" Dancer/"One Two Three" Dancer"), Ruth Davis (as "Alive and Kicking" Dancer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"Propinquity" Dancer/"One Two Three" Dancer"), Fay DeWitt (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/Second Nurse/Hippocrates Hits the Jackpot"), Mickey Deems (as "Airforce/Pals of the Pentagon/"My Day of Rest" Performer/Patient/Hippocrates Hits the Jackpot/Mike/Once Upon a Time"), Jessie Elliott (as "Agnes/I'm All Yours"), Jack Gilford (as "Madrigal Trio/What a Delightful Day/Barney/I Never Felt Better/Floogelman/Once Upon a Time"), Marie Groscup (as "Angel/Abou Ben Adhem/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"Propinquity" Dancer/"One Two Three" Dancer/"Cole Scuttle Blues" Dancer"), Jay Harnick (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer"), Jean Harris (as "Alive and Kicking" Dancer/"Abou Ben Adhem" Dancer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"One Two Three" Dancer"), Marc Hertsens (as "Alive and Kicking" Dancer/"Abou Ben Adhem" Dancer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"Propinquity" Dancer/"One Two Three" Dancer"), Samuel N. Kirkham (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/Waiter/Meet the Authors/Trio/Abou Ben Adhem/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/"Propinquity" Singer"), Louise Kirtland (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/Chairwoman/Meet the Authors/Wife/I Never Felt Better/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/Woman/Hippocrates Hits the Jackpot"), Graham Lee (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/"Propinquity" Singer/"One Two Three" Performer"), Lenore Lonergan (as "Viola Tremaine/Meet the Authors/"Cry, Baby" Performer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Performer/Miss Honeysuckle/Once Upon a Time/"French With Tears" Performer"), Eve Lynn (as "Secretary/Pals of the Pentagon/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer"), Arthur Maxwell (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"A World of Strangers" Performer/"Building Going Up" Performer"), Jack Miller (as "Alive and Kicking" Dancer/"Abou Ben Adhem" Dancer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"Propinquity" Dancer/"One Two Three" Dancer"), Margery Oldroyd (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/Madrigal Trio/What a Delightful Day/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/"Propinquity" Singer"), Paul Olson (as "Alive and Kicking" Dancer/"Abou Ben Adhem" Dancer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"Propinquity" Dancer/"One Two Three" Dancer "), Carl Reiner (as "Navy/Pals of the Pentagon/"What a Delightful Day" Introduction/Dr. Hiram Flick/Meet the Authors/Charlie/I Never Felt Better/Dr. Walsh/Hippocrates Hits the Jackpot/Director/Once Upon a Time Performer"), Jack Russell (as "Undersecretary/Pals of the Pentagon/Sergeant/Abou Ben Adhem/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/"Propinquity" Performer"), Laurel Shelby (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"Cry, Baby" Performer/"Building Going Up" Singer/First Nurse/Hippocrates Hits the Jackpot"), Dolores Starr (as "The Girl/Alive and Kicking/"Abou Ben Adhem" Dancer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"Propinquity" Dancer/"One Two Three" Dancer"), Ray Stephens (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/Trio/Abou Ben Adhem/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/Anesthetist/Hippocrates Hits the Jackpot"), Rex Thompson (as "Boy/Abou Ben Adhem/"Building Going Up" Singer"), Bobby Van (as "Milkman/Alive and Kicking/"One Word Led to Another" Performer/George/I'm All Yours"), Gwen Verdon (as "I Didn't Want Him" Dancer/Abou's Wife/Abou Ben Adhem/"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer/"Propinquity" Dancer/"One Two Three" Dancer/"Cole Scuttle Blues" Dancer"), Earl Williams (as "Alive and Kicking" Singer/"Love It Hurts So Good" Singer/"Building Going Up" Singer/"One Two Three" Performer"). Produced by William R. Katzell and Ray Golden.

(1966). Stage Play: Sweet Charity. Musical comedy. Book by Neil Simon. Music by Cy Coleman. Lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Based on the screenplay "Nights of Cabiria" by Federico Fellini. Musical Director: Fred Werner. Dance arrangements by Fred Werner. Music orchestrated by Ralph Burns. Scenic Design by Robert Randolph. Costume Design by Irene Sharaff. Choreographed by Bob Fosse. Directed by Bob Fosse. Palace Theatre: 29 Jan 1966- 15 Jul 1967 (608 performances + 10 previews that began on 18 Jan 1966). Cast: Gwen Verdon (as "Charity"), Ruth Buzzi (as "Woman with Hat/Receptionist/Good Fairy"), Elaine Cancilla (as "Married Couple 'woman'/Old Maid/Ensemble"), Suzanne Charny (as "Ensemble"), Michael Davis (as "Dark Glasses/Mike/Ensemble"), Betsy Dickerson (as "Ensemble"), Kathryn Doby (as "Ensemble"), Alice Evans (as "Ensemble"), Gene Foote (as "Ice Cream Vendor/Ensemble"), Helen Gallagher (as "Nickie"), Eddie Gasper (as "Ballplayer/Brother Eddie/Ensemble"), David Gold (as "Second Cop/Barney/Ensemble"), Patrick Heim (as "Ensemble"), I.W. Klein (as "Doorman/Ensemble"), Mary Louise (as "Ensemble"), James Luisi (as "Vittorio Vidal"), John McMartin (as "Oscar"), Carmen Morales (as "Carmen/Ensemble"), Thelma Oliver (as "Helene"), Harold Pierson (as "Ballplayer/Brother Harold/Policeman/Ensemble"), Lee Roy Reams (as "Young Spanish Man/Ensemble"), Sharon Ritchie (as "Ursula"), Charlene Ryan (as "Ensemble"), Barbara Sharma (as "Career Girl/Rosie"), John Sharpe (as "Football Player/Ensemble"), Arnold Soboloff (as "Daddy Johann Sebastian Brubeck"), Christine Stewart (as "Ensemble"), John Stratton (as "Bystander/Waiter"), Bud Vest (as "Married Couple 'man'/Manfred/Ensemble"), John Wheeler (as "First Cop/Herman"). Understudies: Elaine Cancilla (as "Nickie"), Suzanne Charny (as "Career Girl/Rosie"), Michael Davis (as "Vittorio Vidal"), Helen Gallagher (as "Charity"), Charlene Ryan (as "Ursula"), Barbara Sharma (as "Helene"), John Stratton (as "Oscar"). Replacement actors: Ray Chabeau (as "Ensemble/Football Player/Brother Ray"), Michael Davis (as "Man with Dog"), Frank DeSal (as "Ensemble"), Alice Evans (as "Good Fairy/Receptionist/Woman with Hat"), Ronn Forella (as "Ensemble/Ice Cream Vendor"), Helen Gallagher (as "Charity"), Mickey Gunnersen (as "Ensemble"), Curtis Hood (as "Ballplayer/Ensemble"), Carolyn Kirsch (as "Ensemble/Rosie"), Lynn Gay Lorino (as "Ensemble/Shopper"), Annie McGreevey (as "Ensemble") [Broadway debut], Dennis Nahat (as "Ensemble/Young Spanish Man"), Louise Quick (as "Ensemble"), Ilona Simon (as "Ensemble"), Michael Vita (as "Ensemble/Manfred/Married Couple 'Man'"), Marie Wallace (as "Ursula") [from 14 Feb 1966- ?]. Understudies: David Gold (as "Daddy Johann Sebastian Brubeck"), Lynn Gay Lorino (as "Ursula"), Louise Quick (as "Rosie"), Charlene Ryan (as "Helene"), Michael Vita (as "Vittorio Vidal"). Produced by Fryer, Carr & Harris Inc. Associate Producer: John Bowab. Note: Filmed by Universal Pictures as Sweet Charity (1969).

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