To fumble as a choreographer on “Fosse/Verdon,” FX’s sterling limited series depicting the life, love and legacy of Bob Fosse and Gwen Vernon, would be failing while standing in the brightest of spotlights, exposed to the most savage of television, film, dance, and theater critics.
To succeed would be to risk not being noticed at all.
That was the challenge entered into by three-time Tony winner and “Fosse/Verdon” co-producer Andy Blankenbuehler (“Hamilton”), who painstakingly choreographed the series’ first three episodes, and then taken up by actress and Broadway veteran Susan Misner (“The Americans”) who stepped in when Blankenbuehler heeded the (cat) call and departed the production to head up choreography on Tom Hooper’s “Cats.”
As it happened, Misner was already signed on to “Fosse/Verdon,” portraying Fosse’s first wife, actress Joan McCracken, when she got a call from Blankenbuehler about expanding her responsibilities on the series.
“[Andy] called...
To succeed would be to risk not being noticed at all.
That was the challenge entered into by three-time Tony winner and “Fosse/Verdon” co-producer Andy Blankenbuehler (“Hamilton”), who painstakingly choreographed the series’ first three episodes, and then taken up by actress and Broadway veteran Susan Misner (“The Americans”) who stepped in when Blankenbuehler heeded the (cat) call and departed the production to head up choreography on Tom Hooper’s “Cats.”
As it happened, Misner was already signed on to “Fosse/Verdon,” portraying Fosse’s first wife, actress Joan McCracken, when she got a call from Blankenbuehler about expanding her responsibilities on the series.
“[Andy] called...
- 8/5/2019
- by Libby Hill
- Indiewire
Chicago – The final episode of the FX Network’s miniseries “Fosse/Vernon” airs on Tuesday, May 28th, 2019, concluding one of the more fascinating explorations of a historic show business couple. Bob Fosse and Gwen Vernon were titans of Broadway, and one of Bf’s collaborators was Stephen Schwartz, the composer of Pippin, which Fosse directed and choreographed.
Stephen Schwartz was a young wunderkind when he collided with Bob Fosse. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon in 1968 he worked in the music business, and in 1971 he wrote the music and lyrics for the classic “Godspell” musical. For his next project, he re-explored a college project named “Pippin, Pippin.” a musical fantasy based the 8th Century Prince Pepin/King Charlemagne legend. Retitled “Pippin,” the musical was assigned to director/choreographer Bob Fosse, who helped Schwartz (with a book by Roger O. Hirson) create a smash hit. The original Broadway run was 1,944 performances from...
Stephen Schwartz was a young wunderkind when he collided with Bob Fosse. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon in 1968 he worked in the music business, and in 1971 he wrote the music and lyrics for the classic “Godspell” musical. For his next project, he re-explored a college project named “Pippin, Pippin.” a musical fantasy based the 8th Century Prince Pepin/King Charlemagne legend. Retitled “Pippin,” the musical was assigned to director/choreographer Bob Fosse, who helped Schwartz (with a book by Roger O. Hirson) create a smash hit. The original Broadway run was 1,944 performances from...
- 5/28/2019
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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