BOB FOSSE

Background information Born on June 23, 1927 in Chicago Father: Cyril Mother: Sara Alice Stanton Fosse was the fifth of six children

Early life Born into a star-struck family fosse started dancing at age 9 He began studying dance at a small neighborhood institution but soon moved on to the Frederick Weaver Ballet School In 1940 he formed a night-club team with Charles Gross called the Riff Brothers and began choreographing for amateur productions Joined the navy after high school serving his country in an entertainment unit.

Big breakthrough After serving he returned home working as a performer, with his wife and fellow dancer Mary Allen Niles choreographing all of their dances Started appearing on Broadway and in film. (Never experienced great success in the movies, he returned to his roots) After meeting his second wife, dancer Joan McCracken in 1950 Fosse began studying acting and dancing at the American Theater Wing Spotted by a talent scout for MGM in 1952, Fosse headed to Hollywood to become a musical star. He made his debut as a Broadway dancer and established himself as a professional choreographer with the musical The Pajama Game His breakthrough moment as a choreographer came in 1954 when he was given a chance to work on The Pajama Game

Awards Musicals Achievements The Pajama Game Redhead Big deal Little Me Sweet Charity Chicago Pippin Dancin' Cabaret Damn Yankees New Girl in Town How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Lenny All That Jazz Star 80 Fosse Awards Sant Jordi Award National Board of Review New York Film Critics Circle Awards Directors Guild of America David di Donatello Award Cannes Film Festival Bodil Award Blue Ribbon Award Berlin International Film Festival American Choreography Award BAFTA Awards Primetime Emmy Awards Golden Globes Academy Awards

CHARACTERISICS OF FOSSE’S STYLE Fosse hardly fit the dance ideal so he focused more on rhythm and style to make up for what he lacked physically His choreography is said to be highly stylized, and sexual In most of his choreographed sequences, you will see him or his protégés wearing a hat, gloves, and net stockings, vests and black pants Finger snapping, turned in knees and toes, shoulder rolls, hip rolls and isolations

BOB FOSSE choreography - " The Rich Man's Frug " - YouTube SWEET CHARITY

In 1979 he created the film All That Jazz The end of his career His non-stop work schedule and smoking, drinking, and drugs eventually caught up to him in the form of heart trouble in 1970 In 1979 he created the film All That Jazz Despite cutting back on some of his well-known addictions Fosse died in 1987 from a heart attack at the age of 60 He brought a sexual style to jazz and a new look

QUOTES “Live like you'll die tomorrow, work like you don't need the money, and dance like nobody's watching” “Don't dance for the audience; dance for yourself” “I thank God that I wasn't born perfect”

BIBLIOGRAPHY Youtube.com/fossedances Bio.com/bobfosse Officialboardwaymusic.org Borgraphy.com/bobfosse