All That Jazz (1979) Presentation by Laura McBride

Adaptation: Does it Apply? adaptation [ ˌ ædəp ˈ te ɪʃ ən ˌ ædæp-]n 1. the act or process of adapting or the state of being adapted; adjustment 2. something that is produced by adapting something else 3. something that is changed or modified to suit new conditions or needs Why does definition #2 fit this film, instead of the traditional definition of: A composition that has been recast into a new form: The play is an adaptation of a short novel.

If not a play, from whence did it come? All That Jazz is a partial fantasy and partial reality based biography on the life of Bob Fosse. It premiered in December of The film is meant to be an “adaptation” of Fosse’s life, career, loves, and struggle with the impending thought of death. All That Jazz is actually a song from his hit play Chicago (1975).

If not a play, what elements are there? It is a film that borrowed its title from a Fosse play, but it is also a film about Gideon (who plays Fosse) and the making of a play. This could be seen on stage as there are limited amounts of space needed (stage, dance scenes, his apartment, hospital). The lighting in the film (particularly the ‘Air Erotica Dance scene’) is warm, intimate, sexy, and personal…although a film, it could easily translate to stage lighting.

If not a play, what elements are there? The scene of script readings His remark to Kate to leave on go on tour “softly and with feeling—don’t go” Vivaldi playing in the background of the bathroom scene almost seems like actual background music—we lose ourselves – until Gideon cuts off the tape The dance/practice session with Gideon and his daughter is very personal and creates a ‘small space’

Life Adapted to Film… Vivaldi, shower, Alka-Seltzer, Visine, Dexadrine, and repeat Notice the scenes of Gideon and Angelique are akin to that of Amadeus’ Saliere and the Priest Costumes are the ‘real deal’ for all formats: stage, play, rehearsals, and film The day to day business of productions is reality A look at lighting?

Did you know? Although the title of the film, “All that Jazz” is only used once in the movie…by Ben Vereen as a euphemism. The title actually came from the hit song from Fosse’s production of Chicago. The loose adaptation of this film, based on Fosse’s life, began to come to life as Fosse grew ill in 1975 (between Lenny and Chicago). Fosse did die of a heart attack and the film is chillingly ominous to those who knew him (girlfriend, wife, daughter).

Fosse

In His Own Words: HJlJYUhttp:// HJlJYU

For Additional Reading: Here are two reviews from the New York Times. One is from December, 1979, and the other is December, 2009…thirty years later. es=9803E2DF1538E732A25753C2A9649 D946890D6CF (1979) es=9803E2DF1538E732A25753C2A9649 D946890D6CF es/27jazz.html?_r=0# (2009) es/27jazz.html?_r=0#

Works Cited: Images supplied by: Pbs.org, normanseeffphotography.com and ioffer.com Definition of ‘Adaptation’ supplied by: Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged© HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003 Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged Video supplied by: YouTube.com

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