Harrison Breault

Professor Palmer
Biography Paper #4

Bob Fosse was a trail blazer in the world of dance. He took his
imperfections and channeled them into intricate and vastly original
choreography that changed the face of musical theatre and defined it for a
generation.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, June 23, 1927, Bob was the baby of the family
with five older siblings. Constantly fighting for attention, Bob found that
dancing was an effective activity for such an end. Through this, it was
realized that he was highly adept at picking up movements and considered
something of a prodigy. After his family began sending him to receive
training in dance, he found he particularly enjoyed tap dance. Due to his
work ethic and natural talent, Fosse was professionally dancing by the time
he reached high school, performing in vaudeville and burlesque shows in the
nightclubs of his area. The sexual nature of these places influenced his later
works.
It took Fosse years to be noticed by anyone influential, and for years
suffered two torn marriages while performing in variety shows for television
and stage. He had a few ensemble roles on Broadway, but his big break
was when he was cast in Kiss Me, Kate, the movie by MGM. It was then he

gained the attention of Jerome Robbins and George Abbott because of one of
the short pieces he choreographed in it. Typecasting brought his acting
career to a halt, so he made the reluctant move to Broadway and began that
part of his career by choreographing The Pajama Game. He collaborated on
the project with the famous Jerome Robbins, and used the experience as a
great learning tool. The most well known piece from the show was Steam
Heat, done by the three best jazz dancers at the time, Haney, Buzz Muller,
and Peter Gennaro. The movements were mechanical and sharp. They also
used the lyrics of the piece to indicate movement. Every time the performers
sang fsssss, steam heat, there were be a slow movement before the
quickness began again.
In 1955 he choreographed Damn Yankees. This is where he met Gwen
Verdon, whom he would create works and shows around her as she
influenced his style. Damn Yankees was filmed in 1958. Fosse danced in the
piece Whos Got the Pain?, a funny piece that basically pokes fun at the
pain that comes with diarrhea, but is satirical of the mambo.
Fosse believed that you cant be a good dancer unless youre a good
actor. This stemmed from his use of as ifs to communicate how he would
like a specific dance move to be done. He would say things like now do this
as if youre a pretty girl in the calendar. Without any reference or acting skill
to assist you, the only change that may come is a smile and possibly more
energy, but no actual characterization. Fosse directed Sweet Charity,
choreographed Chicago, Redhead, and finally came to a concept musical

period with Pippin. Fosse wished to have more control over his work, so he
would find simple books (stories for musicals), a soft rock score, and put
them together to form a concept musical. Pippin was so different because
they employed magic (like magic tricks), minstrel performances, and the
Gothic miracle show, along with the use of fog and smoke for entrances and
exits.
Fosses work has so effected the world of music theatre that his dance
style is still taught as something all on its own, as different from other styles
as ballet is from tap. The style remains recognizable and is the only form of
choreography used in the shows that he originally worked on.