320 likes | 1.23k Views
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
E N D
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
Achievements • Awards • SantJordi Award • National Board of Review • New York Film Critics Circle Awards • Directors Guild of America • David di Donatello Award • Cannes Film Festival • BodilAward • Blue Ribbon Award • Berlin International Film Festival • American Choreography Award • BAFTA Awards • Primetime Emmy Awards • Golden Globes • Academy Awards • Musicals • 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
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
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