Adolf Philipp and the German American Musical Comedy

Author(s):  
John Koegel
1984 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 502-503
Author(s):  
H. Philip Zeigler
Keyword(s):  

Author(s):  
Kevin Winkler

This chapter looks at Bob Fosse’s most ambitious film, the autobiographical All That Jazz. All That Jazz follows Joe Gideon, a director and choreographer very much like Fosse who is at a personal and professional crossroads as he prepares to direct a Broadway musical much like Chicago while simultaneously editing a film that looks a lot like Lenny. Following graphic footage of open-heart surgery and a series of metaphoric musical comedy turns by the women in his life, All That Jazz concludes with Gideon presiding over a combined funeral and wake for himself: a glamorous, high-energy floor show to end all floor shows. Here Fosse took the movie musical further than anyone had dared—not only in subject matter, but also in structure and pacing. Fosse tells this “putting on a show” musical in nonlinear fashion, with surprising juxtapositions, fragments, and time leaps.


Author(s):  
Kevin Winkler
Keyword(s):  

This chapter focuses on Fosse’s show Dancin’, an evening of numbers performed to preexisting music from a variety of composers. Having dismissed all collaborators and untethered to a narrative, Fosse was free to create dances around his favorite music, which included classical, swing, rock, and pop. Dancin’ had moments of startling eroticism, and his ability to sculpt stage pictures with bodies, space, and light remained unmatched. But there were also cringeworthy attempts at comedy and moments of maudlin sentimentality. By now, Fosse’s choreographic style had shifted from traditional musical comedy with touches of antic vaudeville to a more lyrical, self-serious approach that he could not always support. A sameness crept into much of his work, with similar steps, patterns, and groupings carried over from one show or film to another. Choreographing for character seemed no longer important, and all his dancers appeared to be performing the role of Bob Fosse.


2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 102-102
Author(s):  
Paul Rudolph Fessler

1992 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Richard Hornby
Keyword(s):  

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