We have a centenary to celebrate today, dear reader - that of one of the greatest Broadway dancers and choreographers of the latter half of the 20th century, former Mrs Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon!
She - in collaboration with Bob - was the powerhouse behind some of the greatest and most memorable musicals, including Sweet Charity, Chicago (in both of which she starred on Broadway), Cabaret, Damn Yankees and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (for which she coached Marilyn and Jane to create two of the silver screen's greatest vamps)!
On this Tacky Music Monday, however, by way of a tribute - here she is in a most bizarre routine indeed:
Have a good week, dears.
Gwyneth Evelyn “Gwen” Verdon (13th January 1925 – 18th October 2000)
I remember that dance routine from the Carol Burnett Show. I thought it was bizarre back then, too. But I loved Gwen Verdon and I still love the butts and legs of those dancers
ReplyDeleteI don't think we ever got the Carol Burnett Show here. It is hallucinogenic... Jx
DeleteAn example of the comedy on the show: https://youtu.be/3qqE_WmagjY?si=2T8XB5iHmo-q5ABP
DeleteA great outtake! Jx
DeleteOf it's time! And sort of wonderful! Love those musical instruments.
ReplyDeleteSx
It is very much "of that era" - Banana Splits, Yellow Submarine, HR Pufnstuf and all that sort of thing. Jx
DeleteHow it possible I didn't know this?????????
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why we come to Jon's blog.
DeleteThanks for the compliment!
DeleteBlame Thombeau. Jx
I Love Gwen Verdon but am left speechless after that video.
ReplyDeleteThere are few words that could adequately capture it, tbh. Jx
DeleteShe was an incredible dancer and choreographer! Together with Fosse formed a stellar team that still impacts dance. Thanks for the video reminder, sweetpea! xoxo
ReplyDeleteJust looked up the year Gwen Verdon was on the Carol Burnett Show! It was 1967 and she was 42.xoxo
DeleteShe was the "power behind the throne", and taught Bob a helluva lot. They were a powerhouse team, without whom the world of musical theatre/film would have been very different indeed. Jx
DeleteThe later 1960’s were in a way so GAY ! Thank God :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Homosexuality was (partially) decriminalised in England and Wales in 1967, and gay rights movements were in the rise just about everywhere. So were gays! Perhaps not surprisingly, however, I don't believe that there was ever a federal US law on decriminalisation/equality for gay people.... Jx
DeleteA great dancer with great personality, one of a kind Gwen Verdon.
ReplyDeleteLuv the whimsical top photo of her and the New York skyline, so fitting.
-Rj
It's a brilliant photo! I love it. Jx
DeleteGoodness gracious what was in the water back in those days??? I wonder, might The Carol Burnett Show have shared a choreographer with The Sonny and Cher Show?
ReplyDeleteChoreographer, maybe, but there's no Bob Mackie in evidence here! Jx
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