Fosse [DVD]

The major advantage of filming a stage production is that the camera can insure that you see particular moments and particular faces. This also means you get a much better sense of individual performers. You may get to see spontaneous moments or the close-ups may be rehearsed but ultimately you get the sense of a more intimate performance. The disadvantage of filming a stage production is that you are restricted to seeing what the film editor wants you to see. Therefore the stage production must either be designed for the camera or you must accept that you will not see the entire performance.One of the reasons for the success of the movie Chicago, is that the director changed the choreography such that the chorus line was frequently posing rather than dancing and therefore the viewer had less sense of missing parts of the performance.The movie Fosse is film of a stage production designed as a tribute to the late great choreographer and entertainment polymath Bob Fosse. Both the advantages and disadvantages of filming stage production are apparent in this movie. In the smaller ensemble pieces the camera work can be brilliant. The segment built around the song Steam Heat is never less than brilliant. The three performers are seen up close; the music the singing and dancing bring out the joy, the sensuality, the romance and the fun of the song. The chorus line production of Hey Big Spender captures all of the ennui and the thinly disguised distaste the taxi dancers have for their perspective Johns. This production number clearly demonstrates Bob Fosse's ability to execute a sophisticated choreographic operation while all of his dancers are lined up against a bar.Alternately, the production of Mein Herr is a failure. The peripatetic cross cuts between the extreme close-up of the deliberately over made soloist and the too brief glimpses of the rest of the chorus line are distracting and destructive. In the otherwise joyful production number of I Want to Be a Dancing Man, there is so much focus on the central group engaged in an elaborate play of hands and rhythm that the viewer is completely denied of the contrasting graceful motions of the other dancers. Ultimately the camera direction forgets that the chorus line is integral to the appreciation of Fosse's choreography. Instead we get too much focus on the soloist performers.As slow and limited as age has made Ben Vereen, he can dominate this stage at will. His presence can alternate between commanding, and elegant with controlled applications of pathos. His inclusion along with Ann Reinking and Dana More ensure that dancers with a direct line to Bob Fosse are represented.Taken together Fosse is an entertaining tribute to a brilliant man. Whatever the faults of the movie editing the performers always deliver. Whether you are a student of dance or someone looking for an entertaining way to spend some time you will be glad you own this movie.

I have been having a wonderful time with the DVD version of Fosse. I saw it performed on Broadway, and enjoyed it greatly, but I love the DVD version even more. Seeing the entire production from beginning to end can be a little overwhelming. It's like overdosing on Fosse. When you see a play he choreographed, like Chicago, or Pippin, then you have those amazing dance numbers intersperced inside the book and songs. In the theater, an evening of all-Fosse-dance-numbers was like being a child at loose in a candystore. It's all delicious, but you end up with a stomach ache. On DVD you get to select the dances you want to see, and watch however much you want at a time, and it is absolutely wonderful. I never watch the whole thing, but there are sections I watched every morning upon awakening to give me a push to get on with the day. For this reason definitely buy the DVD version and not the VHS version. Also, in order to have it preserve itself for a long while. You'll want to watch this in another 50 years or pass it down to your children. I think that the camera was beautifully directed to really gives you a feeling of each number, and the dancers are absolutely superb. Ben Vereen is getting old and can't dance the way he used to, but it's a delight to have him around anyway, and thrilling to hear him sing again. The young dancers are astonishingly good. If you want to know what is amazing about Broadway dance, then buy this DVD.

I purchased this DVD for my wife who loves dancing and theater. We had seen this production on Broadway and I was not impressed with it in person. This taped production has done nothing to change my mind.Bob Fosse was a masterful director and choreographer. With such hits as Pippin, Chicago, Damn Yankees and How to Succeed, he had made a name for himself as a man with a different point of view to dance and theater. His work was new and exciting and often provocative and one would think that a show that showcases his work would be an incredible evening of theater. Unfortunately, more Fosse does not an evening of good theater make.One of the first questions one must ask is why add Ben Vereen and Ann Reinking to the cast? While both performers are an important part of Fosse history, as they push into their 50's the movement required to perform Fosse's crisp dances is missing. And their time on stage (especially Reinking) is minimal. It is also strange that several of the dances that these 2 performers created are peformed here by other dancers. Didn't Reinking JUST star in Chicago a few years back? Then why isnt she perfoming Nowadays here? You want to see Ben Vereen perform the Manson Trip Dance from Pippin? Buy the Pippin DVD where is he is top form. His performance in Fosse is disappointing that borders on embarassing at times. Such a shame for such an incredible performer.The dancers are uniformly good but some of the dancing seemed sloppy at times. Some of choices of songs performed are interesting and at other times strange. For instance...Glory is performed from Pippin, but not Magic To Do which was a fantastic opening for that show. A highlight of the show is "Hey Big Spender" from Sweet Charity and several numbers from Dancing. This producation was taped just prior to the closing of the Broadway production and the sound and picture quality is good, although there are sometimes too many close ups and quick cuts to get a full sense of what it happening on stage.The point of Fosse is to highlight the career of a wonderful showman. Unfortunately this production is passionless, which is a disappointing legacy for such a passionate man like Bob Fosse.

This was a great show. It's really wonderful that both Reinking and Vereen took part. Makes it a treasure.

さすがブロードウェイって感じでした。でもちょっとですけど期待はずれって感じですね・・・だがしかし、なんってたってブロードウェイですから楽しめましたけどね。