Ann Reinking, the co-creator of the Tony Award-winning Fosse, teams with her pal Bebe Neuwirth to dance Bob Fosse's steps in the musical revue at the Broadhurst Theatre, April 2-29.
Neuwirth, like Reinking, is a veteran of Fosse's work. She won a Tony Award in Fosse's Broadway revival of Sweet Charity (playing Nickie), and another for playing Velma Kelly in the smash revival of Chicago, choreographed by and co-starring Reinking, who created dances "in the style of Bob Fosse," the original director-choreographer of that show.
Ben Vereen and Reinking recently teamed to perform in Fosse, the 1999 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical. Vereen's run with the show ended April 1. Reinking joined the company March 2. Vereen bowed in it Jan. 26.
Reinking and Neuwirth are expected to dance "Cool Hand Luke" and "Big Spender" together, and other pieces.The lady killer-dillers of Chicago will sing and dance together in Fosse for four weeks, to April 29.
Fosse does have a section that includes "Nowadays" and "Hot Honey Rag," of Chicago, and diehard Chicago fans would be hungry for a reunion of the pair in those sequences. In a previous interview with Playbill On-Line, Reinking said, "Well, that would be the obvious thing to do. We're trying to think of what we can do that's new because we've been doing that one a lot. I mean, obviously we could do that. So, [Bebe and I] have been talking and we've got a couple of really good ideas and it has to be a surprise, but we definitely will be doing things together. There might be one segue that I might do a little bit different...Bebe and I want to try it because it's sort of a conglomeration of this one number we love. We are definitely doing 'Spender' together."
Neuwirth (widely known as Lilith on TV's "Cheers" and "Frasier") has returned to the still-running smash revival of Chicago several times since it began in 1996. She most recently appeared in it (next door, at the Shubert Theatre) in February and early March.
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Reinking, the choreographer who helped create and develop the hit musical, Fosse, stepped into the Tony Award winning musical revue at the Broadhurst Theatre March 2.
Dancer Reinking was a longtime favorite of director choreographer Bob Fosse, whose work the show celebrates. She appeared in featured roles is his popular revue, Dancin', and in his film, "All That Jazz." Vereen had previously joined the Fosse troupe Jan. 26.
Reinking, linked personally and professionally to Fosse, co directed Fosse with Richard Maltby Jr. and also co- choreographed the show (and has co-conception credit). She also choreographed (and starred in) the 1996 revival of Chicago. Fosse opened Jan. 14, 1999, and won the Best Musical Tony Award in 1999. It marked the last Broadway musical that actress-dancer Gwen Verdon worked on. Verdon, Fosse's widow and dance collaborator from such shows as New Girl in Town, Redhead, Sweet Charity and Damn Yankees was Fosse's artistic advisor, working closely with pal Reinking.
Tickets are $35-$85. The Broadhurst is at 235 W. 44th Street. For ticket information, call (212) 582-1200.
