Personal stationery top center titled “Verdon – Fosse” and below reading longhand in ink “Thank you Gwen”
After receiving Bob Fosse’s estate, all official documents came to Gwen Verdon titled “Verdon – Fosse.” Additionly we are paying homage to her own personlized stationery. See above.
“A SMASH-HIT MIXTURE OF RACEHORSE AND EXPLOSIVE!” - Time Magazine
“A SMASH HIT – A POWERHOUSE – IRRESISTIBLE” - Variety
“A WHALE OF A SHOW!” “A SURE – FIRE WINNER!” “THE BEST AT LAST!”
“BRIGHT, BRASSY AND JUBILANTLY SASSY SHOW!”
The Pajama Game original Broadway production opened on May 13, 1954, and closed on November 24, 1956, after Continue reading
Pictured above an image of “ticket-seekers” line formed outside of the 46th Street Theatre. Having the marque top billing centered reading “Gwen Verdon Chita Rivera Jerry Orbach, Chicago, A Musical Vaudeville” also reading Continue reading
Alive and Kicking a “New Musical Revue” production opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on January 17, 1950 and closed on February 25, 1950, after 46 performances.
Gwen Verdon pictured in performance with famed choreographer Jack Cole. The above image is from an archival paper indexed reference file stamped “Fosse Verdon Archives” and according to the handwritten notes by Gwen Verdon verso, this particular image was published in Dance Magazine’s April 1983 issue and was originally captured during the “Dove’s Blues” an “East Indian” themed dance number from her 1950 Broadway debut show Alive and Kicking.
Below detail image of promotional handbill flyer top center picture and corresponding caption reading “Jack Cole and Dancer.” Continue reading
Possibly production used hand embellished textile, being primarily constructed of a heavy black woven wool material having hand sewn golden metallic sequined letters reading “Hernando’s Hideaway” outlined with corresponding side-by-side bugle beads painted over with a red gloss paint, appears to be nail polish. Considerable amount of surface paint-loss to sequins and beads present, also having fabric corner tears consistent with age and or possible performance use.
“Hernando’s Hideaway” is a tango show tune, largely in Long Metre, from Act II of the musical The Pajama Game, written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, published in 1954. The lyrics describe a dark and secretive Continue reading
Named in honor of the legendary director George Abbott, the “Mr. Abbott” award is presented to a director or choreographer in recognition of lifetime achievement in American theatre. Pictured below is Bob Fosse’s cast bronze “Mr. Abbott” award measuring ten inches in height and having the front engraved placard reading:
”The Mr. Abbott for Lifetime Achievement In The Theatre Awarded to Bob Fosse 1986 by Stage Directors and Choreographers Workshop Foundation”
Founded in 1965, Stage Directors and Choreographers Workshop Foundation exists to foster, promote and develop the creativity and craft of stage directors and choreographers. Continue reading
In 1965, The Nederlanders turned New York City’s famed Palace Theatre into a legitimate theatrical stage for the opening of Sweet Charity starring Gwen Verdon.
Gwen Verdon played the title role of Charity Hope Valentine, a taxi dancer at a dance hall called the “Fandango Ballroom” in Times Square, New York City.
Today the Palace Theatre has 1,740 seats and is one of The Nederlander Organization’s nine Broadway theatres.
Below pictured front cover of the 1966 original Broadway production program of Sweet Charity reading in part: Continue reading
Bob Fosse’s well-used personal working manuscript having front cover centered handwritten label reading “Pal Joey” and lower right side “Bob Fosse.” This was used by Fosse durring the highly acclaimed 1963 musical theater revival. The original 1940 Pal Joey Broadway production was directed by George Abbott and starred Gene Kelly.
The Pal Joey 1952 revival was met with greater success than the original production. It opened on January 3, 1952 and closed on April 18, 1953, after 540 performances. Bob Fosse was the understudy for Joey Evans.
Then some ten years later in 1963 Pal Joey was produced off-Broadway for 15 performances at New York City Center and starred Bob Fosse as Joey Evans, Viveca Lindfors as Vera, and Kay Medford as Melba.
See Pal Joey manuscript detail label images Continue reading
A single page advertising handbill (flyer) promoting ticket sales for the pre-Broadway tryout of the Dorothy Fields musical comedy “REDHEAD” at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. beginning “December 30th, 1958.” “REDHEAD” was in full production over the 1958 New Years Eve holiday and first two weeks of January in 1959.
“Entire Production Directed and Choreographed by BOB FOSSE”
Advertising handbills (heralds) were distributed or inserted into the playbills of other productions to help generate ticket sales for upcoming shows and events. This single page, two-sided handbill measures 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 inches and includes a ticket order form with promotional text on the backside reading in-part: Continue reading
Overview of vintage “TIME The Weekly Newsmagazine” cover from “JUNE 13, 1955″ costing “TWENTY CENTS” reading right center of costumed character Lola cover-art illustration “Gwen Verdon of Damn Yankees” with a subscription cost of “$6.00 A Year” issue number “VOL. LXV NO.24.”
Read published TIME article “The Devil’s Discipline” Continue reading