Fosse/Verdon/Rivera
This should be an enjoyable video for most people, but especially those who have been watching the f/X mini-series, Fosse/Verdon. But surprisingly, it's particularly fun for the latter not because of the musical number, but the conversation that comes latter.
The musical part, though, is quite wonderful. This is a clip from the old daytime talk show, The Mike Douglas Show. It's Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera doing an absolutely great job performing one of my favorite songs from the Kander and Ebb musical Chicago that they starred in on Broadway (and then latter on tour in Los Angeles, where I saw them, as well as Jerry Orbach). And which was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse. And then the song is followed by them doing the Hot Honey Rag. Making a appearance in between is Douglas's guest co-host for the week, Hal Linden, who fills in as the musical's emcee for the number. (Though most people know Linden for his series Barney Miller, he was an accomplished stage musical performer, and even won a Tony Award for the show, The Rothschilds, by Harnick and Bock.)
The video continues afterwards for the talk portion of the evening, and often I'll click away at that point, but this time -- given the people involved -- I decided to keep watching...and am glad I did. That's because later in the interview, Gwen Verdon talks about a disastrous flop she was in, which as she was describing it, I felt certain that it was the show her character just began rehearsals for at the end of last week's episode of the mini-series -- and it's not going well -- called Children, Children. And sure enough, as she continues the story....it is! If you want to jump to that, it starts around the 8:00 mark.
The video quality is not very good, it's quite washed out, but it's still a big treat -- whether you watch the interview or not. And for those who have been watching the mini-series, you'll not only enjoy the story but appreciate even more the terrific job Michelle Williams is doing as Gwen Verdon.
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