“Fosse/Verdon” (FX)
Two of Broadway’s brightest stars of the past century were Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse. Verdon was an amazing musical star of such hits as “Damn Yankees” and “Chicago” while Fosse was the director of the award winning movie version of “Cabaret” as well as the Broadway smash hits “Sweet Charity” and “Pippin.” His choreographic style has been most influential in theater for decades. When these two artists collaborated on a project it soared, when they worked separately it didn’t. “Fosse/Verdon” tells the story of what went on in their lives beyond the footlights and cameras.
The casting for this eight part series is amazing. Michelle Williams is fast becoming the go to actress for any role of substance. Losing herself in the world of Verdon seems an easy fit until you look at her performances in other parts and see how distinctive this one is. Williams captures the voice of Verdon and more importantly the essence of Verdon. It is a multi-faceted part and one that is going to bring heaping praise down upon the actress.
Opposite her is the actor of the hour Sam Rockwell. Rockwell appears to be everywhere these days. He was nominated for an Academy Award for “Vice.” He won an Oscar for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing. Missouri.” He will soon appear opposite Taraji P Henson in the much acclaimed The Best of Enemies” and he is now starring as Bob Fosse in “Fosse/Verdon.” In each of these roles he has shown an amazing talent for the dramatic and has brought the audience along with him for a performance and a half.
As Fosse he hits every dramatic note squarely and provides strong insight into the heart and soul of a man who was overly talented and overly fragile. Fosse has an unstable personality which is fueled by challenges from his childhood. He is a man who performs best under pressure but his fractured soul can not stand the weight of his success. This is the crux of the drama shown in “Fosse/Verdon”.
The relationship between Fosse and Verdon is most complex. They love each other but he is unable to maintain a stable, faithful relationship. Still in and out of marriage they remain friends and co-workers. They are joined at the hip talent wise and she always enhances his talents by working on stage or behind the scenes. He is her best adviser when it comes to suggestions on her activities without him. Still their best production is their daughter Nicole who they both adore.
Broadwayphiles will eat this series up and ask for more. Where else could you see the Fosse/Verdon dynamic alongside the true love story of Neil and Joan Simon (Nate Corddry and Aya Cash). You also glimpse the depth of Fosse’s friendship with Paddy Chayefsky (Norbert Leo Butts) and his fleeting relationship with Ann Reinking (Margaret Qualley). There is an overload of “stars” darting in and out of Fosse/Verdon’s lives.
There are two flaws to this series and they are minor. I never believed Williams and Rockwell were comfortable dancers. Both Fosse and Verdon lived to dance, but Williams and Rockwell don’t seem that natural in the dance scenes. It just doesn’t flow out of them. Also keeping the time sequences straight is another issue. The storyline fluctuates back and forth in time and the only hints I had as to which era I was watching was based on how many strands of hair Fosse had on his head.
Still this is another great series from FX and it will hook viewers right from the start and hold them to the end. I base this on the first five episodes I got for review. So get ready to give yourself over to an extraordinary series full of drama, romance, tension as well as an inside look into the lives of two Broadway legends.
“Fosse /Verdon”premieres on FX Tuesday, April 9 at 10PM EST.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
