The famously popular Bob Fosse died in 1987, leaving a behind a legacy of Dance, Broadway, and Film. He also left behind a connected group of people which were linked to him both personally and professionally, some of whom seem forever tied to his work. In the 1979 film All That Jazz there are several relative characters and scene that can be compared to Bob Fosses own life and experiences. The film depicted Bob Fosse his life of hard work determination, womanizing, and substance abuse at an accelerated rate. A huge part of Fosses life was his obsession with sex. Ann Reinking plays Kate Jagger in the film. She was one of Fosse's most famous dancers as well as his lover. Casting her as the suffering girlfriend Reinking choreographed and was considered the torchbearer for Fosse's distinctive slinky sexy style of dancing. Ann Reinking got her big break dancing in hit dancing in Fosses musicals of the 1970s, moving from the chorus in Pippin to the lead in Chicago, replacing Fosse wife Gwen Verdon who originally had the role. Verdon was not in All That Jazz but character Audrey Paris played by Leland Palmer was based on her. The important character the angel of death Angelique was played by another girlfriend to Fosse, Jessica Lange.
Throughout the film it was relevant that Joe Gideon, played by Roy Scheider, was based on Fosse. He was a workaholic choreographer and director. Gideon had a routine every day consisting of taking pills and smoking and perfection at the studio. Fosse was addicted to cigarettes, and most of all dance. Through out the film and the production of the play in the movie he refers to colleagues. A songwriter in the movie Paul Dunn was a pick at actual songwriter Stephen Schwartz, whom Fosse did not particularly enjoy working with. This nakedly autobiographical piece veers from gritty drama to a glitter and glam musical. The self-absorption literally opens alter ego Joe Gideon's heart in a key scene during cardiac surgery. The self-destructive, self-loathing, creative Gideon dies in a large comical extravagant performance. Fosse actually did die of a heart attack while he revived his 1965 hit Sweet Charity. The film is undeniable a biography of Bob Fosse exposing his personal elements and moment in his life from the literal to the figurative.
Throughout the film it was relevant that Joe Gideon, played by Roy Scheider, was based on Fosse. He was a workaholic choreographer and director. Gideon had a routine every day consisting of taking pills and smoking and perfection at the studio. Fosse was addicted to cigarettes, and most of all dance. Through out the film and the production of the play in the movie he refers to colleagues. A songwriter in the movie Paul Dunn was a pick at actual songwriter Stephen Schwartz, whom Fosse did not particularly enjoy working with. This nakedly autobiographical piece veers from gritty drama to a glitter and glam musical. The self-absorption literally opens alter ego Joe Gideon's heart in a key scene during cardiac surgery. The self-destructive, self-loathing, creative Gideon dies in a large comical extravagant performance. Fosse actually did die of a heart attack while he revived his 1965 hit Sweet Charity. The film is undeniable a biography of Bob Fosse exposing his personal elements and moment in his life from the literal to the figurative.