Actor Christopher Tocco, above, plays Jack Cole in a backstage scene with the young Gwen Verdon in FX’s blockbuster eight-episode docu-drama, “Fosse/Verdon.”
“Fosse/Verdon”‘s backstage scene between Verdon and her mentor Jack Cole is preceded by a Jack Cole jazz number vividly choreographed by “Hamilton” choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, who is a co-producer of this series. Out with a bang, shot from a cannon, come four men and one women. It’s oh so very brief! But it conveys immediately that something new and very cool is detonating on the nightclub floor before the young Gwen Verdon’s impressionable eyes.
Blankenbuehler’s choreography strikes me as inspired by “Beale Street Blues” performed by the Cole dancers in a television appearance on the Sid Caesar Show led by Chita Rivera, who is partnered by Cole, circa 1960.
Chita was recently interviewed by Vincent Dowd of the BBC about Cole just last week (I am also part of the show!). And watch Fosse/Verdon Tuesday night!
“Beale Street” in its original permutation appeared in The I Don’t Care Girl (Fox 1953) danced by, in appearance order, Gwen Verdon (she’s out first in her hot-pink ensemble, to a blaring trumpet), Julie Newmar (seated in chair) Matt Mattox and Marc Wilder, entering together. Then out comes Mitzi, watch out! and more. An insanely brilliant dance number. Rich!! Do you wanna see Gwen Verdon dance? I mean really dance? Watch below.
“Me and My Baby,” epi 3 of “Fosse/Verdon” | FX |Tues April 23, 10 pm
