YOUNGSTOWN 'Fosse' collects choreographer's classics

Despite his personal troubles, Bob Fosse's distinctive style left a lasting influence on the dance world.
By TRACEY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Bob Fosse revolutionized jazz dance by turning his flawed posture into a unique style.
His signature choreography ranged from sharp shoulder drops, turned-in knees and splayed fingers to sensuous, burlesque movements and seductive looks. His movements were isolated, with every move synchronized down to the lift of an eyebrow. Black bowler hats tumbling down, white gloves and black fishnet stockings completed the picture.
The Tony-award winning musical "Fosse," which highlights the most memorable works of the dancer, choreographer, director and Broadway legend, comes to Powers Auditorium in Youngstown on Monday and Tuesday.
Judy Conti, owner of Judy Conti Dance Studios, said Fosse trained to be a ballet dancer, but his slouched posture and turned-in toes made it impossible for him to attain that goal. But he used these shortcomings to create the style of dance he is famous for today.
"His weakness became his strength," Conti said.
Unique honors
In 1972, Fosse became the first -- and to this day, only -- director to win the Oscar, Tony and Emmy awards all in a single year.
Fosse, who died in 1987 at age 60, lived a life of excess and was known for his heavy drinking, chain-smoking and womanizing. He has been described as edgy, obsessive and romantic.
Some of his works include "The Pajama Game," "Damn Yankees," "Cabaret," "Chicago" and the autobiographical "All That Jazz."
Anita Lin, artistic director at Ballet Western Reserve, describes Fosse's technique as "very stylized."
"If you went to see a Fosse show, you knew you were seeing Fosse. It has a lot to do with the head, the torso and especially the hands -- flared hands, flared fingers," Lin said. "It's based on the very classical type of jazz dance, but still sensuous, with an exotic type of look -- very provocative. It demanded wonderful placement and technique from his dancers."
Lin said Fosse loved working with ballerinas and using the ballet technique.
Content of show
Carrie Mazzucco, manager and dance instructor at Judy Conti Dance Studios, saw "Fosse" on Broadway twice.
"The show is basically a study of all his best work. It's not a typical play in the sense that there is a plot. It's a sampling of Fosse's best and most diverse works of choreography."
Mazzucco said the Broadway show was "phenomenal."
"It's a great show, especially if you're interested in and appreciate Fosse. His life was so compelled by dancing -- even with his problems with drinking, smoking and infidelity. He was a genius."
Mazzucco said many dance instructors focus on Fosse and are passing along his style to a younger generation of dancers.
Lin agreed that Fosse's style still holds a grip on the dance world.
"A lot of people are influenced by his work and are still doing it. He created a lot of good choreography," Lin said.
Mazzucco said, "Anyone who knows and appreciates Fosse will love [the show]. Others will be intrigued. They'll have to have an open mind."
X"Fosse is at 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Edward W. Powers Auditorium. Call (330) 744-0264.