A new miniseries premiered last Tuesday (April 9th) on the FX cable channel titled Fosse Verdon. It’s based on the Fosse biography written by Sam Wasson, and stars Sam Rockwell as director–choreographer Bob Fosse, and Michelle Williams as actress and dancer Gwen Verdon. Lin-Manuel Miranda (of Hamilton fame) is one of many executive producers.
“The project tells the story of the romantic and creative partnership between Bob Fosse (Rockwell) and Gwen Verdon (Williams). He was a filmmaker and one of theater’s most influential choreographers and directors; she was the greatest Broadway dancer of all time. Together, they changed the face of American entertainment — at a perilous cost. The series will feature Fosse’s choreography and explore the hidden corners of showbiz, the price of pursuing greatness and the suffering inflicted in the name of art.”[1]
Once Gwen Verdon started working with Fosse, she became his muse. The first episode of the series depicts his almost “need” to have her around while he was choreographing Cabaret in Germany. They eventually married and separated, but Verdon remained legally married to Fosse at his death, and she was the mother of his only child (daughter Nicole Fosse, who co-executive produces).
Check out the official trailer from the series, and also check out resources available on Bob Fosse in our collection:
- Goldberg, Lesley (July 24, 2018). “Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michelle Williams, Sam Rockwell Team for Fosse-Verdon Series at FX“. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 15, 2019.