How Bob Fosse Jazzed up “Chicago”

Anyone who has ever had even the slightest interest in musical theater knows about Bob Fosse. The man has created choreographies for many Broadway productions such as “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” (1966) and “Damn Yankees” (1955), but his most popular work to date is the famous musical “Chicago” (1975). The Broadway sensation takes place in 1920s Chicago (obviously) where certain aspects of crime and criminals were glamorized to the extent of turning them into local celebrities. The plot follows a couple of such women locked up at the Cook County Jail, their journey into the public eye, and their hunger for recognition, all with the help of dazzling song and dance numbers.

The man to choreograph it all is the world-renowned Fosse. His style of dance was smooth and sultry and can be spotted from miles away by anyone who enjoys his work. Think about heavy jazz influences meeting body isolations and precise, controlled movements. Delicious. It was the perfect fit for the musical.

All That Jazz

“All That Jazz” is the opening number of the musical and it sets the tone for everything that is to follow. Fosse needed to make sure it did the job, and boy did it do it! Capturing the essence of the Roaring Twenties with meticulous costumes, classy lines, and incredible sophistication, this is a dance number that musical theater schools learn as part of their repertoire to this day. Since the story contains elements of danger, lust, crime, and intrigue, Fosse’s choreography needed to reflect that with every move, be it a bold sway of the hips or a nuanced flick of the wrist.

Cell Block Tango

One of the most memorable songs in “Chicago” is the “Cell Block Tango,” which has six murderesses talking about their crimes (or supposed crimes.) It is a passionate display of song and dance that involves strong emotions like revenge and betrayal, and Fosse’s way of conveying that through movement included elements such as a three-person tango, acrobatics, and the use of red and white handkerchiefs to represent guilt or innocence.

Pushing Boundaries

While not even half as provocative as some of modern-day music videos, the pieces that Fosse choreographed for “Chicago” were quite provocative for their time. Sure, there were elements of jazz and technique that would require highly skilled dancers to perform, but there was also bold sensuality that was not considered acceptable on a theater stage. His vision as well as his creation have changed the world of musical theater forever.