Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: "Fosse," one of Broadway's biggest sensations of the late 1990s, is a mixed blessing when captured on film.Having never seen the show on stage (given the choice, I opted for the 'other' Fosse show, "Chicago,") I wasn't too sure what I was in store for. The evening kicked off with Ben Vereen, one of Broadway's more lackluster stars, standing behind a skrim singing "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries." Thankfully, his voice is not as painfully strained as it is in the "Pippin" DVD, but it's still obviously not the most fitting duo. Following the almost down-beat opening number is a quirky and fast-paced dance, in which Ann Reinking is introduced. One of the main reasons "Fosse" interested me was because Ms. Reinking would be appearing. Sadly, her top-billing is misleading. Other than her poignant and insightful interviews used as "Intermissions," she is grossly underused. Appearing at the end of the second number, then again in [the sensationally done] "Big Spender," she disappears until curtain call. I can't decide if the show itself suffered from the ironically present-yet-absent status of Bob Fosse's protogé, but my interest sure did. She easily could have stepped into "Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag" from Chicago, or "Sing, Sing, Sing" - both of which, the second to a grander degree, contributed to her star power. Even more disappointing is the over-use of the over-rated Ben Vereen. Comparing his vocal power on the original recording of "Pippin" (his 'star-making' show) to this simply goes to show he's passed his prime. His dancing leaves something to be desired as well. Next on the list of debatable points is the costuming. Obviously taking its cues from "Chicago" in this department, there is an abundence of cynical (if not sin-ical) little back dresses and tight black shirts. This sort of costuming doesn't do its best to capture Fosse's original style, for the most part. Looking back of '75's original "Chicago," it's easy to see that the costuming was gaudy, if not over the top. The only numbers that satisfied me in costuming were "Big Spender" and "Shoeless Joe From Hanibal, Mo." Thankfully, the saving grace of the show is exactly what it celebrates: Dancing. From the first rhythmic step taken on the stage in "Fosse's World" to the exhilerating finale of "Sing, Sing, Sing!" there is little doubt that Fosse was indeed one of Broadway's most gifted choerographers. The chic style of these dances, so wonderfully recreated by the aforementioned Ann Reinking, save this show from being a complete and utter waste. However, the only downfall is that these dances, collected from works spread out over an entire career, can at times feel repetitious if not identical. In conclusion, this show has its heart in the right place, but the lack of Ann Reinking, abundance of Ben Vereen, underuse of costuming and perhaps overuse of big show stopping numbers keeps the arrow from hitting the mark.
Rating: 
Summary: Hit, but don't miss
Review: After seeing the show in Paris, last month, I bought that DVD and couldn't find adequate words to stress my enthusiasm (for both). I'll add only this, for Mr or Ms Pesmothie: check the DVD's credit section and you'll find out that the "phenominal" Dylis Croman is one of the female dancers. By the way, the actual trumpeter, as well as the piano player, gave perfect renditions of the Harry James and Jess Stacey soloes, as performed with the Benny Goodman band at the memorable session of Carnegie Hall, in 1937 (or 1938) It was not improvisation, but the exact transcription of the soloes was necessary in order to obtain that perfect match between music and dancing, which is a trade mark of American professionalism.
henry caraso, Paris, France
Rating: 
Summary: Vereen and Fosse
Review: Although I have always enjoyed Ben Vereen's work, I feel he gives an over-the-top performance here as if to compensate for what he is no longer to do as a dancer and I feel it creates an imbalance for the show. He is nevertheless a very strong presence and it is a pleasure to own this document of some of Bob Fosse's greatest work.
Rating:
Summary: the Fosse legacy
Review: As a former dancer, I marvel at the technique and ability of the ensemble in this show, and of Bob Fosse's choreography, which challenges their skill to the maximum, with his unique vision of movement and form, somewhat like a marriage between a young sleek cat and Marcel Marceau's mime, usually with a touch of decadence (sometimes a hefty slice of it) and always humor. Fosse (1927-1987), was a man who though very serious about his work, never failed to fill it with a carefree wit.
Headed by Ben Vereen and Ann Reinking (who co-directed and co-choreographed), it's the ensemble of dancers that steal the spotlight, like Ken Alan who does such graceful tap dancing, the stunning redhead Dylis Croman, who solos in "Sing, Sing, Sing", and Meg Gillentine, who does "Steam Heat".
The shows represented are:
Pajama Game (1954)
Damn Yankees (1955)
Sweet Charity (1966)
Bob Hope Special (1968)
Pippin (1972)
Liza with a Z (1972)
Chicago (1975)
Dancin' (1978)
Big Deal (1986)
In three acts, Act One and Two end with interview clips of Vereen, Reinking and Dana Moore, speaking of what it was like working with Fosse. I never had the opportunity to do so, but did audition for him once, and it went on for days...I was amazed by his thoroughness, patience, and fairness, and when it came down to two of us, his extreme kindness in bidding me goodbye.
Despite the enormous talent involved and Fosse's genius, this show just misses the mark. The lighting for instance sometimes is too dark to see the legs and feet when they are wearing dark clothes (which is a lot of the time), and perhaps Vereen and Reinking aren't quite the star wattage power needed to hold the production together, and on occasion, there is some distinctly non-Fosse-like lack of precision; nevertheless, this show, which was a PBS "Great Performances" entry, will be appreciated by dance aficionados and Fosse fans.
Rating:
Summary: Good But Not Great
Review: Before I go any further, I should state that I am a lifelong lover of Broadway shows and have always admired the work of Bob Fosse. So I was quite looking forward to this "celebration" of his choreography. But, having seen it, why am I left feeling distinctly underwhelmed?
Perhaps this was a show that needed to be seen on the stage. Bob Fosse was, after all, primarily a Broadway legend, although he also made several knockout films. Or maybe not enough was done to make the transition from stage to DVD. Certainly, at times, the theatre lighting seems to obscure rather than reveal the choreography. And the camera work does not always serve the performance as well as it might. But some of the problems could also be the basic concept. The numbers are presented in roughly chronological order which is interesting but makes for uncertain pacing. Some of the big numbers from, say, Cabaret or Chicago are simply not there. Most of the numbers are chorus or ensemble pieces, rather than star-based showstoppers. While Fosse's choreography is wonderfully unique, it is not necessary to be so robotic about it. In the post-show interviews, much is made of Fosse's perfectionism and insistence on doing things over and over again. But this company does not seem to have been subjected to the same rigors. As an example - part of the "From This Moment On" number from the film Kiss Me Kate that was originally danced by Carol Haney and Fosse himself. The dancers in this show perform the steps and movements exactly. But the wit and charm of the piece - and the star quality - are sadly lacking.
Maybe part of the problem is taking the routines out of their context without full costumes and scenery. Of course, the bare basics of this production wishes to emphasize the choreography. But Fosse was more than a choreographer - he was a director and these numbers were parts of shows, not just isolated flashes. Only one of Fosse's later shows - Dancin' - was just a succession of dance numbers, and it worked more successfully than this show. Come to that, Fosse's great film All That Jazz tells us much more about Fosse and dancing than this show.
No doubt many people will love this show and revel in its celebration of one of Broadway's best. But, for me, I kept wishing that it had been better. Maybe only Bob Fosse himself could have given the show that something special.
Rating: 
Summary: Did Not Live Up To It's Hype.
Review: Ben Vareen is simply embarrassing and to such an extent that his final spot should be quickly 'Fast Forward'.
Much of what is happening on stage is lost because the camera repeatedly jumps from full frontal to the left, then to the right, then back to full stage. During this off-putting camera work it also jumps from close-up to distant. Big Spender was thus ruined.
The magic of the original Broadway show and cast is completely lost. Fosse would have been furious and both he and Fred Astaire would be turning over in their graves.
Rating:
Summary: ...But where is Ms. Reinking?
Review: Bob Fosse choreographed so many beautiful and clever dances. With a group of talented dancers, who are equally talented as singers and actors, the magic of Fosse comes to life. Ben Vereen is great. He gives a wonderful performance- he acts, sings and dances number after number. In "Bye Bye Blackbird" he sings and dances with joy and passion, and you can feel that Fosse is in his soul. In "Mr. Bojangles" he is very moving.
But my million dollar question is: where is Ms. Reinking? She has a great entrance in "Fosse's World" and "Big Spender" - and that's it! I really wanted to see her in "Nowadays" and in the "Hot Honey Rag" which she performed in "Chicago" in 1997 on Broadway. I wanted to see her do "There'll Be Some Changes Made" from "All That Jazz" as well. Don't get me wrong - the other performers who did those numbers were great, especially: Dylis Croman, Meg Gillentine, Rachelle Rak, and Dana Moore. The guys are great too, especially: Ken Alan and Edwaard Liang. They dance beautifully, with great acting ability that makes thier performance so amazing.
In conclusion, I would say that everybody that loves Fosse's works and musicals should buy this DVD, even though the amazing Reinking didn't perform so much.
Rating:
Summary: IF YOU ARE A FOSSE FAN...DO NOT MISS THIS!
Review: Boy was I surprised to see this DVD for sale. What a delight. I saw the show 3 times in NYC and watching this DVD is like being back on Broadway. NOTHING is left out. Now can we talk about Ben. His performance is nothing short of magical. If you love Fosse or did not have a chance to see it.....I highly recomend this DVD. Life is just a bowl of cherries....Don't take it to seriously! Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: I was there for the filming
Review: First off , Fosse style of dance is amazing. I was privelaged to have by chance been at the show the very day they filmed this, and OH MY GOSH it was electric. Ben Vereen was incredible and Anne Reinking, well do I really need to say anymore? This should be in every musical lovers collection!
Rating:
Summary: I was there for the filming
Review: First off , Fosse style of dance is amazing. I was privelaged to have by chance been at the show the very day they filmed this, and OH MY GOSH it was electric. Ben Vereen was incredible and Anne Reinking, well do I really need to say anymore? This should be in every musical lovers collection!
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