Robert Louis Fosse (June 23, 1927 – September 23, 1987) was a musical theater choreographer and director.

Career

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Fosse was born in Chicago, Illinois into a Norwegian family. He was the youngest of six children. His career in dance began at an early age when his father taught him ballroom dancing. Fosse began his dance training at the Frederick Weaver Ballet School where he learned tap and acrobatic dancing, and was the only male enrolled. At the age of 13, Fosse teamed up with Charles Grass, another young dancer, and began a collaboration under the appellation The Riff Brothers. They toured various theaters and strip joints all throughout the Chicago area. In less than three years, the team was making the then generous salary of over $100 a week and Fosse was already choreographing as well as writing comedy sketches by age 15. Ever ambitious, however, Fosse moved on and he was working as an emcee at a series of small nightspots. It was at one of those establishments where he choreographed his first number, involving four girls manipulating ostrich fans to the music of Cole Porter. By 1945, Fosse had graduated from Amundsen High in Chicago and landed a job dancing in the show "Tough Situation," which toured military and naval bases in the Pacific. He later said he "perfected his technique as a performer, choreographer, and director while serving his tour of duty". He first appeared in film dancing in Give A Girl A Break, The Affairs of Dobie Gillis and Kiss Me, Kate, all three released in 1953.

One year later he worked as a choreographer in his first two Broadway shows, The Pajama Game (1954, in which he first met Gwen Verdon, and Damn Yankees (1955).

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Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Volume 3 - Baritone/Bass Book/2 CDs Pack - $39.95. http://bit.ly/5wRSth
new_musical (Musical Instruments) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:42:29 -0000
Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Volume 3 - Baritone/Bass Book/2 CDs Pack - $39.95. http://bit.ly/5wRSth
Saw Legally Blonde: The Musical last night at the Savoy theatre. Very silly and fun, but perhaps one for the girls?!
helenochyra (Helen Ochyra) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:00:43 -0000
Saw Legally Blonde: The Musical last night at the Savoy theatre. Very silly and fun, but perhaps one for the girls?!
Saw Legally Blonde: The Musical last night at the Savoy theatre. Very silly and fun, but perhaps one for the girls?!
quirkylondon (Quirky London) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:00:43 -0000
Saw Legally Blonde: The Musical last night at the Savoy theatre. Very silly and fun, but perhaps one for the girls?!
just watched the play/musical 'pennies from Kevin' at the Sydney Theatre Co. very funny, cutting political comedy
Whingeing_Pom (Big G) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:30:15 -0000
just watched the play/musical 'pennies from Kevin' at the Sydney Theatre Co. very funny, cutting political comedy
I definitely think that Joe from x factor should be a musical theatre performer.He wont last as a popstar...
yazzminnewell (Yazzmin Newell) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:01:51 -0000
I definitely think that Joe from x factor should be a musical theatre performer.He wont last as a popstar...
@Schofe and her qualifications in dancing are................? At least Ruthie had a successful career in musical theatre
maisiemunch (Karen Telling) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:32:58 -0000
@Schofe and her qualifications in dancing are................? At least Ruthie had a successful career in musical theatre

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