Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon: "All That Jazz/Nowadays"

[lovejohnniebear24]

Bitch dont mess with my chita! This is art there is no sin in art, art is creativity not sin! Religious ppl these days! There is nothing sinful about this performance only ppl w/ dirty minds think that way!

[talleyjm]

Though agree that Gween Verdon's talent was 'par excellance' Juliet Prouse gets little attention. She had better legs than Cyd Charisse, better timing than Marge Champion. She was indeed a 'dancers dancer' As an aside, I saw the touring company of Chicago with Jasmine Guy...not a bad job.

[dannypg2]

jeez, those legs! love it!

[phant0m0fthe0pera7]

OH GOD. I wish I could have been there to see this!! And to meet Gwen and Bob. RIP. ='(

[NYCmusictheatreboy]

Alright people. FIrst of all, Chicago opened in 1975, nothing was considered sinful in New York at that time. Haha. Second off, this is brilliant choreography. Fosse is known for the intricacies in his work. The smaller the move, the more effect it has. PLEASE stop judging the work of legends. Fosse created his own look, his own style and choreographers these days look to his work for inspiration. Just because there aren't triple turns and a kick past the face, doesn't mean this isn't amazing.

[jackinla8]

I love Gwen Verdon!

[jdstanning]

They are icons. Slipsnob is a big KNOB. :)

[mizzcaramel999]

this is da best

[riddlefiddler]

I'm going to get slaughtered for this, but I don't find the choreography interesting or impressive here at all. I know Fosse is legend but I have yet to see something that wows me.

[nerdygal216]

This doesn't showcase his best work. The impressiveness in his work was all in how precise and coordinated it was. If you want, just search fosse, people have put up selections from the DVD of the show and I'm sure you'll find something in there.

[cinni18]

i understand were ur comin from but bak in those days the little bit that they did shake was considered sinful and dirty

[Theoz69]

Hot Honey Rag is more what you might be looking for,although he was superb with isolated movement and unorthodox positioning,all which fit me like a glove. I learned a lot from him

[fashionglindaguru]

This isn't anything near the TRUE Fosse choreo that was done for Chicago. I could never understand why they showed this

[kmichelle001]

It seems like they weren't in sync.like they were fighting to see who would do it like the other. the other video of them on mike douglas was awful.

[happyfeet86]

haaaaaah i wonder when i can see one of that broadway shows..

[omorado]

Lovely! I love you Chita!

[Indio156]

I don't think that there will be a dancer born in my lifetime, that is as wonderful as Gwen Verdon. So spot-on precise, yet so relaxed. She was THE BEST I ever saw. And I am 51, and my mother, who is 80, and a former dancer, said she never, in her lifetime, EVER saw any dancer who could match Gwen. And Fosse was the best choreographer EVER, in our opinion. God rest their souls. He is creating dances in Heaven, and Gwen is dancing, and training the other dancers, as she did in life.BRAVO!

[saminnyc]

The four best legs in broadway history! And they don't look to bad either.

[wc213]

Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon: Best Velma and Roxie EVER, hands down. The best female dancers in Broadway history.

[moulinrougechicago]

I totally agree, what i would give to have seen that show

[Indio156]

I saw the original B'way show with Gwen as Roxy and she was brilliant, as she was in the original Sweet Charity, and all her shows in the 70's. My parents took me to all of them, and she made me want to dance.

[whyme1963]

My ranking would go Chita and Gwen, then Bebe Neuwirth and Ann Reinking, with Catherine and Renee a distant third.  But that's just my opinion.

[LARRYGNOME]

it's cool that they are older, but they can still get into tights, and show there legs, now if you're older you can't.

[bondtheater]

Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera are AMAZING. They are in a totally different league than the movie(which was good, but nothing beats the originals) Love these people.

[Selendomono]

Chita rivera is awesome! Gwen is great but i like chita better.

[mandawinter21]

idk, i like the movie better, but probably because

1. i saw the movie first

2. it has bigger moves, which are good for ideas when choreographing

3. the songs are shortened & modernized, which is better when choreographing a preformance for the younger dancer & audience

4. the music comes out the speakers smoother when using the movie soundtrack instead of the original

its all about what your doing with the media.

[wc213]

Well, i don't know. I saw the movie first, but i was blown away by the Broadway version. And, for the original production, the moves were about as big as the movie's. And, I don't remember any of the songs being shortened for the movie.

[6thearetist6]

Sheer perfection with the ultimate X factor!!

[UncleCharlieOakley]

The greatest! They were the originals and every actress who has done "Chicago" since has tried to live up to their legend -- let alone tried to imitate their singing and dancing. The winners and still champions, though, the brilliant Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera. Now THEY are stars.

[TRWolf]

That's your opinion. I accept that they're major Broadway stars, but that the newer actresses are more well known now, and that I prefer their voices, sorry.

[cynthiacher]

You prefer CZJ to and Renee Zellweger to Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon? That's very sad. Rivera and Verdon could wipe up the floor with those two when it comes to talent, and at ANY age. You obviously have no judgement when it comes to REAL talent.

[wc213]

cynthiacher, I couldn't agree more.

[Slipsnob]

Really, you guys. It's time to be logical. They are old, they are aging, they are not the same as they were before. That's just how it is. I don't think I'll ever get the prepubescent voice I had when I was 7 back, ever again. It was the past, this is the future. You're gonna have to learn to move on with the times sooner or later, and accept the fact that THEY ARE NOT SO GOOD ANYMORE.

(I am talking to the cynthiacher of last year. Any future cynthiacher will be SHUNNED!)

[Indio156]

PS: TRWOlf, now that I saw you on your site, I CANNOT BELIEVE you would be CRITICIZING Gwen or Chita! You are 23, and overweight! Who are you EVER to criticize the likes of Chita Rivera and the greatest dancer of them all, Gwen Verdon?! You were not even BORN yet! You didn't even get you first mouthful of a FRY-UP yet!

[TRWolf]

Me being 23 and overweight is nothing to do with whether Im entitled to an opinion, oh shallow one. I never criticised their dancing, as I think that's GREAT, however their voices are very old style, and just not my thing. And because she's older than me that means Im not allowed opinion? Riiight. Also I dont like fry ups, Im fat due to a medical reason if youd like to know. If you cant deal with people having opinions other than your own, you shouldnt really come here.

[wc213]

TRWolf, don't judge Chita and Gwen by this clip. Listen to Chita's version of "All That Jazz" on my video, "Chicago: A Musical Vaudeville! (Spongebob Version) Part 1", and tell me that her version isn't breathtaking. NO ONE can sing "All That Jazz" like Chita.

[TRWolf]

She does sound better in that one, yeah, but still she just sounds alright to me, nothing amazing. But thats just me I guess.

[wc213]

I totally agree with you!  Gwen and Chita are THE best! This coming from a 14 year old!

[Indio156]

Oh, My, God! That took my breath away! To see Gwen Verdon again, doing the Fosse steps just exactly as they were meant to be! Spot on! There will NEVER be another like Gwen!!! I saw her on B'way from the time I was small. She made me want to grow up to be a taxi dancer after I saw her in Charity! LOL!!!

[BroadwayBabe121]

Oh my gawd, breathtaking!

[reneejeanne]

I've been in theatre for 30 years and I hope I look as good as them in another 30! Amazing!

[Indio156]

Unfortunately, Gwen is deceased. Chita doesn't look like that anymore, or move that way. That vid was done a looooong time ago. As Janis said, Get it while you can!

[spongebobmusicals]

Chita DOES still look like that, and move like that, check out the videos of her as Roxie in Las Vegas which was done VERY recently.

[Indio156]

Chita is a better-than-average dancer, but next to Gwen, her moves look "soft" and on the border of sloppy.

[hatch108]

This clip is actually from the Tony Awards in, I believe,the 1980's. They did a whole section of musical numbers from different composers over the years - this section also had Liza doing Cabaret.

As far as CZJ if she had maybe carried on in the theatre and not switched to tv/movies in the UK, she may have ended up being a theatre legend!

[raul415]

There is really very little way to compare the two things. film with all its editing & none of the Fosse dancing. If you saw the show with these two in it and the way it was 1st conceived WOW...better voices, sure. I like the film very much, I like the new broadway show and I'm happy for Fosse that this time it was a big hit. BUT! No one can/could come close to what Gwen Verdon brought to a performance. What she lacks as a singer she makes up for as one of the great dancers of her generation.

[ebbonknee]

Gosh This is amazing I would say that this was from the vaudeville version of Chicago which must be at least late seventies or early eighties. Wow fab to see what I have only heard on the album.

[bosley28]

trwolf do your research...

[TRWolf]

What research? I dont need to do research, I know who these two ladies are and their status, but that doesnt mean I have to think they sound better than newer people.

[pazu7]

Catherine Zeta Jones??? Do you even know who Chita Rivera is? BTW she looks great. What year is this?

[TRWolf]

Yes, I do. But just because she has a legendary name doesnt mean she automatically has an amazing voice, or is automatically better than everyone else. I think the voices in this video are not very good and that there are better, and yes I think Catherine Zeta Jones sounded better.

[pazu7]

If you can even compare her to CZJ then you don't know who she is.

[pazu7]

BTW, don't confuse me with the guy calling you names, I am not insulting you, but you said "low standards" which is a fundamentally absurd statement and makes it obvious that you don't know who or what you're talking about. But you have a right to your opinion. It's just a rather silly one.

[TRWolf]

Once again, YES I KNOW WHO IM TALKING ABOUT. I know who Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon are, and yes I even saw Chita in the Chicago movie, but my point is that I dont think they sound very good in this clip, and I think Catherine Zeta Jones sounded good doing the same songs, as did others like Ruthie Henshall and Ute Lemper, I simply dont rate their performance that much. They arent automatically amazing because they're big Broadway names of the past.

[pazu7]

Sorry, but the "low standards" comment makes me draw my conclusion and what provoked my response. They aren't "automatically amazing", they earned their legendary status and will retain it long after CZJ is long and forgotten. But that's just my opinion. No problem. Peace.

[TRWolf]

I dunno, when people think "Chicago", thanks to the movie they think "Catherine" or "Renee". And my low standards comment was because as you said, these girls were huge, but I just dont think they sounded so amazing.

[blackpython]

Not for anyone over 30, and there are many more people over 30 than there are under 30.

[Indio156]

You say it's not "breathtaking" for anyone over 30? ARE YOU KIDDING? I am 51, and my entire family was involved with either B'way or feature films, or TV production. My Grandmother coached such B'way icons as Newley. I GREW UP backstage or on a set!And I can tell you I THOUGHT GWEN WAS BREATHTAKING.

[blackpython]

No, no, no, I was replying to "when people think "Chicago", thanks to the movie they think "Catherine" or "Renee". " I DO think Gwen & Chita are breathtaking (especially Chita, IMO)

[wc213]

SECONDED!

[wc213]

I'm shocked by what ignorance you're showing.

[TRWolf]

It's not ignorance, it's an opinion.

[bosley28]

F.Y.I. In Chicago dance ability is really where it's at and not the virtuosity of the singing. Bottom line- It's Fosse, not Les Miz- As far as CZJ and her dancing is concerned, while I agree that she did a great job in the movie version- I don't believe she can hold a candle to these two Fosse mavericks, who are legends for a reason. These chicks danced their asses off eight shows a week! Their longevity and the body of their work says it all.

[TRWolf]

Oh the Fosse style dancing I cant complain about, they're great. Its the horrid voices I was talking about.

[Indio156]

Horrid voices? you are a moron.

[TRWolf]

No, I'm not. It's called opinion. I personally think the voices are scratchy and unpleasant, you don't, that's fine, however the difference is that I don't berate you for your opinion, so kindly be mature enough not to with me.

[Indio156]

TRWOLF,You said you took time to watch the performance? You didn't suss that the women are in their MID SIXTIES when they did that? I'd LOVE to see what YOU LOOK LIKE,and what YOU SOUND LIKE when you are even 50,LET ALONE 65!!!PEOPLE ARE NOT FREEZE DRIED IN TOMBS SO THEY CAN COME OUT AND DANCE AND SING FOR YOU, L00KING FOREVER YOUNG!

[TRWolf]

I don't have to be better than someone to like or dislike them, how foolish. I did say that I like the dancing, I just am not keen on the voices, I'm allowed an opinion. Just because you disagree with my opinion doesn't mean you need to be venomous.

[wc213]

Actually, Indio156, Gwen was 50, and Chita was 42 when they did "Chicago". I have no idea about this clip, though. But I'm sure that the video description is wrong. This is not at the Tonys.

[phangirl91]

horrid voices? why did you look up this video? these are broadway divas. actresses like czj and zellweger will never reach this level of fame.

[TRWolf]

I actually didnt look up the video, I was looking for performances of All That Jazz. I like this version's dancing, but just not the vocals. CZJ and Zellweger are now more well known than these former legends, sorry. Plus fame does not equal quality, remember that 'celebrity' wasnt as big a thing back then as it is now, just look at that moron Paris Hilton :/

[phangirl91]

good point. i respect your opinion though. we're all fans of chicago, aren't we?

[ryanglitter]

chita and gwen are former legends?

once a legend, always a legend. Rene & CZJ, good as they are, are not legends and are not the same kind of influential performers as Chita & Gwen. I love both pairs, but come on now....

[TRWolf]

Yeah I think I phrased that badly, I mean that they arent in the public eye as much as Rene and CZJ. I could never say Gwen Verdon isnt a legend!

[spongebobmusicals]

They're not at their best here. Check out the other clip of them doing "Nowadays".

[caravaggio]

This looks fairly recent.

[TRWolf]

God we had low standards back then didnt we? Thank god for people like Catherine Zeta Jones and Ruthie Henshall etc redeeming this.

[videotubeaddict]

your a thick twat TRWolf. your looking at two of the biggest legends of broadway CHITA & GWEN

[TRWolf]

I don't care if you choose to childishly call names, Im entitled to my opinion. And they're only big legends until the better and younger come along, which luckily they did, as this is one of the worst versions I've heard! Yes Im aware they're legends, but Im sorry, there are people who sound BETTER than this. Ignore the names and listen to the voices in comparison to more current voices!

[DannyHiggs]

What year was this?