And All That Jazz: The Musical
Contents
- The history of the musical “And All That Jazz”
- The music of “And All That Jazz”
- The lyrics of “And All That Jazz”
- The stage production of “And All That Jazz”
- The film version of “And All That Jazz”
- The critical reception of “And All That Jazz”
- The influence of “And All That Jazz”
- The legacy of “And All That Jazz”
- 10 things you didn’t know about “And All That Jazz”
- Why “And All That Jazz” is a must-see musical
And All That Jazz: The Musical is a fun, energetic show that will have you tapping your feet and singing along. Featuring a talented cast of performers, this show is a must-see for musical theatre fans.
The history of the musical “And All That Jazz”
And All That Jazz is a musical with a book by Bob Fosse, music by Joe Raposo, and lyrics by Fred Ebb. It premiered on Broadway in 1975 and was inspired by Fosse’s experiences in the entertainment business. The musical won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was adapted into a film of the same name in 1979.
The musical is set in the world of show business and follows the lives of various characters as they struggle to find success. The title refers to the style of jazz dance that was popularized by Fosse.
And All That Jazz was well-received by critics and was a commercial success. It has since been revived several times, including a successful run on Broadway in 1999.
The music of “And All That Jazz”
And All That Jazz: The Musical is a musical revue first staged in 1974. It celebrates the music of composer and lyricist Bob Fosse. The revue Footnotes was later expanded and renamed to include more of Fosse’s work. And All That Jazz: The Musical includes songs from Damn Yankees, Pippin, Sweet Charity, New Girl in Town, Big Deal, Chicago, Dancin’, and Redhead.
The lyrics of “And All That Jazz”
The lyrics of “And All That Jazz” are about a woman who is reflecting on her life and career in the theater. She has seen it all, and she is not sure if she wants to continue with it. The lyrics are ironic, because they are about a woman who is at the top of her game, but she is not sure if she wants to continue.
The stage production of “And All That Jazz”
The stage production of “And All That Jazz” is a musical with a book by Joe DiPietro and music and lyrics by Robert L. Friedman. It is based on the 1980 film All That Jazz, directed by Bob Fosse. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2000, and ran for 455 performances. The original production starred Natascia Diaz as Katie Joplin, Ben Vereen as Joe Gideon, and Tony Yazbeck as Roy Scheider.
The story follows the last days of fictional director and choreographer Joe Gideon (based on Bob Fosse), as he created his latest Broadway show. Gideon is a womanizer, a substance abuser, and facing death from a heart condition. As he writes, rehearses, and stages the show, he recalls his past relationships with women; his estranged daughter Michelle; his ex-wife Audrey Paris; his mistress Angelique; and his current girlfriend Katie Joplin.
The film version of “And All That Jazz”
The film version of “And All That Jazz” was directed by Bob Fosse and released in 1979. The movie follows the life of Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider), a Broadway director and choreographer, as he juggles his work on a new show with his personal life. The movie features some of Fosse’s most iconic choreography, set to a score by Kander and Ebb that includes such classics as “All That Jazz” and “Mein Herr.”
The critical reception of “And All That Jazz”
The critical reception of “And All That Jazz” was mixed, with some reviewers praising the musical’s energy and style, and others feeling that it was too disjointed and uneven.
The influence of “And All That Jazz”
“And All That Jazz” is a song from the 1974 musical Chicago. The song is performed by the character Velma Kelly in the musical’s opening number and reprised by Roxie Hart later in the show. The song is also often performed by other characters in various productions of the musical.
The song is a showcase for the character’s musical talents, as well as for the actor’s dancing ability. The lyrics describe Velma’s life as a dancer and her love of performing. The song is also a reflection on the emptiness that she feels after her husband and sister are killed, and how she turns to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain.
The song has been described as “an ode to jazz” and “a love letter to theatre”. It has been praised for its catchy melody and Broadway-style production values. The original cast recording of the song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Original Song.
The legacy of “And All That Jazz”
And All That Jazz is a musical number composed by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb for the 1973 film Cabaret. It introduced the character of Sally Bowles, played by Liza Minnelli in the film. The original production of Cabaret (1966) won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and its 1972 film adaptation won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
“And All That Jazz” is a pastiche of 1920s jazz and popular music styles. The lyrics identify Cabaret as a “beguiling” place where “if you’re blue and you don’t know where to go to, why don’t you go where fashion sits?” The number employs several excessively long jazz chords and 1960s-style electric bass lines. It is performed in the film by Minnelli as Sally Bowles and choreographed by Bob Fosse.
The number was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song but lost to “The Way We Were” from the film of the same name. It has since become a pop culture staple and has been covered by many artists, including Barbra Streisand, James Brown, Robbie Williams, Katy Perry,and Cher.
10 things you didn’t know about “And All That Jazz”
1. The original title of the musical was “Hot Honey Rag.”
2. The title “And All That Jazz” comes from a 1920s saying which means “everything that’s exciting and fun.”
3. The musical is based on the life of Bob Fosse, a legendary dancer, choreographer, and director.
4. The opening number, “All That Jazz,” was originally intended to be a part of the movie “Cabaret.”
5. “And All That Jazz” was the first musical to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
6. The movie won four Academy Awards, including Best Director for Bob Fosse.
7. The movie was also nominated for eleven Golden Globe Awards, winning five, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
8. Chita Rivera, who played Velma Kelly in the movie, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress.
9. Liza Minnelli, who played Roxie Hart in the movie, won the Academy Award for Best Actress.
10. The final scene in which Velma Kelly shoots Roxie Hart was originally intended to be much darker and more violent than what was eventually filmed.
Why “And All That Jazz” is a must-see musical
The musical “And All That Jazz” is a must-see for anyone who loves great music and performances. The show features some of the best jazz musicians in the world, and the dancing is simply spectacular. If you’re a fan of either jazz or musicals, you’ll absolutely adore this show.