American Jazz <3 Flashcards
When was chicago created
The stage musical was performed in 1975
What are some key influences/origins of Chicago - can you name specific reports that inspired the characters storylines
–> Maurine Watkins - Crime reports (Roxie based on Baulah Annane)
–> The prohibition era (1920s) - ban of alcohol, height of speakeasies
–> His heart attack - made it darker and grittier
–> Vaudeville - dark humour and teasing sexual tones
–> desire for sexual freedom in America in 1960’s
What are each of the sections specialised/choreographed as
All vaudevillian acts
What’s Bob Fosse’s style?
–> finger snaps, pelvic thrusts
–> Vulgar movements
–> Splayed hands, inverted knees
–> Revealing costumes - sexualises women
–> Element of surprise
–> Angular positions
What was the impact that Chicago had
–> Nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 1976
–> Celebrities have taken main roles which increased publicity for the show
–> Audience come away loving criminals, basically suggesting that society accepts criminals - making crime attractive
What are some of the main themes within the section they both reached for the gun within the work of Chicago
–> Facade through Ventriloquism
–> Vaudevillian feels
–> Crime
–> using femininity as a weapon for sympathy
What was Chicago dedicated to
Fosse dedicated Chicago to his wife
What’s a key motif from the section they both reached for the gun
Roxie sits on Billy Flynn’s lap centre stage facing the audience being used as a puppet while he uses his hidden talent of ventriloquism to make it appear as if Roxie is narrating her traumatic event causing her to commit a crime. While mouthing the words ‘They both reached for the gun’ she reaches forwards towards the audience with her left arm (up and forwards) in a smooth but energised manner. She does this while mouthing the words in an over expressive nature adding this element of Vaudeville comedy
What’s the costume like in the section they both reached for the gun in Chicago
Billy Flynn - black suit, blazer, red tie, trousers, white shirt
Roxie - black dress
professional clothing
When was The Pajama Game created
1954 - Broadway
1957 - film (one we use, so more important to remember this date)
What’s The Pajama Game about
The Pajama Game is about a union strike at a pajama factory due to unfair wages.
What are some origins of The Pajama Game
–> Fosse’s first fully choreographed show in 1954 - influenced the movie version (one we study)
–> Directed by George Abbott and Jerome Robbins
–> Based on the 1953 novel 7 1/2 cents by by Richard Bissell and George Abbott
–> Based on Labor Unions
What are some of the main influences of The Pajama Game
–> Vaudeville
–> Working class people
–> American Politics
–> Charlie Chaplin (costuming
–> Personal life & training
–> Collaboration with Abbott & Robbins
–> Jack Cole
What else did George Abbot Direct
–> On the Town 1944
–> Damn Yankees 1955
What’s the costuming like within the number Steam Heat
–> Charlie Chaplin inspired
–> Black suits (trousers and blazer)
–> Black jazz shoes
–> White collared shirt
–> Red bow tie
–> Black bowler hat
–> Costumes reflects rich people even though the factory is supporting and championing the lower class
What the impact of Fosse’s work on The Pajama Games
–> Enabled Fosse to collaborate with Abbott a year later on Damn Yankees
–> The start of Fosse’s success - his style was recognised
–> Reflected and supported american politics & economy at the time
What are some key themes within the section Steam Heat
–> Gender Equality (costuming)
–> Excessive fuel consumption
–> Public awareness
–> Performing
What’s a key motif within the section Steam Heat
In unison, the 3 dancers stand centre stage in a horizontal line facing stage right while holding their hats with their upstage hand into their chest. They extend their arms out in front of them in a smooth manner while the downstage arm remains down by their side while creating a hissing noise with their mouth, reflecting the smoothness and noise created as smoke flows out of a steam train during fuel combustion.
What was Bob Fosse’s style
–> Inverted / turnt in knees and toes
–> Curved shoulders
–> Egg cup hands
–> Hip rolls and thrusts
–> Jazz hands, splayed fingers
–> Clear and sharp movements
–> Sultry dynamic throughout
–> Use of props
–> Theatrical
What was Bob Fosse’s background
–> Did a Vaudeville circuit as a child
–> His arthritis influenced his unique dance style
What were some of Jerome Robbin’s influences
–> Gluck Sandor - first mentor
–> George Balanchine - choreographed ballet Russes and has a neoclassical style in his ballet works
Who composed the music was Jerome Robbins works
Leonard Bernstein - composed music for Fancy Free Ballet and West Side Story
What was Jerome Robbins dance style
–> Use of ballet, modern, jazz, interpretive and other dance forms to make his movement style difficult to characterise
–> Naturalism
–> Real people - works notable for their humanity
–> Use of energy - Cool
–> Atmosphere
–> Humour
–> Musically driven
What impact did Jerome Robbins have on the development of American Jazz
–> Fancy Free Ballet lifted spirits during the world war.
–> Developed American jazz by focussing on a hybrid style of jazz and later developed the triple threat performer
–> Focuses on American subjects
When was the Fancy Free Ballet created by Jerome Robbins
1944
What were some origins of the Fancy Free Ballet
–> Told to think ‘small’ from Ballet Theatre
–> Wanted to create something with an American theme with American music
–> Oliver Smith a collaborator on Fancy Free knew Leonard Bernstein - the start of their collaboration of Bernstein creating music for majority of Robbins works
What were some influences for the creation of the Fancy Free Ballet
–> Dance training background
–> Leonard Bernstein - composer - collaborated many times after this
–> WW2
–> Sailors
–> Variety of dance styles
–> American themes
What are some key dance styles within the Fancy Free Ballet
–> Character driven
–> Naturalism - i.e dance emerging from a walk
–> Jazz
–> Ballet
–> Latin
–> Gestural
–> Pedestrian
–> Theatrical
–> Comedy
What was the impact of Fancy Free Ballet on the development of American Jazz
–> It was a breakthrough - lifted people up during WW2
–> Was a hit for American Ballet Theatre
–> Ballet became a musical ‘On the Town ‘ in 1944 - Smith’s idea
–> Helped establish Bernstein as a composer and Oliver Smith as set designer
–> Modern feel to ballet
How do the 3 soloists differ in dance styles and which dance styles do they represent. Give a movement example
The sailors personalities are based off Jerome himself and his friends.
–> First solo - cocky, very jazz based to show this (box jumps, splits, theatrical , high energy, fist pump at the end - shows he is a man ect)
–> Second solo - shy, more balletic and softer dynamic (attitude turns, develope’s, arms behind his back - keeping to himself ect)
–> Third solo - based off Robbins acts as the leader of the group, more confident and happy, latin infused (Claps, slicks, arm gestures, motif repetition, found sound - hitting the table ect)
What are the costumes within Fancy Free Ballet
–> They wear sailor suits (all white trousers, long sleeved shirt with black tie loosely tied around their neck
–> Black jazz shoes
–> They all wear their hats slightly differently to distinguish their different characters
What are some features of Latin Dance
–> Fast and fiery dynamics
–> Salsa - hip movements
–> Rhythmic
–> Accents, syncopated ect
–> Energetic Footwork
When and who created WSS
Choreographed by Jerome Robbins
1961
