This fifth episode of Fosse/Verdon is an extended conversation in a rented home on Southampton, located on the South Fork of Long Island along the beautiful shoreline famously known as the Hamptons. In a beautiful beach hideaway, Bob Fosse has gathered with his old buddies Neil Simon and Paddy Chayefvsky. Gwen brings along her beau Ron and little Nicole Providence Fosse. Bob has a new girlfriend in dancer Anne Reinking. Reinking had four marriages, none of which was to Bob Fosse, and this program offers an interpretation of why that relationship never led to holy matrimony.
Bob Fosse spent a grand total of six days in the Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic. The beginning of the program depicts a nearly catatonic Fosse who, according to Gwen, "could not string two words together" at the time. The docs wanted him to remain in the facility for a month and then take a year off work. The program makes it clear that Fosse had no intention of following doctors orders, as he undertakes the direction of both a film ("Lenny") and another stage musical ("Chicago").
The episode presents a side of Gwen Verdon that approaches the ruthlessness of Lady Macbeth, as she coerces her fragile ex-husband into helming the "Chicago" production in the 46th Street Theater on Broadway. Gwen taunts and baits Bob, reminding him of past projects of "Damn Yankees," "New Girl in Town," and "Redhead" that were their previous productions in that same venerated theater.
One of the most fascinating scenes in the episode is an intense discussion about "Lenny." Paddy and Gwen suggest that the story of Lenny Bruce is a non-starter as a film, due to the depressing content. But Bob makes a spirited argument about the message and relevance of the film, based on the Julian Barry stage play. It is still a topic worthy of debate. But what is not debatable is Fosse's brilliant direction of Dustin Hoffman in a film that still has a virtual cult audience.
In this episode, Michelle Williams makes a valiant attempt to sing Verdon's song "Where Am I Going?" from "Sweet Charity," but the rendition falls somewhat flat. Her stronger work is in delivering a cutthroat counter-attack that leads Bob to capitulate and agree to direct "Chicago."
In the most hair-raising moment of the program, Gwen takes little Annie aside to give her the "advice" that the greatest benefits she can reap from years spent on Bob Fosse's casting couch in the dynamic roles that Gwen herself earned through hard labor. The program closes at picturesque Southampton with the countdown to Bob's heart attack to come in thirteen months.
Bob Fosse spent a grand total of six days in the Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic. The beginning of the program depicts a nearly catatonic Fosse who, according to Gwen, "could not string two words together" at the time. The docs wanted him to remain in the facility for a month and then take a year off work. The program makes it clear that Fosse had no intention of following doctors orders, as he undertakes the direction of both a film ("Lenny") and another stage musical ("Chicago").
The episode presents a side of Gwen Verdon that approaches the ruthlessness of Lady Macbeth, as she coerces her fragile ex-husband into helming the "Chicago" production in the 46th Street Theater on Broadway. Gwen taunts and baits Bob, reminding him of past projects of "Damn Yankees," "New Girl in Town," and "Redhead" that were their previous productions in that same venerated theater.
One of the most fascinating scenes in the episode is an intense discussion about "Lenny." Paddy and Gwen suggest that the story of Lenny Bruce is a non-starter as a film, due to the depressing content. But Bob makes a spirited argument about the message and relevance of the film, based on the Julian Barry stage play. It is still a topic worthy of debate. But what is not debatable is Fosse's brilliant direction of Dustin Hoffman in a film that still has a virtual cult audience.
In this episode, Michelle Williams makes a valiant attempt to sing Verdon's song "Where Am I Going?" from "Sweet Charity," but the rendition falls somewhat flat. Her stronger work is in delivering a cutthroat counter-attack that leads Bob to capitulate and agree to direct "Chicago."
In the most hair-raising moment of the program, Gwen takes little Annie aside to give her the "advice" that the greatest benefits she can reap from years spent on Bob Fosse's casting couch in the dynamic roles that Gwen herself earned through hard labor. The program closes at picturesque Southampton with the countdown to Bob's heart attack to come in thirteen months.
