Fosse/Verdon

"Fosse/Verdon," a miniseries on the FX cable network, is a well above-average show business biopic starring Sam Rockwell (Oscar winner, "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri") as director-choreographer Bob Fosse, and Michelle Williams ("Manchester By the Sea," "My Week with Marilyn," four-time Oscar nominee) as actress and dancer Gwen Verdon.

Rockwell and Williams, actors who can each change their screen personas dramatically, bring an authenticity both ebullient and tormented to the story of the legendary couple's troubled personal and professional relationship.

Set against faithfully restaged moments from their stage and movie hits, productions ranging from "Damn Yankees" and "Sweet Charity" to "Cabaret," the miniseries does what show business has always done enthusiastically, and well -- turn inward, both celebrating and condemning itself in an almost voyeuristic way.

The show biz odds and ends presented here and there are accurate, but later generations who weren't around when Fosse and Verdon were in their prime producing these hits will unquestionably view the pair's work in an entirely different light after viewing this miniseries, which in some ways seems unfortunate. It could color and taint one's appreciation of their undeniable individual brilliance.

You'll have to decide whether that's something you want to do, but either way, there's no denying this is a top-notch effort in exploring who they were and what went on behind the scenes. It begs the question of how performers can so compartmentalize, performing at such a high level even as their personal lives are in tatters.

The 1979 theatrical release "All That Jazz," a popular and critically acclaimed semi-autobiographical musical drama directed by Fosse, inspired by his manic effort to edit his film "Lenny" while simultaneously staging the 1975 Broadway musical "Chicago," is bigger and splashier, but this production (based on Sam Wasson's much-praised biography, "Fosse") cuts closer to the bone, probably because both central characters are gone now (Fosse died in 1987, Verdon in 2000).

Expect to hear about "Fosse/Verdon" at awards time, and deservedly so.

'Razzle Dazzle' Two of the most gifted artists of the time - choreographer/dance/director Bob Fosse and actress/dancer Gwen Verdon - are brought to life in this exceptional miniseries FOSSE/VERDON - a title that could just as easily been VERDON/FOSSE, so intertwined and interdependent were these two extraordinary people. Michelle Williams is pitch-perfect as Verdon - in looks, amazingly fine dancing and body movement and acting, and Sam Rockwell is equally impressive as Fosse, again able to dance extremely well and act a difficult part of a man at odds with his inclinations.

The series becomes a bit disconcerting at times, due to the seemingly haphazard fast forward and fast backward at crucial moments in the depicting the rocky relationship and marriage as Fosse and Verdon grow and deflate as a couple, in life and on stage. Fosse's genius is abetted by Verdon's input and influence, making the viewer at times puzzled as to the primary force in their position as pioneers in American entertainment.

The assorted entourage of actors portraying the people involved in the couple's lives offers strong support and the performing aspects of the songs and dance numbers exhumes great memories of shows such as CABARET, DAMN YANKEES, SWEET CHARITY. CAN-CAN, CHICAGO, and ALL THAT JAZZ. The psychological problems these two encounter are many, but Williams and Rockwell make them all credible. This is a fine biographical, musically enhanced 'docudrama.'

I knew about Bob Fosse as a choreographer but had no idea he was such a talented dancer. Both protagonists are spot on in their performances. Michelle Williams is incredible. You can't see any differences and the real Verdon if you watch original footage of Verdon dancing.

As an Astaire enthusiast I never thought that I would say Fosse was better although he did copy many of Astaire's moves.

Anyone who loves dance and musicals will love this series.

For anyone who has seen and enjoyed the 1979 semi-autobiographical film directed by Fosse, starring Roy Schneider and Fosse's last partner, Ann Reinking, this series will flesh out the saga. Rockwell and Williams do great turns as the titular characters, and the supporting cast playing so many luminaries of the stage and screen is both educational and entertaining.

Partly due to the non-linear timeline of this series, I think it helps if the viewer is familiar with the work of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. My introduction came during the Broadway run of "Dancin' ", the amazing dance revue that inspired my love of Broadway, musical theater, and the style of Bob Fosse.

After watching the first two episodes, I am pleasantly surprised, due especially to the performance by Michelle Williams (Verdon). She seems to embody Verdon, even to the point that any issues I have with her representation of the dancing are merely quibbles. She conveys the nuances of the Fosse dance mannerisms and the subtleties of a woman who led a confused life under the influence of the infuriating Fosse.

Sam Rockwell delivers a convincing depiction of Fosse. I prefer it to the Roy Scheider portrayal in "All That Jazz". Rockwell's Fosse is meticulous, quiet, emotionally distant and possessing a ruthless honesty that manages to betray him when personal relationships get tough.

The show demonstrates the unique language of dance and style that Verdon and Fosse shared. Fosse had an addictive personality, so it is no surprise that their relationship revolved around the muse-meal ticket disjunction. Other productions have focused on a woman's love for a flawed man. "Fosse/Verdon" tells the same story and is quite believable. She clearly loves him more than he loves himself.

As with the TV show "Smash", I love the behind the scenes look at the creative processes and the personality conflicts.

Watch for Paul Reiser as Cy Feuer. In upcoming episodes, I am looking forward to the portrayal of Ann Reinking, among others.