Fosse/Verdon (2019) - An Overlooked Miniseries

“Don’t dance for yourself, dance for the audience.” Bob Fosse (1927 - 1987)

Fosse/Verdon is a 2019 FX drama miniseries about the troubled romance and creative partnership of acclaimed Hollywood stars Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Their glowing Broadway successes don’t match the darkness nobody saw offstage.

I am so happy that I found this series. Yet again, I had to dig into the museum of underrated gems; otherwise, I never would have found it. Fosse/Verdon is a reflective look into the entertainment industry. Despite the glamour and successes, Fosse/Verdon explores the darkness of addictions, failed romance, and struggles in fame.

Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams, two incredibly talented actors, star as Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. The performances, research, and training they put into these performances are impeccable.

I have always been a fan of Sam Rockwell’s work. Thanks to my list of Sam-Rockwell-films-to-watch, this series would have passed my radar. Rockwell is a multi-talented actor with an astounding range in comedy, drama, and musicality. Fosse was a struggling and flawed man who was an expert in the entertainment industry.

Michelle Williams is another talented actress, and here, she completely disappears into the role. I forgot this was her. I’ve had some mixed opinions on Williams’ past portrayals because she is typecast as the overly dramatic woman with emotional instability.

Williams' role as Gwen Verdon is a break from that. Williams embodies Verdon’s charisma, creative instincts, and silent jealousy she felt for Fosse’s triumphs. She also showcases dance and singing expertise that I didn’t know Williams had.

One of the best parts of the media is seeing actors who are now gaining prominence in their careers. Margaret Qualley stars as Anne, one of Fosse’s open affairs. Her performance may look like freshman quality, but one scene beautifully showcases Qualley’s step into acting.

A strong supporting cast adds to the miniseries. Cedits include Norbert Leo Butz, Aya Cash, Blake Baumgartner, Juliet Brett, Jake Lacy, Rick Holmes, Emily Dorsche, and several others playing famous actors. The dancers were said to have gone through a “Fosse technique bootcamp.”

Steven Levenson and Thomas Kail did a remarkable job recapturing the world of two famous individuals. When I say they did their homework, they did just that. They researched everything about the lives of the stars and collected personal items to help in the process.

They crafted this series into something more, instead of making it an average biography. Their original intent was to only focus on Fosse, until they decided that Verdon was just as important.

Audiences are brought into the vibrant world of Broadway through cinematography, dance rehearsals, and more. The dance sequences were my favorite. The camera moves like a dancer, sharp with intention, and modeling the stress of perfection.

Nicole Fosse, the daughter of Fosse and Verdon, was a co-executive producer. She helped recreate her father’s dances, and archival footage was used. Authenticity is a major factor when it comes to any project like this. Everyone involved stayed true to the story.

When you look at a picture of your favorite celebrity, you’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Tragedy, stress, and pressure are big parts of the entertainment industry. With series like Fosse/Verdon, it takes the facts that were left off the stage and portrays a story we all need.

For those who are fans of Broadway history, Fosse/Verdon is the series for you. I wish I could go back and watch it for the first time again. I couldn’t wait to watch each episode. Fosse/Verdon is an enjoyable, lively, and splendid series. You can find it on Hulu.