Welcome to the Routine Rewind series on the Diamond Dolls blog! We will be taking a look back at some of our past routines and giving them a historical and cultural context covering things from song inspirations, artist highlights, discussing the origins of the dance styles, and more. Join us on the first of every month right here to follow this new series.
This month we are taking a look back at our routines “Broadway” from 2015 and “Show Stoppers” from 2017 choreographed by Lark Mervine.
The Diamond Dolls perform Broadway - Photo: Morgan Petroski
Lark Mervine’s love for musical theatre inspired her to choreograph both of these routines. In 2015 she choreographed her first musical theatre-inspired number for the Dolls to “Roxie” from the hit musical Chicago.
Chicago, the longest-running American musical in Broadway history, is based on a 1926 play about actual criminals and features the work of John Kander (American composer), Fred Ebb (American lyricist), and Bob Fosse (American dancer).
Kander and Ebb as they were often referred to together, collaborated for over 40-years and produced scores for many successful musicals and films. When the two met in 1964, their styles and personalities meshed so well they started writing music together. The duo won their first Tony Award in 1966 for Cabaret and went on to win several other awards individually and as a team. In 2003 they received an Academy Award nomination for “I Move On” in the film adaptation of Chicago (which also happened to win six Oscars that year, including best picture).
Composer John Kander (left) and lyricist Fred Ebb (right) are shown at the piano at Ebb’s New York City apartment on Feb. 25, 1991. Associated Press
Chicago’s choreographer, Bob Fosse, forever changed the way audiences viewed dancers on the stage and in film. Fosse’s first full choreographed show was in 1954’s The Pajama Game. The show made Fosse an overnight success and highlighted his inimitable choreographic style: sexually suggestive hip thrusts, humorously hunched shoulders, turned-in feet, and mime-like articulation of the hands.
The Diamond Dolls performed to the tune “Roxie” recorded by Renée Zellweger in the 2002 film adaptation of the musical Chicago. Heavily influenced by renowned choreographer, Bob Fosse, “Roxie” strives to cultivate the true essence of Broadway - JAZZ HANDS!
Bob Fosse leads dancers for the musical Pleasures and Palaces, which he directed in 1965. Getty Images
Cole Porter wrote the music and lyrics for Anything Goes, a musical based on the play by Guy Bolton & P.G. Wodehouse (revised and adapted for stage by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse). The musical premiered on Broadway in 1934 and was quickly picked up for the film adaptation in 1936 starring Bing Crosby, Ethel Merman, and Charles Ruggles.
Cole Porter in 1954. Photo credit unknown
Cole Porter learned to play piano and violin at the early age of six and began composing as early as 10. Porter attended Yale University and would later go on to credit some of his musical influence and development to the full scale production design for the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, the Yale Dramatic Association, and solo performances in the Yale Glee Club. His first Broadway show was See America First in 1916, and ultimately was dubbed a flop. Despite living a rather tumultuous life, Porter experienced a large amount of musical success. The popularity of his songs lasted far beyond the shows they were in. Many of his most famous songs were presented in the context of musicals or movies, and through that exposure were later recorded by popular singers such as Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Songs such as “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love),” and many more have proven to be timeless classics.
Robert Alton and Greta Garbo in MGM’s Two-Faced Woman (1940). Courtesy of Larry Billman/Academy of Dance on Film
Robert Alton was the choreographer for the debut of Anything Goes in 1934. Alton was a major figure in dance on Broadway and Hollywood. He is often remembered for his discovery of Gene Kelly, his collaborations with Fred Astaire, and for his famous choreography on stage and screen. He is also credited with transforming Broadway choreography by breaking up traditional chorus lines to feature soloists and small groups, and his musical staging was celebrated for its elegance and attention to detail.
The Diamond Dolls performed to the title song, “Anything Goes” in the 2017 session, “Show Stoppers.” This flapper number brings together Lark’s love of musical theatre and memories from her marching band days. Incorporating movements ranging from an air-trombone section, to classic 1920's Charleston and African American Vernacular Jazz Dance.
The Diamond Dolls perform Showstoppers
Watch the Dolls perform!!
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Sources-
http://broadwaymusicalhome.com/shows/chicago.htm
http://broadwaymusicalhome.com/shows/anythinggoes.htm
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kander-and-Ebb
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/stars/bob-fosse/