Gwen Verdon - "Walk It Out"

Someone with a lot of time on their hands realized that a vintage clip of Gwen Verdon dancing to "Mexican Breakfast" on 1960s TV synced up with the rapper Unk's single "Walk It Out." Reading the commentary, people are discussing how Beyonce emulated these steps. Homage or thief? You decide...

Here's the original:



Here's the remixed video:

Rare glimpse at the original "Chicago"

Here is some rare footage from the original 1975 production of Chicago shot during a dress rehearsal, which includes a couple minutes of "Loopin' the Loop," the original finale that would be replaced by "Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag" (and whose theme remained in the show's overture).

Gwen Verdon - "The Pony Dance"

Gwen Verdon recreates "The Pony Dance" from New Girl in Town on a 1962 television special about the American Musical Theatre. Verdon won her third Tony award (in a tie with co-star Thelma Ritter) for this musical adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's Anna Christie. Here she is assisted by the show's original choreographer, none other than Bob Fosse.

"The Quadrille"

It's not quite the real thing, but here is a glimpse into some rare Golden Age material. Gail Benedict leads a recreation of Michael Kidd's original choreography for the exuberant "Quadrille" from the 1953 musical Can-Can. Now if someone only had a preservation of the famed "Apache Dance," which prompted a tremendous mid-show ovation on opening night in NY, quelled only when Ms. Verdon appeared for a call in her bathrobe (at the insistence of producer Cy Feuer). In supporting part that egomaniacal star Lilo demand be cut down, Verdon ended up overshadowing the above the title star, walking away with the reviews and her first of four Tony awards.

Gwen Verdon & Chita Rivera: "Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag"

From The Howard Cosell Show in 1975, we get Chicago as it should be performed. (Costumes...? For real??) Can you believe it's almost eight years since we lost Gwen? Such a natural treasure. And how lucky are we that Chita is still performing? I've come to the conclusion that Ms. Rivera should receive a standing ovation any time she walks into a room. Enjoy this:



Here's another one, plus interview with Mike Douglas and Hal Linden. The two ladies are nothing short of classy and gracious. I love how proud Gwen is of her flop play, Children Children. 65 minutes, no intermission on its one and only performance. And Chita even talks about 1491, "marked down from 1776." And Jerry Orbach joins in too and performs "Razzle Dazzle."