Immortal Icons of Dance

In this episode, Lisa Mordente talks about meeting Bob Fosse as a teenager, and watching her mother, Chita Rivera, rehearse and perform in Chicago (1975). Lisa was the first baby born of a "Shark" and a "Jet"—her father, Tony Mordente played "A-Rab" in the original Broadway production of West Side Story, where he met Chita who was playing "Anita." Lisa recalls the backstage antics of the cast, and the inspiration she found in watching Gwen Verdon and her mother perform together.

Additional Resources:
The Vault
Additional Chicago Footage
Chita: A Memoir by Chita Rivera

In this episode, Marsha Bagwell tells us about her time in the original cast of Chicago (1975) as the standby for Matron Mama Morton and Mary Sunshine. Marsha became Gwen Verdon's personal assistant during the production and was privy to many private conversations regarding the show. She shares unparalleled insight on Bob Fosse's process, Gwen Verdon's generosity, and the quirks and personalities of the entire cast.

The Vault
Additional Chicago Footage

In this episode, Lenora Nemetz discusses working with Bob Fosse as the standby for both Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera in Chicago (1975). She recalls going on for Gwen as "Roxie" during the out-of-town try-out without any rehearsals. Lenora also took over the role "Velma" full time after Chita left the show and Ann Reinking joined as Roxie.

Additional Resources:
The Vault Blog Posts
⁠Chicago History YouTube Playlist⁠

In this episode, we hear from Pamela Sousa who was an ensemble member in the original cast of Bob Fosse's 1975 musical Chicago, starring Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera. Later, she performed in Michael Bennet's A Chorus Line as a Cassie replacement. Pamela shares her experiences working with both of these legendary choreographers.

Additional Resources:
Visit the Vault - Chicago 50th Anniversary
Chicago 50th YouTube Playlist
Chita: A Memoir by Chita Rivera
Kander & Ebb Memoir
FOSSE by Sam Wasson

In the episode, Jessica Lee Goldyn discusses her early experiences learning A Chorus Line as a child, training with Baayork Lee and Donna McKechnie, and performing Cassie in the closing week of the 2006 Broadway Revival of a A Chorus Line.

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