Nowadays / Hot Honey Rag - Fosse - Chicago

Meg Gillentine and Dana Moore perform "Nowadays" and "Hot Honey Rag" from the Broadway revue "Fosse". This piece was adapted from "Chicago."
We originally posted these as two separate numbers, but they definitely belong together.
0:00 Nowadays
3:27 Hot Honey Rag
These excerpts are from the highly recommended 2002 DVD "Fosse". View more excerpts at www.theBestArts.com/Fosse/
Browse our website at www.theBestArts.com for more great dance, music and musical theatre performances.

[@sailormewprincess]

Despite growing up with the movie, I absolutely love Fosse's choreography. I actually saw a production of Chicago and was highly disappointed with the fact that they didn't use Fosse's original choreography.

[@susanpayer3472]

They just did Chicago at one of our local repertory theaters, and it was...good. It had some good moments, especially when Roxy is monologuing before her self-titled song...but the choreography was massively dumbed-down, and at a couple of points, the actors/dancers seemed to be phoning it in. I was kind of disappointed, after having been to it in NYC a couple of years ago.

[@susanpayer3472]

I'm not sure I understand you. The Broadway show of Dancin' was cancelled because smaller companies couldn't do it? Or some small company cancelled a planned production because they couldn't find dancers to replicate the choreography? As I recall, the original production ran on Broadway for a fair time...at least a year, didn't it? I remember the NYT ads. I was too young to make it to the City or I'd have seen it for SURE!

[@JudgeJulieLit]

That must have been as core soul and identity stripped as would be (Terpsichore forbid) a production of Oklahoma or Carousel without the choreography of Agnes de Mille.

[@Jay-qh6uv]

As someone who also grew up with the movie (saw it at 13, it was love at first sight), my first thought when seeing bits of the stage version and the choreography was "this sucks". Then it grew on me and grew on me and now I love it.

[@clotildebesson1991]

This version is much funnier than the movie's because the steps are tiny and discreet yet sassy and very professional! I definitely love this version

[@gabrielcoronado6395]

I can’t tell, because I felt asleep...

[@peerah]

I was massively disappointed that the movie did not use this choreography for Hot Honey Rag.

[@sammyyiieiieieieie]

@@peerah they didn't change it totally, if I may say so. There were still touches of the original choreography in the movie version of Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag.

[@jazzyjaz9108]

I've gotta say the movie version gave me life! But I really like this too

[@hksmurfette]

I was just thinking that. The hot honey rag in the movie is pitiful compared to the original Fosse version. These ladies are amazing.

[@JadeNygren]

Men. Jazz. Booze. Life. Joy. Sound absolutely perfect.

[@vinnieandhispizza6299]

Until you get to the murder part

[@fizzao1342]

Chicago is my go to musical if I feel down. It’s so tongue in cheek. I went to an amateur show where I live in the U.K. last night and there were so many modern/commercial numbers that were direct steals from Bob Fosse. I was actually counting them. He would be so pleased because he always said that imitation was the sincerest form of flattery. I think it’s safe to say he has influenced all theatre dance everywhere.

[@mhazenm]

Ugh... I LOVE this. Wish the movie kept this choreo because original Fosse choreography is where it's at.

[@annabellethedoll4032]

There was a live concert September 28, 1998, "My Favorite Broadway: Leading Ladies" and Karen Ziemba and Bebe Neuwirth performed these two numbers, and I loved that performance! These two here are also very good!

[@bellebeauty67]

Outrageously radiant!! My SPIRIt IS SOARING!!!!!!!!!

[@mindy56374]

I've watched Fosse so many times and Meg Guillantine remains my fave

[@snowlinewest1321]

Totally agree. Meg Guillantine is the 'Cyd Charisse' of Fosse...sharp, crisp and elegant all while not extending "too much".

[@mindy56374]

@@snowlinewest1321 She's also got some Verdon-esque goofiness going on :)

[@snowlinewest1321]

@@mindy56374 She does...Meg is very expressive facially in both this number and in the "Steam Heat" group...a real standout! You know as a kid "Damn Yankees" was the first vinyl LP I bought...set me back a "fortune" in 1961-ish like $2.00 I played it non-stop!! Then watched the movie with equal interest. Even at that age I saw that Gwen could do the 'sluttiest' of Fosse moves with a fun-loving child-like innocence and spirit that made them "G"-rated. True comedic talent...miss her!

[@mindy56374]

@@snowlinewest1321 That's an amazing memory, WOW! Steam Heat is my fave number in this whole amazing show. And Gwen's spirit and style are as much a part of it as Fosse's. She contributed so much to his work and, even now, anyone that watches her dance can see how her various talents converged to make a complete genius and a theatrical one-off. No one quite like her. But Meg has a special magic too!

[@Makeji]

Best rendition I've ever seen. Zeta-Jones was a dancer, but Zellweger wasn't a trained dancer and wouldn't have been able to do the Fosse choreography. This is so much more satisfying.

[@masefu0]

One of the best sequences I´ve ever seen....great music, great dancers.....

[@hellosunshine305]

Best version I've ever seen BY FAR.

[@jadioguardi]

WOW!! Beautiful Dana Moore: I had the pleasure of dancing with her back in the late '60s/early '70s in western PA, and I'm not surprised to find that her talent (and hard work) landed her on the stage and in the spotlight. Seeing her perform numbers from a fave show of mine has made my day! And it's one of the best renditions I've seen, featuring authentic Fosse choreography and refined, fluid movement. (And you'd have to be blind to not appreciate both ladies' gorgeous legs.) Brava!!

[@selja26]

Was she about 50 y.o. in this production? Gorgeous lady.

[@jadioguardi]

@@selja26 It says "Chicago 1975" on the video, so IF that means this performance took place in 1975, Dana would have been around 19-21 years old (if memory serves). As to the other performer, I have no idea.

[@selja26]

@@jadioguardi The video is from 2001 ("Fosse on Broadway" production) but I get your idea. You were very lucky indeed! The other dancer is Meg Gillentine.

[@jadioguardi]

@@selja26 That date makes more sense to me. Thank you for noting it and for naming the other wonderful performer. Yes, I was very lucky!

[@aaronford2184]

If you watch closely there's tiny discrepancies between the two of them. While Meg adds grace to each moment and follows through with every hand and leg movement, Dana has been doing Fosse choreo for much longer. It makes you wonder which one is "right".

[@janwintz8372]

Aaron Ford who are these dancers?? sooo FABULOUS!! Jan

[@janwintz8372]

especially the one on the left (red hair?) Jan so glad someone here mentioned karen ziemba cuz i couldn't think of her name and she is who i was looking for!!!

[@katetheduckling]

@@janwintz8372 I might be wrong but I think that the red haired one is mary ann lamb

[@xak999]

They're both right. They're different characters and their individual idiosynchronies would show.

[@snowlinewest1321]

@@katetheduckling Meg Gillentine..brilliant in all regards!

[@elodi_rose]

That's a Fosse cut leotard! His choreography and his costumes!

[@sammyyiieiieieieie]

Ann Reinking had a similar costume in one of the musical numbets in All That Jazz. In yet another show, a TV guesting, Ann wore still the dame cut under some stripes of skirt. Which also reminds me of Catherine Zeta Jones' costumes in the film adaptation, the design was also reminiscent of these ones.

[@oofahman]

The naysayers here obviously have no dance experience whatsoever. Pitiful. Bob Fosse was a choreography and dancing genius!

[@shannonmercier4229]

This is Ann's choreo

[@chrissi2810]

+Shannon Mercier Nowadays is Fosse's original choreography, the Honey Rag is Ann Reinking's remake (of which she always claims that it's also Bob Fosse's original steps).

[@oofahman]

yes

[@hilljayne]

It's the same choreography from the original.

[@oofahman]

sure is!:)

[@pieraavaresAlvares]

Stupendo, non mi stanco mai di vederlo

[@janwintz8372]

these dancers are FABULOUS!!

[@designgreg]

@kralahome Actually, they are astonishingly together MOST of the time. It's just when they are the tiniest bit off it shows so obviously. I guess the routine was choreographed to go with Velma's line about the act with her sister- "And THIS, we did in PERFECT UNISON." It's so unusual to see a Fosse dance with two people side by side doing exactly the same thing....

[@GraceMariMusic]

Damn that takes skill doing a cartwheel in those outfilts......

[@keauxgeigh]

thanks for combining these two pieces, they really belong together. I really have to buy this DVD.

[@Rocketjay12]

Check out the Bebe Neuwirth/Karen Ziemba version. They are perfectly matched and so "Fosse-like" you'd swear he rehearsed them himself.

[@JudgeJulieLit]

Bebe's dancing, like 1940s Eleanor Powell's, is always tekno korrect, but (like her brilliantly deadpan Lilith character in Frazier, there spoofed as such) lacks emanative emotive verve, the sexual dynamism of a devil-may-care Zeta-Jones, Shirley MacLaine or Liza Minnelli.

[@MrRedstardude]

I find it intriguing that America swung from overt libertine sexuality in the 1970s to neo-puritism within only a few years.Even today those costumes are risque.

[@JudgeJulieLit]

+MrRedstardude Thanks to the 1981-fwd public puritan prudery of the faded Hollywood libertine duo in the White House.

[@NortonsNestMonthly]

You can thank the Christian Right and Republicans for that.

[@ophiliac4536]

Ronald Reagan

[@bob494949]

@@NortonsNestMonthly it was very Puritan in the 40s and 50s and a Republicans had nothing to do with it. Read a book, moron.

[@Dwight55100]

@@bob494949 It's their reality-defying narrative, bob494949. Conservatives and Republicans must be responsible for some (largely imaginary) new puritanism because, well -- because that's what those people do, right? ... Take away peoples' fun! Ronnie and Nancy and their Conservative minions put the kibosh on the free-wheeling hookup culture of the 60s and 70s - and ordered Broadway costume designers back to the drawing board, to boot! No history, logic, context or facts needed.

[@nanezur]

FANTASTIC nowdays DANCERS, last but not least a very very charming ladies. Only regret that Bob Fosse was not phisyically attending this big performance

[@robertobordino7141]

Awesome.... So perfect. Thanks

[@mannymontgomery9807]

Hot Honey Rag is the best!! I love Fosse!!

[@DanielBuentello]

Maravillosas!!! Con toda la gracias y el estilo...

[@bmyra]

Ya know, that might just be the best Hot Honey Rag I've ever seen.

[@meredithchandler73]

I still greatly prefer Bebe Neuwirth and Karen Ziemba performing this for My Favorite Broadway: Leading Ladies.

[@TheAuroraBallerina]

Dana Moore is truly brilliant!

[@jjtruth3507]

Rivera & Verdon.

[@doodad77]

Slinky, aren't they? Like these ladies yet still reminded of Gwen.

[@rutha1464]

Well, it's been "fifty years" Mr. Ebb, and nothing's changed!

[@lizlilian35]

GREAT PERFORMANCE!!

[@bellebeauty67]

Sublime!!'

[@miguelaguirremessina4042]

GREAT HONEY....!!!!. SO GREAT....!!!. AND THANKS...!!!, THANKS AT LOT....!!!.

[@unclealand]

Nice to see REAL dancers doing this right.

[@facedown8069]

unclealand ooft there was no need to be shady

[@skybreaker09]

they've got some KILLER legs!!

[@rachelle_banks]

Alright now, ladies! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@mikegarcia7986]

fantastic!!

[@HasYourHeart]

SO GOOD

[@afrias48]

AMAZING

[@lindaljune23]

Love it!

[@TotallyRandom6353]

yes fosse style dancing every move has to be exactly perfect

[@Layla19951]

I love Jazz music!!!!!

[@nabettina]

awesome!!!!!!!!!!

[@marmencal]

MARAVILHOSAS

[@robertobordino7141]

perfect..... wow

[@Dynaah]

there is nothin' like a great set of legs...here it is times 2!!

[@smallpotato5445]

Our school did Chicago. When I first watched this I was like eh. When I had to do it for a school production I was like HOLY SHIT THIS IS HARD

[@sammyyiieiieieieie]

Yeah these two ladies made it look so easy

[@kotlcbooknerd885]

My school is Doing it right now our show is in a week and I am so glad that I didn’t try for Roxie or Velma because I could not do hot honey rag I can barely do razzle dazzle I got off easy with being bandleader aka ensemble #whatever the number is and I just get to introduce songs and be in the bigger dance numbers

[@em90919293]

yeahh this is greaat!1

[@Bjorkoulis]

Dana Rocks! Weehee!

[@timothycicirella3393]

I was puzzled as to whether this was the ORIGINAL Fosse choreography or the Ann Reinking "reinterpretation" per the "Fosse" show. There is a KZbin clip of Gwen & Chita doing the ORIGINAL Fosse steps so this was clearly Ann Reinking's version.

[@susanpayer3472]

You're wrong. This was done in 1977 or 78. It's pretty much the original. I'm pretty sure the dancers were in the original production. Some things might have evolved, but this is from the original show. It even states it at the beginning of the tape. Edit: Doing a side-by-side comparison, this is almost EXACTLY the same steps that Chita and Gwen did! There are a coupe of spots where the originals march, but these two strut, a little differently, and there is a spot where they mirror, rather than doing exactly the same (facing the same direction), but basically, same thing. Hard to see why you think it's different. Hot Honey is a tiny bit slower, and there's a couple of tiny variations, and there's a coda, right before the cartwheels, where they might have added a measure, but that's about it. And Anne Reingking, having been in on the choreographing of the original show, "reinterpreted" it, as pretty much the original. I have seen the revival. Hard to tell the difference, really. Some of his original shows, you can tell have been re-choreographed, keeping some elements that show his teaching, but this is pretty much the real deal. The only thing Anne did to muff things up was to blow a line on the album. Drives me crazy every time! Oh, and her accent was atrocious! I'm sure it was still a treat to see her do the role live!

[@carcinocatnip7044]

this is def my fav version of nowadays/hot honey rag

[@jojotheoj]

Wow that was fast! Incredible

[@unclealand]

So much sexier and fluid than Bebe Neuwirth's. And neither of them sing out of the side of their mouths. Real dancers, and I bet they weren't hard to work with.

[@katelyndietz]

not sure which one the red head was, but overall she was better. her moves were sharper and right on the beat...

[@XxMissNoNamexX]

I wish they had the period accurate costumes. :(

[@Rbkid2008]

Dana Moore is the best

[@janwintz8372]

deanielamborghini is dana moore the name of one of these dancers?? who are they??? they're STUNNING!!! Jan

[@jesushatesyoutoo]

@GreenTeaGirl17 I think Fosse would have loved it that way!

[@KellyDurgan]

This is the choreo they did with the Broadway Backwards/Equity Fights AIDS performance in 2014

[@pabzthename]

@beydv check the glee version. I liked it, but too much of it was off..they werent in sych all throughout

[@bluedancelilly]

So great. But nothing beats the movie version in 2002.

[@cameronreid1296]

Interesting how they did the original nowadays choreography but the Ann Reinking revival hot honey rag

[@oofahman]

Wow, Sharon, a little obssessed with these ladies, aren't you? Hmmmm

[@noriqiri]

what does this mean im scared

[@Drblooter99]

Not well coordinated between them.

[@kiranjitKaur61]

Hmmm.

[@Montimon]

:O De bob Fosse

[@larkinsmithtube]

I wish the director knew the routine a bit better. They missed some of the best elements by using a close-up when should have gone wide

[@snowlinewest1321]

Bet you mean the "knees inverted side step " (or whatever it is called) got to see the full legs turned in to appreciate.

[@bluedemon8977]

Colofox!

[@kmt71990]

i don't like their outfits :( but their choreography is still amazing :)

[@a.k9676]

What's a Hot Honey Rag..?

[@selja26]

It's a ragtime tune called "Hot Honey". Ragtimes can have such weird titles. My favourite is Pineapple rag.

[@JCarlosCS1221]

Colofox!!!!!!!!!!!

[@citlalizamora998]

:O

[@stanochocki8984]

Not Bad...but the costumes are a 'BIT-TOO, TOO MUCH'. But would love to see an 'All Male' version of this play...just wondered who the two Males would be doing the Nowadays/ Hot Honey Rag...Any Clues out there?

[@nadioluvz]

EEEsnt

[@firestar070]

Kinda wish the girls had shorts or a skirt on but still, who doesn't love this song!

[@goddessoflove4ever]

that is unkind and uncalled for they have good enough voices and ur just to blinded by the movie to see real talent. not saying that i don't like the movie that's one of my all time favorites but you need to respect the classics man!

[@ostimeg]

This is sorta lacklustre, ain'tit, compared to his other stuff? Jumps bamps wows and all that, and this is sorta "yes we're moving, it's dancing enough."

[@aimeemassage1]

You do know that's Bob Fosse's original choreography, don't you? So basically you're calling one of the greatest choreographers alive pathetic. You don't know very much about dance, do you?

[@isoldehammond23]

the singing doesn't really have any differences when they sing!u get what i mean? it's like it's the same level the whole way through! (almost like monotone! really)...............hmm gimme rutie henshall any day! lol

[@JudgeJulieLit]

+Mark McManus In the film Zeta-Jones and Zellweger brilliantly emoted their songs and dances.

[@donnawest]

That's how ti was written. Henshell (sp?) is talent but always sings in a sinister manner through gritted teeth and forced "smile". Anyone who has seen her knows what I mean.

[@mcbdpb]

ockroot --- you are a troll

[@wannabking]

No biggie. their legs are just like a mile long each. whatever.

[@aesfa56]

Much better than Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Beautiful bodies, perfect and sexy dancing. I love IT!!!!

[@billydudjoc6444]

Well....they were Fosse Girls !!!

[@yandereboyenthusiast8149]

aesfa56 I respectfully disagree.

[@fairies47]

The outfits are... weird... It's like we could see through their stockings... with nothing underneath.

[@kathleenfarris8710]

The redhead is a MUCH better dancer

[@copyright1982]

I've seen other performances with Fosse's choreography, and I have to say this really isn't his best work. Other dance numbers I've seen of his leave me in awe--this was mediocre at best. I mean, booby shaking and cartwheels? The cheeseball costumes don't help, either.

[@michaelangelo3647]

Movie was better, fight me.

[@Rocketjay12]

I agree.They're unnecessarily exposed. Looks kinda trashy.

[@GreenTeaGirl17]

Omg.. I love the routine at the end but their giant wedgies are so distracting!

[@Android2137]

Hmm... The dancing parts didn't feel... energetic to me.

[@heather23renae]

Very stiff singing and dancing in my opinion, and I don't think the style of dancing jived with style in the musical AT ALL.

[@blackmeetsred]

It's good but a tad disturbing because you can't stop looking at their wedgies and watching it makes me feel like I'm watching granny porn or something *shivers* ugh. But the performance was good if that's any consolation

[@darbyzworld]

Weak at best. Not a good salute to Fosse.