Reviewed by Joe Blenkle/Sacramento Stage & Theatre
FOSSE, the 1999 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, brings its glitzy production to the Sacramento Community Center Theater stage through May 20.
If you're not familiar with FOSSE (the musical, not the man), don't go expecting to see a rehash of Bob Fosse's (1927-1987) life - just his incredible career.
Reva Rice stars in the national tour of FOSSE, playing through May 20 at the Community Center Theater. Photo: Joan Marcus.
FOSSE takes the form of a musical revue, with hit after Bob Fosse hit taking the stage utilizing both song and dance in glitzy production numbers.
Some of the numbers include "Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries" (from Big Deal, 1986); "Bye Bye Blackbird" (from the TV special Liza With A Z, 1972); "Big Spender" (from Sweet Charity, 1966); "Mein Herr" (from Cabaret, 1972); and many more.
If the dance numbers didn't keep you entertained, the music and singing would certainly grab yuor attention. Reva Rice opened the show and was featured for much of the production. Her voice is fantastic and she starred in the Broadway version of FOSSE before taking on the lead in the national tour. She has also starred in national and Japan tours of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE and the Las Vegas production of STARLIGHT EXPRESS.
If you're a fan of Bob Fosse, you will definitely want to take this show in. It features his famous - and not so famous works and will really give you an insight into his fabulous career which included both choreography and direction in film, stage and TV. In fact, in 1973, Fosse became the only person to win an Oscar, Tony Award and Emmy in the same year.
FOSSE performs through May 20 at the Community Center Theater, Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., with matinees Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the Community Center Theater box office, 1301 L Street (916-264-5181); the Wells Fargo Pavilion box office, 1419 H Street (916-557-1999); or Tickets.com outlets at select Raley's stores. Prices range from $10-$65.
