8/8/26 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Joyce Ballet Festival Curated by Misty Copeland

By Walter Rutledge

What better way to conclude the Joyce Theater spring/summer 2026 season than with a ballet festival curated by dance treasure Misty Copeland. The two-week, fourteen performance series began Tuesday August 4 and runs through Sunday August 16. Two programs will be presented, one each week. Continue reading

8/3/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Danni Gee Talks Ballet Festival

By Walter Rutledge

The Joyce Ballet Festival returns to the Joyce’s Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium August 3 though August 16. Former American Ballet Principal Dancer Misty Copeland has curated a stellar festival featuring outstanding choreography performed by an impressive roster of world class artists. Each night will feel like a gala performance. Choreographers Kyle Abraham, Bob Fosse, Alonzo King, José Limón, Dwight Rhoden, Rudolf Nureyev, John Taras, Ingrid Silva, Houston Thomas and a new work by Aleisha Walker commissioned by the Joyce complete the roster – and that’s just the roster for the first week! Continue reading

7/3/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Bob Fosse Dances From Sweet Charity – The Rich Man’s Frug 

A perfect example of a Frug is found in the movie Sweet Charity, which contains a number called “The Rich Man’s Frug”, a wildly energetic dance number comprising three “movements” (“The Aloof”, “The Heavyweight” and “The Big Finish”) that showcases director Bob Fosse’s distinctive choreography style, particularly his creative use of unusual poses, gestures, and arm movement.

The Frug (pronounced “froog”) was a dance craze from the 1960s that evolved from another dance of the era, the Chicken. The Chicken, which featured lateral body movements, was used primarily as a change of pace step while doing the Twist. As young dancers grew more tired they would do less work, moving only their hips while standing in place. They then started making up arm movements for the dance, which prompted the birth of the Swim, the Monkey, the Dog, the Watusi, the Mashed Potato, and the Jerk. The Frug is sometimes referred to as the Surf, Big Bea, and the Thunderbird.

Bob Fosse dance numbers – The Rich Man’s Frug 

4/20/26 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Cell Block Tango – Chicago

Chicago

Chicago (2002) the musical comedy-drama film adapted from the satirical stage Bob Fosse musical of the same name. Both the movie and the stage play explore themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption in Jazz Age Chicago. The film stars Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere and Catherine Zeta-Jones and also features Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Christine Baranski, Taye Diggs, Colm Feore, Mya Harrison and Desmond Richardson.  Continue reading

4/5/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (Week Two)

By Walter Rutledge

The second week of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago began Tuesday March 31 and runs thru Easter Sunday, April 5th at the Joyce Theater. The two-week run offered two programs each running for six consecutive days and seven performances.  Week two features choreography by Aszure Barton, Bob Fosse, James Gregg and Matthew Rushing.  Continue reading

3/29/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago – Week One

By Walter Rutledge

The Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is presenting their New York City season from March 17th until Easter Sunday April 5th. The two-week season will offer two eclectic programs featuring a total of six works. The March season also marks the fifth anniversary of Artistic Director Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell historic tenure. Her 2021 appointment broke many glass ceilings as the first alumna, woman, and person of color to lead the organization. Continue reading

2/25/26 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Corbin Bleu Mein Herr (Broadway Backwards 2023)

Corbin Bleu performed an electrifying rendition of Mein Herr from the musical Cabaret at the 2023 Broadway Backwards benefit. Bleu opened the show, which took place on March 13, 2023, at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City.  Continue reading

8/18/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Sammy Davis Jr. – Daddy’s Lecture The Rhythm of Life (Sweet Charity 1969)

Sammy Davis Jr. plays Big Daddy in Sweet Charity, performing the iconic hit “Rhythm of Life” as Charity (Shirley MacLaine) and Oscar (John McMartin) join the strange new church! Continue reading

8/7/20 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Bob Fosse Documentary

Bob Fosse stunned the musical theatre world when he went from dance darling to world class choreographer and director. Continue reading

4/24/19 O&A NYC DANCE: Fosse- Ann Reinking and Ben Vereen

Fosse– A 2001 Broadway tribute to the work of Bob Fosse and dedicated to Gwen Verdon. Including appearances by Ann Reinking and Ben Vereen. Continue reading