Ann Reinking

Ann Reinking (born November 10, 1949) is an American actress, dancer, and choreographer. She is well known for her creative and personal association with choreographer Bob Fosse.

Biography

Reinking was born in Seattle, Washington where she originally trained as a ballet dancer. She studied with Marian and Illaria Ladre, a professional ballet couple who had danced for years with the Ballets Russes which later became the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

Career

After working as a chorus girl in Coco, Wild and Wonderful, and Pippin, Reinking came to critical notice in the role of Maggie in Over Here! (Theatre World Award). Reinking went on to originate roles in Goodtime Charley (which won Tony Award and Drama Desk nominations) and Bob Fosse's Dancin' (Tony nomination). She also took over leads in Chicago, A Chorus Line, and Sweet Charity. After retiring from performance for several years, Reinking returned to the stage as Roxie Hart in the revival of Chicago and as a special guest in Fosse.

In 1979 Reinking appeared in Bob Fosse's semi-autobiographical film All That Jazz, in a role loosely based on her own life and relationship with Fosse. In the film, Reinking starred opposite Leland Palmer (playing a role inspired by Fosse's wife, Gwen Verdon), Jessica Lange, Ben Vereen, John Lithgow, and Roy Scheider as Joe Gideon (Bob Fosse). Reinking's long-term relationship with Fosse included their living together for many years before his death. She later starred in films such as Annie (as Grace Farrell) and Micki and Maude. In 1987 she guest starred on an episode of the top-rated NBC sitcom The Cosby Show.

Reinking next focused her career on choreography for Broadway musicals. She founded the Broadway Theater Project, a Florida training program connecting students with seasoned theater professionals. She won a Tony Award (for Best Choreography), Drama Desk Award, and even the Bob Fosse Award. In 1996, she was asked to create the choreography (in the style of 'Bob Fosse') for an all-star 4-night-only concert-staging of Chicago for City Center's annual Encores! Concert Series. After the producers could not snag a suitable actress for the role of Roxie Hart, Reinking agreed to reprise the role again after almost 20 years (she had replaced Gwen Verdon in the original Broadway production back in 1977). This concert-staging of Chicago was a such a huge hit that immediately producers were interested and a few months later, the production (in its concert-staging presentation) was brought to Broadway, along with its all-star cast: Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, Joel Grey, James Naughton and Marcia Lewis. In November 2008 the revival celebrated its 12th year on Broadway thus becoming the longest running (and most successful) Broadway revival in Broadway history.

In 1995 she choreographed the ABC TV movie version of the Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie, and continues to choreograph for regional theatre, television, film, etc.

In May 2005, the documentary film Mad Hot Ballroom was released. In it, Reinking was featured as one of the enthusiastic judges of the annual New York City public school dance competition for inner-city youth.

External links

• Ann Reinking at the Internet Broadway Database
• Ann Reinking at the Internet off-Broadway Database
• Ann Reinking at the Internet Movie Database
• Ann Reinking at movies.msn.com
• The Children of Theatre Street
• The Dance Magazine Awards (brief overview of Reinking's career)