Grab your jazz shoes and get ready to dance into the unparalleled brilliance of Broadway’s own dynamo, Gwen Verdon! Born on 13 January 1925, this legendary force of nature graced musical theatre audiences with her magnetic presence and unparalleled talent. With a theatrical career that spanned decades, Verdon left an indelible mark on the Broadway stage in eight spectacular productions — including one musical revue and a play. But book musicals are where Verdon truly shone, and she earned a jaw-dropping six Tony Award nominations and an astounding four wins for her half-dozen performances in musicals on the Main Stem. This celebratory column commemorates the anniversary of Verdon’s birth by ranking the six shows that secured her place as a Broadway luminary. So, buckle up for a journey through the dazzling world of Gwen Verdon, where every step is a testament to her enduring legacy as a true queen of the stage.

6. New Girl in Town

New Girl in Town offers a fascinating but flawed adaptation of Eugene O’Neill’s classic play, Anna Christie. Bob Merrill’s score feels like a tentative attempt to bridge the gap between a Rodgers and Hammerstein-style musical play and a high-minded musical comedy. The result is a disjointed show – as if Merrill and book writer George Abbott were hesitant to fully commit to the darkly dramatic tone of the Pulitzer Prize-winning source material. One struggles to find the dramatic thrust of the plot and characters in the songs, which is one of the trademarks of any good musical, even though on paper the score works in tandem with the book to create the throughline of the piece. Despite these challenges, charming songs like “Flings,” emotional ballads like “It’s Good to Be Alive,” and the dreamy “Look at ‘Er” encapsulate the spirit and sense of humour of the 1950s. Each reminds us of the era’s distinct musical flavour in musical theatre terms and the way that darker and more taboo topics were cushioned at the time. In some ways, songs like “At the Farm” and “Sunshine Girl” almost feel Brechtian in their approach, but they lack the twist of the knife that makes the best Brechtian commentary so memorable. When considering the show today, it’s evident that an adaptation of Anna Christie would be approached very differently just a decade later – let alone in the twenty-first century! Nevertheless, Verdon’s exceptional performance is the saving grace of the show. Her ability to pull together everything and it all work is a testament to her talent. Alongside the capable support of Thelma Ritter, with whom she shared the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Verdon’s prowess shines through in this less successfully realised, yet still noteworthy, musical endeavour.

5. Redhead

Redhead is a Tony Award-winning show that claimed the top spot for Best Musical at the Tony Awards – but it’s essentially a show that is unrevivable in its original form. Redhead has never graced Broadway with a revival, a film adaptation or a stint on the West End and that is largely due to the unparalleled synergy between Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse, whose work onstage and behind the scenes managed to overshadow the show’s inherent flaws. Dorothy Fields, Herbert Fields, Sidney Sheldon and David Shaw’s book, a murder mystery set in a waxworks museum in Victorian England, is convoluted in its plotting, and the score is overly reliant on novelty numbers, ultimately providing little more than a canvas for Verdon’s star turn and Fosse’s innovative staging ideas. The overture summarises the musical perfectly, with a thrilling opening that descends into generic Broadway show tunes and Music Hall songs by Albert Hague that aren’t particularly memorable. That said, one aspect of the show that really works is Dorothy Fields’s lyrics – starting with this gem from the opening number – ‘You’ll see much more gore than they saw at Elsinore / If you tap tap tap on the Simpson sisters’ door’ – and moving on up from there!

4. Can-Can

Next up in our retrospective of Gwen Verdon’s musicals is Can-Can which is a jolly 1950s show, solid without behind transcendent. Penned by Abe Burrows, the book held the potential to rival the brilliance of Guys and Dolls with its story of attractive dancers and self-righteous law enforcers in Montmartre in the naughty Nineties, but Burrows fell short in weaving the same level of skill and magic into his plotting and character work. The saving grace lies in Cole Porter’s score, which boasts classic songs like “Never Give Anything Away,” “C’est Magnifique,” “Come Along with Me,” and “I Love Paris.” The absence of a poignant ballad akin to “So In Love” from “Kiss Me, Kate” leaves a void, even though Porter attempts to fill it with the heartfelt “I Am in Love” and “It’s All Right With Me.” In the end, “Allez-Vous-En” probably comes closest to the real thing. The true star of the show, however, is Michael Kidd’s choreography, with everyone at the time unanimously praising Gwen Verdon’s spectacular execution of his thrilling dance steps. Verdon’s prowess extends to the comic love duet, “If You Loved Me Truly,” where her chemistry with Hans Conried shines through on the enjoyable cast recording. Despite some shortcomings, Can-Can provided Cole Porter one of his lengthiest Broadway runs, with the show’s success stretching to the West End and a film adaptation that made several alterations to the story and song stack without enhancing the overall experience at all.

3. Damn Yankees

Securing the third spot in the countdown of Gwen Verdon’s musical triumphs is the devilishly delightful Damn Yankees. The classic 1950s romp, brought to life by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop’s witty and entertaining book, remains a timeless spectacle that can still captivate audiences today in the right hands. The show cleverly spins the Faustian tale into the world of 1950s American baseball, where the deal with the devil unfolds. Richard Adler and Jerry Ross contribute a memorable score, featuring Broadway standards like “Heart” and the seductively catchy “Whatever Lola Wants,” along with toe-tapping numbers such as “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo.,” “A Little Talent,” “Two Lost Souls,” and “Those Were the Good Old Days.” Verdon’s brilliance shines through in her captivating performance, immortalized on film, where she effortlessly transforms even the smallest gesture into pure magic. In her hands, a novelty number like “Who’s Got The Pain?” turns into a showstopper. (In the film version, she is partnered with Bob Fosse, who choreographed both the show and film.) For those who don’t remember Verdon primarily as a singer, her delivery on the original cast recording sparkles with style and mastery. Damn Yankees enjoyed immense success in its original Broadway run, a 1994 revival and a 2008 Encores! run that appeased those hesitant about the revival’s “revisal” approach. Its widespread triumph extended to a short stint in London’s West End, a film adaptation and a television movie, solidifying its status as a cherished classic.

2. Sweet Charity

In the pantheon of Gwen Verdon’s illustrious musical career, Sweet Charity takes a well-deserved silver medal. It is a delightful and poignant exploration of life through the lens of the vivacious taxi dancer Charity Hope Valentine. Rooted in its 1960s origins, the show’s existential undertones remain surprisingly relevant, with Charity emerging as a compelling contemporary figure. Neil Simon’s comedic genius, infused with a touch of heart, shines through in the book, creating a perfect balance of laughter and emotion. The score, a collaborative masterpiece by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, boasts timeless classics such as the ever-popular “Big Spender,” the choir staple “The Rhythm of Life,” and gems like “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This,” “Where Am I Going?” and “I’m a Brass Band.” Sweet Charity is a modern fairy tale, an underrated diva musical that deserves more of a spotlight. The production has seen two Broadway revivals, two successful runs in the West End, and a film adaptation by director-choreographer Bob Fosse that deserves more widespread love and respect than it has received. Verdon, who played the titular character in the original Broadway production, is an ideal Charity and used the role to showcase her impeccable comedy chops, vulnerability, emotional range, dance prowess, and heartfelt, no-holds-barred singing. Sweet Charity stands as a testament to Verdon’s unparalleled talent and the enduring allure of this enchanting musical masterpiece.

1. Chicago 

At the zenith of Gwen Verdon’s musical triumphs is Chicago, a timeless masterpiece that exudes an exuberant and sly charm. Premiering in 1975 with a lush design, the show ran for an impressive 936 performances – but it may have been a little ahead of its time, some say. The 1996 revival adopted a leaner aesthetic (sorry, pearl-clutchers, the black togs are actually costumes whether you like it or not!), but it boasts over 10 000 performances so far – only the second musical in Broadway history to do so. The tale unfolds around the merry murderesses of the show’s eponymous city, led by the audacious Roxie Hart, who cunningly leverages her scandalous crime into a ticket to show business fame. Presented in a vaudeville-inspired performance, the narrative offers a light satire on our societal inclination to consume and promote ideologies through the media, even while considering them immoral in our daily lives. John Kander and Fred Ebb’s score is a Broadway classic, featuring unforgettable numbers like “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” “All I Care About,” and the infectious “Hot Honey Rag.” Verdon’s tenacious advocacy for the show culminated in a majestic final debut Broadway role for her, solidifying her status as a queen of the stage. A pivotal force behind the show’s success was Bob Fosse’s visionary guidance, with the revival’s choreography masterfully executed in his style by Ann Reinking, who alongside Verdon has been responsible for curating and preserving his work. The global success of Chicago, spanning productions around the world and a film adaptation that clinched the Academy Award for Best Picture, attests to its enduring appeal – a show that truly  delights every time.

That’s all, Broadway aficionados! As we take a final bow in this celebration of Gwen Verdon’s unparalleled contributions to the world of musical theatre, the stage is ablaze with the echoes of her sensational performances. It’s clear that Verdon wasn’t just a star – she was a constellation, casting her brilliance across the Broadway sky. As we reflect on her legacy on what would have been her 99th birthday, it’s evident that Verdon’s artistry endures, a timeless dance that continues to captivate and inspire. So, here’s to the woman who twirled her way into our hearts, leaving an everlasting imprint on the soul of musical theatre. Gwen Verdon, your spotlight will forever burn bright on the stages of our memories.