HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY BOB FOSSE! Pal Joey Backstage 1963

Celebrate with us the 90th birthday of an American dance theatre and film performance icon Robert Louis “Bob” Fosse born June 23, 1927.

Pictured above is a never before seen candid photograph from the Verdon Fosse Legacy LLC archives featuring Bob Fosse backstage in the acclaimed 1963 musical Pal Joey dressing room at City Center wearing terrycloth robe. Having verso glue residue and ink handwritten annotation reading "Pal Joey" measuring 7 1/2 x 8 inches overall. 

Pictured below are six a personally kept photographs from the Verdon Fosse Legacy LLC archives featuring Bob Fosse growing-up in Chicago, including early stage training and dance education, from age 6 to about 14 years.

Grade school snapshot photograph of "Bobbie Fosse" having "age 6 yrs" longhand penciled verso. According to sister Marianne Fosse, their mother seemed to remember this photo was taken the day her husband went to receive his Crossing Guard or school Safety Monitor belt, directing pedestrians. Slight folds, small edge tears, and surface wear or scratches present, measuring 3 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches overall.Promotional studio performance photograph negative stamped lower left "Theatrical Chicago" featuring Bob Fosse in dance pose with top hat single arm raised, being formal white bow tied with black tails holding corresponding cane, having longhand penciled verso annotations reading in-part "Fosse at age 9 in an imitation of Fred Astaire." Many folds, top margin red inked numbers, edge tears, and significant surface wear or scratches present, measuring 5 1/2 x 7 inches overall.

Candid middle school theater stage production black and white photograph of Bob Fosse on set at age 11 all smiles, costume dressed in white dinner jacket, with dark colored pocket square and bow tie.  One from a series of eight images. Slight surface wear or scratches present, measuring 5 1/2 x 7 inches overall.

Candid Polaroid snapshot photograph featuring a young Bob Fosse in first ballet position pose at dance studio bar in front with eight young girls following his lead. Having verso longhand written penciled annotation reading "12 yrs." Slight folds, surface wear, clear taped corners, and six staple puncture holes present, measuring 3 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches overall.

Candid Polaroid snapshot photograph featuring a young Bob Fosse and dance partner in studio performance. Having verso longhand written penciled annotation reading "rehearsals." Slight folds, one small tear, some surface wear, clear taped edges, and single puncture hole present, measuring 3 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches overall.

Small rectangular contact sheet trim front profile portrait of a young Bob Fosse most likely from a school photo shoot having longhand penciled annotation verso reading "yearbook" and numbered "272" in lower image margin. Good condition with slight surface wear, measuring 1 1/4 x 2 inches overall.