Gwen Verdon (Performer) | Playbill

Gwen Verdon

Performer, Choreographer

Among theatre professionals and theatregoers, Ms. Verdon's name was a byword for verve, sass and vivacity; "a gem of light-hearted but consecrated show business," as Harold Clurman put it. She was widely recognized as a rare, true triple-threat, equally adept at dancing, singing and acting. Her voice had a rough-hewn, grainy quality, but fans found her interpretations of some of musical theatre's most fetching songs ("Whatever Lola Wants," "If My Friends Could See Me Now," "Where Am I Going," "Roxie," "Nowadays") to be true originals, full of feeling.

Read Full Obituary
  • Born: Jan 13, 1925 in Culver City, California
  • Death: Oct 18, 2000 in Woodstock, Vermont

Roles (22)

Fosse Playbill - Opening Night, Jan 1999 Fosse
Opened January 14, 1999
  • Artistic Advisor
Fosse Playbill - Opening Night, Jan 1999
The 48th Annual Tony Awards Playbill - June 12, 1994 The 48th Annual Tony Awards - 1994
Opened June 12, 1994
  • as Participating Artist (Original)
The Tenth Man Playbill - Opening Night, Dec 1989 The Tenth Man
Opened December 10, 1989
  • Dance Consultant
Chicago Playbill - June 1975 Chicago
Opened June 03, 1975
  • as Roxie Hart (Original)
    Departed On Aug 07, 1975
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    Additional Dates

    • Sep 15, 1975 - Feb 05, 1977
The 27th Annual Tony Awards Playbill - Mar 25, 1973 The 27th Annual Tony Awards - 1973
Opened March 25, 1973
  • as Performer (Original)
The 26th Annual Tony Awards Playbill - Apr 23, 1972 The 26th Annual Tony Awards - 1972
Opened April 23, 1972
  • as Presenter (Original)
Children! Children! Playbill - March 1972 Children! Children!
Opened March 07, 1972
  • as Helen Giles (Original)
The 25th Annual Tony Awards Playbill - Mar 28, 1971 The 25th Annual Tony Awards - 1971
Opened March 28, 1971
  • as Performer (Original)
The 23rd Annual Tony Awards Playbill - Apr 20, 1969 The 23rd Annual Tony Awards - 1969
Opened April 20, 1969
  • as Presenter (Original)
Sweet Charity Playbill - May 1967 Sweet Charity
Opened January 29, 1966
  • as Charity (Original)
Redhead Playbill - Oct 1959 Redhead
Opened February 05, 1959
  • as Essie Whimple (Original)
New Girl in Town Playbill - Oct 7, 1957 New Girl in Town
Opened May 14, 1957
  • as Anna (Original)
Damn Yankees Playbill - May 1957 Damn Yankees
Opened May 05, 1955
  • as Lola (Original)
Damn Yankees Playbill - May 1957
Can-Can Playbill - May 1953 Can-Can
Opened May 07, 1953
  • as Claudine (Original)
  • as Eve (Original)
Can-Can Playbill - May 1953
Pb Listing Placeholder BROADWAY V4 Alive and Kicking
Opened January 17, 1950
  • as "Cole Scuttle Blues" Dancer (Original)
  • as "I Didn't Want Him" Dancer (Original)
  • as "Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer (Original)
  • as "One Two Three" Dancer (Original)
  • as "Propinquity" Dancer (Original)
  • as Abou's Wife (Original)
Pb Listing Placeholder BROADWAY V4 Magdalena
Opened September 20, 1948
  • Assistant Choreographer

Awards

Outer Critics Circle
1966 Outstanding Performance Winner
Theatre World Awards
1953 Theatre World Award Winner
Tony Award
1976 Best Actress in a Musical Nominee
1966 Best Actress in a Musical Nominee
1959 Best Actress in a Musical Winner
1958 Best Actress in a Musical Winner
1956 Best Actress in a Musical Winner
1954 Best Featured Actress in a Musical Winner
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