American burlesque is a genre of variety show. Derived from elements of Victorian burlesque, musical hall and minstrel shows, burlesque shows in America became popular in the 1860s and evolved to feature ribald comedy (lewd jokes) and female stripteases. By the early 20th century, burlesque in America was presented as a populist blend of satire, performance art, music hall and adult entertainment.

Fosse choreographed the 1954 show, Pajama Game, which was directed by George Abbott. Fosse's signature style, which incorporated complex moves and imagery drawn from vaudeville, was instantly popular. Pajama Game earned him his first Tony Award for Best Choreography.

His next musical, Damn Yankees, was another smash. Fosse forged a working relationship with leading dancer Gwen Verdon that would span his career. The two married in 1960 and had a daughter, Nicole.

Hugely successful by 1960, Fosse still faced opposition from director and producers who considered his material was too suggestive. He decided to take on the role of director as well as choreographer in order to maintain the integrity of his artistic vision in Hollywood as well as on Broadway. His subsequent musicals included Sweet Charity, Cabaret and Pippin. The 1972 film version of Cabaret (1972) won eight Academy Awards. Fosse won Tony Awards for direction and choreography for his work on Pippin: His Life and Times (1981). He also won an Emmy for his staging of the television variety show Liza with a Z (1972).

Later Life

Fosse wrote three additional stage musicals before his death. He survived a heart attack, suffered during rehearsals for Chicago, to write and choreograph the autobiographical film All That Jazz. His later productions were not as successful as earlier work. Big Deal, Fosse's last musical, was particularly poorly received.

Fosse suffered a heart attack in Washington, D.C., outside of the Willard Hotel on September 23, 1987, and died before reaching the hospital. Fosse remains one of the most distinctive and influential choreographers in history, remembered through Broadway revivals and screenings of his work.