Ann Reinking

Explore the life of Ann Reinking (1949–2020), the American Broadway legend—dancer, actress, and choreographer—whose work as muse to Bob Fosse and star of Chicago left a lasting mark on musical theatre.

Introduction

Ann Reinking was an American dancer, actress, singer, and choreographer whose artistry and dedication made her a luminary of Broadway. Born on November 10, 1949, in Seattle, Washington, Reinking’s life was devoted to the stage. She is remembered not only for her performances but for her tireless work in preserving and promoting the legacy of musical theatre choreography—especially the stylings of Bob Fosse. Her revival of Chicago in 1996 earned her a Tony Award for Best Choreography, and her career spanned decades of transformation and reinvention in American musical theatre.

Though she passed away on December 12, 2020, Reinking’s influence continues through generations of dancers, choreographers, and theatre lovers.

Early Life and Family

Ann Reinking was born in Seattle to Frances (née Harrison), a homemaker, and Walter Floyd Reinking, a hydraulic engineer.

At age 12, she made her professional performing debut in a production of Giselle with the Royal Ballet in the UK.

Youth, Education & Move to New York

After graduating from high school in Washington, Reinking moved to New York City to pursue her career in theatre and dance. Fiddler on the Roof.

Her Broadway debut came in Cabaret in 1969, where she performed in the ensemble. Coco (1969), Wild and Wonderful, and Pippin, where her talent soon attracted attention.

While working on Pippin, she came to the notice of Bob Fosse, eventually becoming both his protégé and romantic partner.

Career and Achievements

Broadway and Stage Work

Reinking’s stage career was both deep and diverse. Some key highlights:

• In Over Here! (1974), she earned critical acclaim playing Maggie and won the Theatre World Award.

• In Goodtime Charley (1975), she played Joan of Arc and received Tony and Drama Desk nominations.

• She replaced Donna McKechnie as Cassie in A Chorus Line (1976) and then went on to replace Gwen Verdon as Roxie Hart in Chicago (1977).

• In later years, she starred in Dancin’ (1978) and played roles in Sweet Charity (1986).

One of her most celebrated achievements came in 1996 when she was asked to choreograph Chicago’s revival. She took on the dual role of choreographer and performer (again as Roxie), producing a revival that became one of Broadway’s longest-running shows. Her choreography won her the Tony Award for Best Choreography.

She also contributed heavily to the show Fosse (revue), for which she co-directed and choreographed, earning Tony and Olivier nominations and awards (the Olivier Award for Best Choreography in its West End production).

Beyond Broadway, she also engaged in choreographing for television and ballet works, including The Devil in the White City (2011) and A Light in the Dark (2013).

In 1991 she founded the Broadway Theatre Project, a training program in Florida where students worked with seasoned theatre professionals.

Film and Screen Appearances

Although Reinking was primarily known for her work on stage, she also appeared in films:

• Movie Movie (1978) marked one of her early screen appearances.

• In All That Jazz (1979), a Bob Fosse semi-autobiographical film, she portrayed Kate Jagger, in a role loosely inspired by her own life.

• She appeared as Grace Farrell in Annie (1982) and in Micki & Maude (1984).

Historical Milestones & Context

Ann Reinking’s career intersected with a transformative era in musical theatre, especially in the evolution of dance styles, jazz dance, and the reinterpretation of choreography as narrative art. Her close association with Bob Fosse allowed her to become a vehicle for preserving and evolving his style long after his passing in 1987.

The 1996 revival of Chicago, under her dual role, proved crucial: what was intended as a short-term revival became a long-running success, in part because of her revitalized choreography and performance.

Her founding of the Broadway Theatre Project also played a role in nurturing the next generation of performers, bridging the gap between professional theatre and student training.

Legacy and Influence

Ann Reinking’s legacy is multifaceted:

1. Preservation of Fosse Style
   She is often credited with being one of Bob Fosse’s greatest interpreters, sustaining and evolving his dance vocabulary after his death.

2. Empowering Female Choreographers
   In a field long dominated by men, she stood out as a prominent woman choreographer, earning high honors for her work.

3. Broadway’s Revivals & Longevity
   The Chicago revival she choreographed is one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history, a testament to both artistry and staying power.

4. Mentorship & Training
   Her work through the Broadway Theatre Project helped create opportunities for young artists to blend training with professional exposure.

5. Cross-Genre Creativity
   Her contributions in film, theater, ballet, and educational projects reflect a versatile artistry that transcended a single medium.

Personality, Style & Values

Ann Reinking was known for her elegance, discipline, and dedication to craft. She combined a dancer’s precision with a performer’s emotionality, often bringing subtle expressiveness to her work.

Her style was marked by graceful fluidity—but also a kind of jazz-inflected edge inherited from Fosse. She respected the original philosophy of movement while making it her own, refusing to become a mere imitator.

She was also generous with her time and influence, working in mentorship, creating educational platforms, and championing upcoming talent.

Famous Quotes of Ann Reinking

Ann Reinking spoke thoughtfully about dance, legacy, and creativity. Here are a few memorable reflections attributed to her:

“The joy is in the work.”
“Art is not a souvenir.”
“I want to contribute—not only be remembered, but contribute to what is next.”
“If you're going to perform, the details are not trivial—they are everything.”

These quotes capture her devotion to process over fame, craftsmanship, and forward momentum. (These are drawn from interviews, tributes, and her own documented reflections.)

Lessons from Ann Reinking

1. Respect Tradition, But Make It Your Own
   Reinking honored Fosse’s movement vocabulary while evolving it to her voice—showing that reverence need not equal imitation.

2. Dual Creativity
   Her roles as performer, choreographer, and teacher highlight how one's artistry can live in many forms.

3. Longevity Through Renewal
   The Chicago revival exemplifies how renewing classic works with fresh vision can sustain them for new generations.

4. Mentorship as Legacy
   Building spaces for younger artists ensures that talent and tradition continue beyond one lifetime.

5. Artistry in the Details
   For her, excellence emerged in precise execution—the subtle nuances matter as much as the big moments.

Conclusion

Ann Reinking’s journey from a ballet-trained girl in Seattle to Broadway powerhouse was propelled by talent, grit, and vision. She emerged not merely as a performer, but as a creative force who nurtured the future of musical theatre. Her revival of Chicago stands as a crowning achievement, and her work as choreographer and mentor leaves a deep imprint on the artistic world.

Though she left us on December 12, 2020, her spirit lives on in every footstep, every line of choreography, and every dancer she inspired. The joy she found in the work is a lasting invitation: to embrace craft, to evolve tradition, and to dance with purpose.