Farewell Ann Reinking

I was so sad to hear that Ann Reinking had passed away over the weekend. 

via tumbex

One of my favourite, more modern, films is All That Jazz, and a major reason why is the Fosse choreography and one of the women who understood the specificity and the jazz behind his movements: Ann Reinking. 

Here she is in my favourite routine from the movie, 'Everything Old is New Again,' a routine that's meant to look unvarnished and quickly-cobbled together but also manages to look so perfect and pristine: 

Ann was so in tune with her body and her movements. Look at the control here in the 'There'll Be Some Changes Made' routine.

via vogue

This routine is so technical and challenging, but Ann makes it look so easy. 

And, of course, the epic 10-minute finale, set in the stretched out moment where Joe Gideon passes on and his life flashes before his eyes in musical form.

via blueiskewl

Ann dances here in a spandex bodysuit with the circulatory system outlined all over it, but manages to make the routine look flashy and campy and just the thing a choreographer-director would arrange for his end-of-life performance.

(My favourite part? The section in the gif, around the 2:20 mark)

Rest in peace, Ann.