Her work on “Chicago” earned her a 1997 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. Reinking replicated its choreography in productions throughout the world England, Australia, Austria, Sweden, the Netherlands and elsewhere. She was portrayed by Margaret Qualley in the recent FX series “Fosse/Verdon.”
The musical’s revival was first done in a concert version at City Center’s “Encores” series in 1996 and then moved to Broadway, where in 2011 it became the second longest-running show in Broadway history.
Credit: AP
FILE - Ann Reinking holds her Tony Award for best choreography for the musical Chicago at the 51st annual Tony Awards on June 1, 1997, in New York. Reinking, the Tony Award-winning choreographer, actress and Bob Fosse collaborator who helped spread a cool, muscular hybrid of jazz and burlesque movement to Broadway and beyond, has died. She was 71. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
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Ann Reinking, the US Broadway actress, dancer and Tony Award-winning choreographer, has died aged 71.
Reinking portrayed Roxie Hart in the hit crime musical, Chicago, in 1977.
The news of her death was confirmed by her sister-in-law Dahrla King on Monday. The world and our family have lost a vibrant, amazing talent and beautiful soul. Ann was the heart of our family and the life of the party, her family said in a statement. We will miss her more than we can say, they added. Heaven has the best choreographer available now. I m sure they are dancing up a storm up there!
Ann Reinking, Tony-Winning Choreographer And Actress, Dead At 71
Reinking was known for her bold style of dance epitomized by her work in the revival of the Kander and Ebb musical “Chicago.
MARK KENNEDY
NEW YORK (AP) Ann Reinking, the Tony Award-winning choreographer, actress and Bob Fosse collaborator who helped spread a cool, muscular hybrid of jazz and burlesque movement to Broadway and beyond, has died. She was 71.
Reinking died Saturday while visiting family in Seattle, said her manager, Lee Gross. No cause of death was disclosed.
Tributes poured in from the Broadway community, including from Tony Yazbeck, who called her “an absolute inspiration” and Leslie Odom, Jr., who thanked Reinking for being a mentor: “She honored the calling for real. RIP to a legend.” Bernadette Peters took to Twitter to say her heart was broken and Billy Eichner said she was “one of the most mesmerizing people I’ve ever seen on stage. A singular genius. RIP.”
The Seattle native was the muse of late choreographer Bob Fosse and collaborator
Reinking was visiting family in Washington state when she died in her sleep, her sister-in-law Dahrla King told Variety
She is best known for portraying Roxie Hart in 1977 s Broadway production of Chicago replacing Gwen Verdon and also reprised the role in the 1996 revival
Reinking in the 1996 revival of Chicago played Roxie and also was the choreographer and won the Tony Award for Best Choreography
She also was the co-creator, co-director and co-choreographer of the Fosse musical that opened on Broadway in 1999 and showcased choreography of the late Fosse who had a romantic relationship with his muse Reinking
Actress, Dancer, Choreographer Ann Reinking Dies At 71
Chicago in 1997, died on Saturday, her family said in a statement.
Richard Drew / AP
Tony-winning legend and dance icon Ann Reinking died on Saturday, family members confirmed to news outlets on Monday. She was 71. The world and our family have lost a vibrant, amazing talent and beautiful soul. Ann was the heart of our family and the life of the party, her family said in a statement, as reported by
Variety. She was visiting our brother in Washington state when she went to sleep and never woke up. We will miss her more than we can say. Heaven has the best choreographer available now. I m sure they are dancing up a storm up there! Annie, we will love and miss you always!!!