For any indication of how much ground the upcoming FX limited series “Fosse/Verdon” will cover, take a look at Sam Rockwell’s hairline. As the actor behind the first name in the show’s title, Rockwell plays Bob Fosse from the beginning of his storied directorial career, all the way through his longtime personal and professional partnership with legendary performer Gwen Verdon (Michelle Williams).
The trailer for the series below shows the evolution of that pairing, through the origins of their romance, all the way through the behind-the-scenes work that continued as their marriage hit various complications.
Beyond giving a first look at how “Fosse/Verdon” will depict the stage work that came from their collaboration, this sneak peek also goes into the making of “Cabaret,” one of the all-time great movie musicals. There’s Verdon in the editing room, giving advice to Fosse, who would go on to awards success and decades-long acclaim.
Not many of them pop up for more than a few frames, but the ensemble for “Fosse/Verdon” is packed with folks playing real-life counterparts. Margaret Qualley and Norbert Leo Butz round out the show’s core quartet, while the cast also features Aya Cash, Paul Reiser, and Nate Corddry.
Speaking recently to the Television Critics Association, series director executive producer (and one of the minds behind “Hamilton”) Thomas Kail said, “We felt like this was an opportunity for us examine the complexity of this particular love story, and examine how things are made, and examine the narrative of the lone genius and look at what’s happening where your eye’s not supposed to go.”
Watch the full trailer (including one of the smoothest bits of impromptu umbrella choreography you’ll see on basic cable) below:
“Fosse/Verdon” premieres April 9 on FX.