The lights on Broadway would be lit dimmer and darker, with one of its best performers bidding adieu for the last time. Ann Reinking a Tony award-winning choreographer, actress, and performer in the musical theatre has passed away.
“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 on Monday.
The Dancer
She started her carrier in the Seattle Opera House production of ‘’Bye Bye Birdie”’ in 1965. From there she went on to be a part of the ‘’Cabaret” production in 1969 on Broadway.
Best known for playing Roxie Hart in 1977’s ‘’Chicago’’ replacing Gwen Verdon and returned to these in 1996 to the revival of the famed production. Reinking also did ‘’Sweet Charity’’ , ‘’Over Here!’’ and ‘’Goodtime Charley’’.
All that Jazz
She played herself in Bob Fosse’s 1979 autobiographical film ‘’All that Jazz’’. Ann essayed the role of the main character’s girlfriend and one of his muse.
She acted in movies like Movie Movie, All that Jazz, Annie, Micki+Maude, and television shows like Ellery Queen, The Andros Target, and The Cosby Show.
Her last Broadway production as a choreographer was ‘’An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin’’.
In 2001, she received an honorary doctorate from Florida State University for her contribution to arts.
She was nominated for the Tony several times in both Best Actress and Best Choreography category.
Reinking won the Tony Awards for Best Choreography, for her work on ‘’Chicago’’ in 1996.
In 2000, she was awarded the Oliver Award for Best Theatre Choreography for the West End Production of Fosse.
Reinking died in her sleep in a hotel room in Seattle, where she was visiting her family. The causer of death is unknown. She was 71 years old. She survived by her husband Peter Talbert and son Chris.
