Age 25 Gwen Verdon Broadway debut Alive and Kicking with Jack Cole, 1950
Alive and Kicking a "New Musical Revue" production opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on January 17, 1950 and closed on February 25, 1950, after 46 performances.
Gwen Verdon pictured in performance with famed choreographer Jack Cole. The above image is from an archival paper indexed reference file stamped "Fosse Verdon Archives" and according to the handwritten notes by Gwen Verdon verso, this particular image was published in Dance Magazine's April 1983 issue and was originally captured during the "Dove's Blues" an "East Indian" themed dance number from her 1950 Broadway debut show Alive and Kicking.
Below detail image of promotional handbill flyer top center picture and corresponding caption reading “Jack Cole and Dancer."
A two color printed paper herald titled "It's Great To Be Alive and Kicking" or promotional handbill flyer featuring Gwen Verdon and Jack Cole pictured top center having corresponding caption reading "Jack Cole and Dancer." Reading in part:
"As gay and exuberant as its title "Alive and Kicking" is a musical dedicated to youth, laughter, melody, color and motion. Robert Gordon who wielded the directorial baton so magnificently with fresh young talent as the director of "Call Me Mister" and "Inside U.S.A." is in charge of the youth department."
Gwen Verdon was age 24 in 1949 during the Alive and Kicking pre-Broadway tryout at the Shubert Theatre of Boston. Gwen Verdon also served as Jack Cole's assistant choreographer for the show.
"And motion has been excitedly handled by Jack Cole, who with his dancers will be the featured terpsichorean allure in the show as well as choreographer of the entire production."
"It's Great to be "Alive and Kicking."
Pictured above front cover of the original 1950 Alive and Kicking Playbill for the Winter Garden Theatre.
Pictured below program page from "ACT I" it would appear that Gwen Verdon's first live professional performance on Broadway was "I Didn't Want Him" the third production number in act one with "Lyrics by Leonard Gershe" "Music by Irma Jurist" "Sung by: June Brady" and "Danced by Jack Cole and Gwen Verdon."
