At a preview in
New Haven, the number's sharp, jazzy movements, thrusting hips, and
clever derby tricks stopped the show, confounding Abbott's vision of a
cohesive performance.
Luckily, Abbott's directing partner Jerome Robbins convinced him to leave the number in. The musical was an enormous success, and helped launch not only Fosse's legendary career but also Shirley MacLaine's. The soon-to-be Hollywood icon, then understudying the role of Gladys, played by Carol Haney, was thrust into the spotlight when accident-prone Haney broke her ankle while doing a jump in the dance number "The Jealousy Ballet."
John Raitt ...... Sid Sorokin
Janis Paige ...... Babe Williams
Ralph Dunn ...... Hasler
Eddie Foy, Jr. ...... Hines
Peter Gennaro ...... Worker
Carol Haney ...... Gladys Hotchkiss
Buzz Miller ...... 2nd Helper
Stanley Prager ...... Prez
Reta Shaw ...... Mabel
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