Broadway Bound: Get Whisked Away to the City of Love in 'An American in Paris'
Nora Dominick ‘17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
An American in Paris tells the story of World War II veteran, Jerry Mulligan, who begins his new life as a painter in Paris after the war. He soon meets a fellow ex-pat, Milo Davenport. She is a wealthy American with a mysterious past. When she sees some of Jerry’s painting on the side of a street they become fast friends. Jerry’s life soon becomes much more complicated when he spots Lise, a young French girl with her share of secrets. Jerry soon begins to fall madly in love with Lise, however when his close friends, Adam and Henri, begin to vie for Lise’s love Jerry must do everything he can to prove he is the right choice for her.
Based on the Academy Award winning movie, An American in Paris is a logical choice for a musical. The movie became famous due to the outstanding choreography and dancing by Gene Kelly. The movie is interspersed with dance numbers set to some of Gershwin’s iconic and beloved music. The most amazing scene comes when Kelly and Leslie Caron, who plays Lise, perform a breathtaking sixteen-minute ballet dance set to Gershwin’s classic An American in Paris. With such a musical background in the movie, it’s about time this quintessential musical movie ventured to Broadway.
An American in Paris will open for a limited run at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris from Nov. 22, when previews begin, to December 10. The musical will play at the Palace Theatre and will replace the very short run of Holler If Ya Hear Me, which closed after only 78 regular performances in July 2014.
Coming off a Broadway season filled with adaptations such as Rocky, Aladdin and Big Fish, this musical fits perfectly into the “new Broadway.” In recent years, Broadway has begun to cling to adaptation musicals and An American in Paris will hopefully be a perfect addition to this genre.
An American in Paris will see the Broadway debut of its two principal characters. Robert Fairchild will play Jerry Mulligan. He may not have made it onto a Broadway stage however; he is no stranger to the spotlight. Fairchild is known for his dazzling work in the New York City Ballet Company. He slowly worked his way up through the company and became a principal dancer in 2009. With Fairchild’s extensive dance background he perfectly suits the role Gene Kelly made so iconic. Joining Fairchild is Leanne Cope who will take on the role of Lise. Cope is also making her Broadway debut. She comes from an extensive background in the Royal Ballet in London and became a First Dancer for the company in 2009. Her irresistible ballet style will have audiences in awe as she moves around the stage opposite Fairchild. Both of these marvelous dancers should have no problem turning their ballet talents into a Broadway sensation.
Also in the cast are Broadway vets, Jill Paice as Milo Davenport, and Max von Essen as Henri. Paice is known for her role as Miss Honey in Matilda the Musical as well as smaller roles in 39 Steps and Curtains. Max von Essen is known for his roles in Les Miserables, the recent revival of Evita, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Brandon Uranowitz, who made his Broadway debut in the 2011 musical Baby It’s You!, will take on the role of Adam and Veanne Cox (La Cage aux Folles and The Dinner Party) will round out the cast as Madame Baurel.
The musical adaption has book by Craig Lucas (The Light in the Piazza) and is keeping with the original lyrics and music by Ira and George Gershwin. The creative team will also include Christopher Wheeldon, who will act as the director and the choreographer. Wheeldon previously worked on the Broadway musical, Sweet Smell of Success as the choreographer. This is his first turn at directing on Broadway, however due to the nature of the film it makes sense to have the choreographer also direct.
With a Broadway season filled with Broadway veterans like Kristin Chenoweth, James Earl Jones, Kelli O’Hara, Annaleigh Ashford, and Tony Danza, will An American in Paris make a splash or crack under the pressure? The dancing alone could carry this musical, but is that enough in this day and age of Broadway? Only time will tell. In the meantime, Paris is ready to be transported to the Palace Theatre this spring
An American in Paris begins preview performances at The Palace Theatre in NYC on March 13, 2015 with opening night scheduled for April 12, 2015.
For future ticketing and additional information visit http://americaninparisonbroadway.com/ or http://www.broadway.com/