An American in Paris (musical)
| An American in Paris | |
|---|---|
| A time of hope. A city of dreams. A love story for the ages. | |
|
2015 Broadway poster | |
| Music | George Gershwin |
| Lyrics | Ira Gershwin |
| Book | Craig Lucas |
| Basis | 1951 film An American in Paris |
| Premiere | 10 December 2014: Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris |
| Productions |
2014 Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris 2015 Broadway 2017 West End |
An American in Paris is a musical play inspired by the 1951 Academy Award winning film of the same name. It opened at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in April 2015, following an engagement at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Incorporating songs from George and Ira Gershwin, the book is by Craig Lucas. The musical won several Tony Awards.[1]
The Broadway production will close in October 2016. A US national tour opened in the autumn of 2016 in Boston, MA and a London production is scheduled to begin performances March 2017.
Plot
Struck by a mysterious girl and ready to rebuild his life at the end of World War II, an American soldier, Jerry Mulligan, decides to stay in Paris and nurture his passion for painting. With a little help from kindred soul seekers Adam Hochberg, a composer and fellow veteran; and Henri Baurel, the son of wealthy French industrialists and wannabe song and dance man, they imagine a future brighter than the atrocities they’ve recently witnessed.
When Jerry is reconnected with the mysterious girl—a stunning French ballerina named Lise Dassin—he seems certain that he made the right decision. That is, until he discovers that she is the very same woman Adam and he have been encouraging Henri to propose to.
Meanwhile, Jerry makes the acquaintance of a headstrong American philanthropist, Milo Davenport, who, struck by his talent and good looks, ushers him into the Paris art scene exploding with new life and post-war energy.
Lise struggles to choose between her obligations to Henri and what she thinks might be her true love for Jerry. As each man comes to terms with his own fate, it’s revealed that Lise is beholden to Henri because he and his family saved her life during the occupation. Both she and Henri realize that it is time to let go.
When the curtain falls on the opening night performance of a ballet that will allow Lise to claim her place as a free and accomplished artist in France, she realizes that she is meant to be with Jerry. They reunite at the River Seine and walk off into the Paris night.
Cast
| Character | Original Paris and Broadway Cast | Original London Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Jerry Mulligan | Robert Fairchild | |
| Lise Dassin | Leanne Cope | |
| Madame Baurel | Veanne Cox | TBC |
| Milo Davenport | Jill Paice | TBC |
| Adam Hochberg | Brandon Uranowitz | TBC |
| Henri Baurel | Max von Essen | TBC |
Productions
| Production | Venue/Location | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris, Pre-Broadway | Théâtre du Châtelet | December 10, 2014 | January 4, 2015 |
| Broadway | Palace Theatre | April 12, 2015 | October 9, 2016 |
| London | Dominion Theatre | March 21, 2017 | N/A |
Paris
An American in Paris opened at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, on December 10, 2014[2] and closed on January 4, 2015.[3]
Broadway
The musical opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on April 12, 2015, following an engagement at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Christopher Wheeldon directs and choreographs, with the cast led by Robert Fairchild, Leanne Cope, Veanne Cox, Jill Paice, Brandon Uranowitz and Max von Essen.
The creative team consists of Bob Crowley (sets and costumes) and Natasha Katz (lighting) as well as Jon Weston (sound) and 59 Productions (projections). The musical score is adapted, arranged and supervised by Rob Fisher, orchestrations are by Christopher Austin, dance arrangements by Sam Davis, musical supervision by Todd Ellison and musical direction by Brad Haak.[4] The show features songs by the Gershwins, including "I Got Rhythm", "Liza", "'S Wonderful", "But Not For Me", "Stairway to Paradise", as well as orchestral music including "Concerto in F", "2nd Prelude", "2nd Rhapsody", "Cuban Overture", and the title song, An American in Paris.
The production is expected to close on October 9, 2016. The US national tour will open in Boston in October 2016, starring Garen Scribner and Sara Esty.[5]
West End
A production will make its UK premiere in London's West End on March 21, 2017,[6] following previews from March 4, at the Dominion Theatre with Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope reprising their roles as Jerry and Lise.[7] It is currently booking until September 30, 2017.[8]
Musical numbers
From the Broadway production. Source: Internet Broadway Database[9]
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Awards
Nominations
An American in Paris was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical,[10] and eight Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical,[11] among others.
Wins
An American in Paris won four Tony Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, a Drama League Award, two Theatre World Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, three Fred and Adele Astaire Awards, and an Actors Equity Association "ACCA" Award.[12]
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Drama Desk Awards[13] | Outstanding Musical | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Robert Fairchild | Won | ||
| Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Leanne Cope | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Max von Essen | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Book of a Musical | Craig Lucas | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | Christopher Wheeldon | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Choreography | Won | |||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Bob Crowley | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Orchestrations | Christopher Austin | Won | ||
| Outstanding Projection Design | 59 Productions | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Set Design | Bob Crowley | Won | ||
| Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical | Jon Weston | Nominated | ||
| Drama League Awards[13] | Outstanding Production of a Musical | Won | ||
| Distinguished Performance | Leanne Cope | Nominated | ||
| Robert Fairchild | Nominated | |||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards[13] | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Won | ||
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Robert Fairchild | Won | ||
| Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Leanne Cope | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Max von Essen | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Choreography | Christopher Wheeldon | Won | ||
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | Won | |||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Natasha Katz | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Set Design | Bob Crowley | Nominated | ||
| Fred and Adele Astaire Awards | Best Female Dancer | Leanne Cope | Won | |
| Jill Paice | Nominated | |||
| Best Male Dancer | Robert Fairchild | Won | ||
| Best Choreographer | Christopher Wheeldon | Won | ||
| Tony Awards[13] | Best Musical | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor in a Musical | Robert Fairchild | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress in a Musical | Leanne Cope | Nominated | ||
| Best Featured Actor in a Musical | Brandon Uranowitz | Nominated | ||
| Max von Essen | Nominated | |||
| Best Book of a Musical | Craig Lucas | Nominated | ||
| Best Choreography | Christopher Wheeldon | Won | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume Design of a Musical | Bob Crowley | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Natasha Katz | Won | ||
| Best Orchestrations | Christopher Austin, Don Sebesky, and Bill Elliot | Won | ||
| Best Scenic Design of a Musical | Bob Crowley and 59 Productions | Won | ||
| 2016 | Grammy Awards | Best Musical Theater Album | Leanne Cope, Max Von Essen, Robert Fairchild, Jill Paice, Brandon Uranowitz, Rob Fisher & Scott Lehrer | Nominated |
See also
References
- ↑ "Tony Award Winners 2015".
- ↑ "Broadway-Bound An American in Paris Opens in Paris Tonight". Andrew Gans. www.Playbill.com. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ↑ "The French Go Crazy For 'An American In Paris'".
- ↑ Gans, Andrew (July 17, 2014). "An American in Paris Will Open at Broadway's Palace in 2015".
- ↑ Hetrick, Adam and Gans, Andrew. "Broadway’s 'An American in Paris' Will Close Earlier Than Planned" Playbill, July 26, 2016.
- ↑ "An American in Paris show to dance into West End in 2017". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
- ↑ Desk, BWW News. "Magnifique! Original Broadway Stars Robert Fairchild & Leanne Cope Will Lead AN AMERICAN IN PARIS in London". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
- ↑ "An American In Paris". londonboxoffice.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
- ↑ An American in Paris Songs" ibdb.com, accessed July 27, 2016
- ↑ "Tony Awards 2015 Nominations: An American in Paris, Fun Home Lead the Pack". cbsnews.com.
- ↑ Gans, Andrew (April 20, 2015). "Outer Critics Circle Nominees Announced". Playbill.com.
- ↑ "An American in Paris on Broadway - All Awards". An American in Paris on Broadway Official Website.
- 1 2 3 4 "An American in Paris". Broadway World. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
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