Photo by Angela Sterling
To celebrate the final week of An American in Paris at Broadway's Palace Theatre, we're making this dance-infused spectacle our #ShowOfTheWeek... "'S Wonderful!", isn't it?!
As the Brits get ready to welcome those two lovebirds Jerry Mulligan and Lise Dassin with open arms to their new home of the Dominion Theatre in London's West End next March, let's just take a few last moments to savour the romance on the Great White Way. Packed with more than a handful of timeless George and Ira Gershwin classics and directed and choreographed by talented Tony winner Christopher Wheeldon, the show is a real treat for all those who truly appreciate the art of dance. Sadly this is an element of the Broadway musical which is often overlooked or frequently plays second fiddle to the vocals. With this marvellous ensemble cast of dancers, it is proudly front and centre. Mr Wheeldon rightfully took home the Tony for "Best Choreography" at last year's Tony Awards, and on top of that, the production was able to pick up a further three Tonys for "Best Orchestrations," "Best Scenic Design of a Musical" and "Best Lighting Design of a Musical."
Tony winners Natasha Katz and Bob Crowley (with the help of projections provided by 59 Productions) have done a gorgeous job of creating an onstage effect that resembles a watercolour painting coming to life right before your very eyes. The stylised sets and dreamily romantic lighting suck you into the painting and make you wish you could be one of its depicted lovers.
Based on the 1951 Academy Award-winning film, which starred Gene Kelly, Craig Lucas' book may be considered secondary to the Gershwins' score and Wheeldon's choreography, but there will be at least one character you identify with in the cast. Mine was Tony nominee Max von Essen's heartfelt performance as Henri Baurel. But they all got rhythm, as they say.
Seeing actors fall in love through the medium of dance was one of the most artistically moving experiences I've had in a long time and although An American in Paris will play its final Broadway performance this coming Sunday, "They can't take that away from me."
Click here for tickets to An American in Paris through to 9 October 2016 at Broadway's Palace Theatre.
Leanne Cope & Dimitri Kleioris in An American in Paris More Production PhotosOriginally published on