An American in Paris

Updated: May 29, 2023

Book by Craig Lucas

Music & Lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin

Director & Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon

Photographs Darren Thomas

Theatre Royal until July 3

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP

At the end of World War II, American serviceman, Jerry Mulligan has a dream of making a living as an artist in Paris. He meets and befriends New Yorker and pianist, Adam Hochberg who is working with Henri Baurel (Sam Ward), an aspiring singer from a rich French family that is influential in the arts in Paris. Add a petite, attractive and shy ballerina named Lise Dassin and Milo Davenport (Ashleigh Rubenach), a wealthy American benefactor, and you have a love pentangle.

With the involvement of The Australian Ballet, Director and Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon has a wealth of talent at his disposal and he spares none of it. At one point he has Robbie Fairchild, as Jerry Mulligan, executing an enchaînement of stage-devouring fouettés that received rapturous applause from the excited audience. In fact, all of the principals and ensemble cast members are expectedly excellent dancers.

You’ll see and hear such Gershwin favourites as I Got Rhythm, The Man I Love, ’S Wonderful and They Can’t Take That away From Me. There’s even a nod to The Andrews Sisters.

After seeing the show, I felt compelled to have a look at the original 1951 movie and will admit to being far more engaged in this stage production than the original cinematic version.

That stated, it was apparent that the film had some influence. As Lise, the hugely talented Leanne Cope is much like Leslie Caron and as Adam, Jonathan Hickey is very similar to Oscar Levant’s depiction, right down to the haircut and the comedic timing.

Choreography and misdirection allow for Bob Crowley’s large set flats to be moved around effortlessly. Scene and mood changes are seamless.

As well as being brilliant from a dance perspective, the principals are also outstanding singers.

Supporting the leads are Anne Wood as Madame Baurel and David Whitney as Monsieur Baurel. Put an orchestra in the Theatre Royal pit and you have a complete show that doesn’t have any slow bits. I particularly enjoyed the old Hollywood/Rockettes routine that popped with the audience in a big way.

An American in Paris changed my mind about ballet dancers being able to sing and act. It's been years since I've seen so many triple threats and powerful calf muscles on stage at the one time. This production is slick, glamorous and is world class in its professionalism. It’s definitely one of the finest, most enjoyable productions of the year.

https://www.theatreroyal.com.au